The therapeutic relationship in a systemic perspective. Epistemological considerations on a current debate

Abstract

Authors underline that the therapeutic relationship problem in a systems pers¬pective fits in today with the important epistemological renewal which involves the systemic field. After examining the basic aspects of this renewal process, authors particularly dwell on the observer/observed problem in the therapeutic relationship. They criticize the extrem tendencies of some theories (the so called "radical constructivism"), that risk to close observer/therapist in a solipsistic subjectivity, and instead they propose a ''co-constructivistic'' view, that mountains the cognitive and emotio¬nal cooperation between the therapist and the observed system in construing the therapeutic reality, and keeps, in the same time the complexity of the therapeutic relationship.