Systemic therapy vs. systemic coaching: What are the differences?

“Does the whole family have to come along?” A question I’m often asked as a systemic coach and trainer.

More and more people are discovering the power of systemic work. Whether it’s personal development, relationship issues, or work-related challenges, systemic approaches help us recognize patterns and dynamics.

Both systemic therapy and systemic coaching look at the broader context in which a person operates, such as family systems, organizations, or cultural structures. Yet the two differ in their approach.

In this blog, I’ll share my perspective on the pros and cons of both methods. Not to favor one over the other, but to help you determine which one best suits your needs.

Similarities between systemic therapy and systemic coaching

Both methods:
 Are based on the idea that problems or issues are not separate from the context in which a person finds themselves.
 Look at the underlying causes of behavior and patterns rather than just the symptoms.
 Work with systemic principles, such as loyalties, hidden dynamics, and recurring patterns.

Nevertheless, there are fundamental differences in how they are applied.

What is systemic therapy?

Systemic therapy (also known as family therapy or relationship therapy) is a form of psychotherapy in which not only the client but often also his or her relationships and family context are included in the treatment. The focus is often on recognized psychological issues and trauma.

The approach typically involves conversations, reflection, genograms (family diagrams), and sometimes creative activities, using a primarily verbal and analytical approach. This approach aims to improve communication, break destructive patterns, and restore connections.

Characteristics of systemic therapy:

 Qualified therapists: Systemic therapy is typically provided by a psychotherapist or systemic therapist with recognized training.
 Mental health issues: Often focused on families, couples, or individuals with recognized mental health problems or trauma.
 Reimbursement: May be covered by basic health insurance with a referral from a primary care physician, depending on the diagnosis and the provider.

Benefits of systemic therapy:

 Professional expertise: Therapists have completed an accredited training program and are also able to recognize and treat mental disorders.
 Scientifically proven: The therapy is often scientifically proven and is supported by research and guidelines.
 Multidisciplinary collaboration: Systemic therapists often work with other healthcare providers, such as primary care physicians or psychiatrists, which can contribute to an integrated approach.

Disadvantages of systemic therapy:

 Mandatory participation: It is often expected that the entire family or key stakeholders will participate, which is not always desirable or possible.
 Less accessible: Due to the high training and licensing requirements, systemic therapy may be less accessible to people without formal health insurance or who are not eligible for reimbursement.
 Systemic therapy often emphasizes conversations and the analysis of patterns, which may not always align with the needs or preferences of some clients.

What is systemic coaching?

Systemic coaching is a form of guidance that uses systemic principles to gain insight into patterns and dynamics. Issues may relate to personal development, work-related matters, family patterns, as well as trauma or health issues.

Systemic coaching often involves creating spatial constellations, in which representatives (people or objects) help to make underlying dynamics visible and tangible. The approach is more experience-oriented and intuitive. It focuses on observing and sensing what is happening. This often creates movement in entrenched patterns.

Characteristics of systemic coaching:

 Focus on awareness: Aimed at healing and gaining new perspectives.
 Constellations: Often works with systemic constellations, such as family constellations, nutrition constellations, table constellations, and organizational constellations.
 Flexibility: Can be applied individually, in groups, or within organizations.

Benefits of systemic coaching:

 Accessible and flexible: No diagnosis is required, making it more accessible.
 Emotion- and experience-oriented: Often works directly with feelings and the body, using constellations and other methods.
 Room for intuition and creativity: The approach can be tailored to whatever arises in the moment.

Disadvantages of systemic coaching:

 Less scientifically supported: Unlike systemic therapy, systemic coaching is less scientifically supported..
Quality and experience vary: Because there are no mandatory certifications or supervision, quality and effectiveness can vary greatly.*
 The costs often have to be paid out of pocket. Sometimes employers or health insurance plans may contribute, but this depends on the situation and the terms and conditions.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

A variation on systemic therapy and systemic coaching is Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Internal Family Systems is a systemic psychotherapy grounded in neuroscience. It posits that an individual’s personality consists of different “parts” or inner voices, each of which has its own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

IFS focuses on recognizing, understanding, and restoring the interaction between these parts, with special attention to feeling through and healing damaged or entangled parts of the personality.

Differences between IFS and systemic therapy or coaching

Instead of focusing on the external family or systems, IFS focuses on a person’s internal system. This is a key difference from systemic therapy, which emphasizes the interactions and dynamics within an external system, such as a family or a relationship.

Unlike IFS, systemic coaching often uses constellations to explore patterns and dynamics within external systems and, at times, internal systems as well.

Which one should you choose: IFS, a systemic coach, or a therapist?

What works best for you depends on your situation and preferences. To help you make a decision, it may be helpful to contact a therapist or coach beforehand.

Schedule an introductory meeting to learn about their approach and see if you click. Check their references and ask, for example, about their experience, their specific methods, and whether they have experience dealing with the issues you’re facing.

Does it feel right? Do you trust the person and their approach? Systemic work requires openness and a sense of safety, and those can only develop if you feel comfortable with the person guiding you.

Intuition plays an important role here. Sometimes you immediately sense that something feels right, even though you can’t quite put it into words yet. Or, conversely, it may seem to make sense rationally, but something just doesn’t sit right. That’s valuable information. In my blog post on intuitive intelligence I’ll delve deeper into how you can use your intuition when making these kinds of choices.

Conclusion

Systemic therapy, systemic coaching, and IFS share a systemic perspective: they look at the bigger picture and underlying dynamics.

While systemic therapy is primarily verbal and diagnostically oriented and takes place within the mental health care system, systemic coaching is freer, more intuitive, and experiential. IFS falls somewhere in between: with a systemic and psychotherapeutic approach, it focuses on the inner system of parts rather than the external context.

Trust your instincts and choose the guidance that’s best for you. Ultimately, it’s not just the method that makes the difference, but above all the connection with the coach. That connection creates a sense of safety, trust, and the space to truly delve into what needs to be seen.

* Quality assurance in systemic coaching begins with the coach themselves. This requires the coach to engage in deep inner work: exploring and integrating their own shadow aspects and unresolved issues. This is often part of a multi-year training program. Because the coach is aware of projections and unconscious dynamics, they can provide a safe and supportive foundation for the client’s process. Read more in the blog: How we ensure quality in constellations and systemic work.

Inspiration: Familieopstellingen en systeemtherapie, gescheiden werelden? Auteur: Margaherita Tinti

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ir. Marieke de Zwaan
Keynote spreker voeding 5D, systemisch coach & trainer