Contextual therapy is a nondirective form of therapy that, through promotion of
mutual understanding and trust, fosters a dialogue between family members and, hence,
makes change possible. This school of therapy was founded by Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy in an
attempt to integrate the findings of psychoanalysis,
existential philosophy, systems theory,
and ethics. His central thesis is that disturbances in individuals and families are an
expression and consequence of an imbalance in giving and taking, entitlement and
fulfillment, particularly in the realm of caring. Contextual therapy tries to
balance the given ledger of merits and demerits by establishing
a sense of mutual responsibility. The therapeutic dimension attempts to do justice not
only to the external facts but also to the psychology
of the individual, the patterns of transaction, and, above all, the integrity of the
interpersonal relationships.*
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*Extracted with permission from Simon, Fritz et al Language of Family
Therapy - A Systemic Vocabulary and Source Book (Family Process Press Series)
Paperback 1985 Family Process, Inc.
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