Encouraging the Local Relationships That Build Solidarity: Thinking Systemically About Family Therapy and Climate Change

Abstract

As citizens and practitioners, climate change has important implications. This contribution attempts to ‘work the loop’ between the personal and the professional in a systemic account of the relationship between family therapy and climate change. The account begins with a practical question: How should practitioners formulate presentations where immediate environmental disaster, or the prospect of progressive degradation, is a key feature? Acknowledging the profound meaning of climate change, three fields are developed. First, data are presented on the two contrasting understandings of health and well-being that appear immediately relevant. Second, the mainstream understanding of the self is contrasted with a systemic view of the self. Third, the research undertaken by social epidemiology on the importance of personal relationships is summarised. It is argued that this research affirms the mission family therapy has traditionally served: to assist those we work for build ethical and reliable connections. In concluding, an affirming recommendation is put forward: in the context of climate change, the discipline's unique contribution to relationship-building makes this service especially important.