Systems-Centered Theory (SCT) into Group Therapy: Beyond Surviving Ruptures to Repairing and Thriving

As a theory-based practice, systems-centered therapy (SCT) posits that integrating differences is essential for development and transformation. Ruptures over differences that are "too different" are inevitable in groups. Importantly, when ruptures are not repaired, groups fixate in survival. SCT groups use functional subgrouping to develop a secure context for repairing ruptures in the here-and-now and integrating differences. This article presents theory, examples, and transcripts demonstrating how functional subgrouping repairs ruptures and how SCT's person-as-a-system theory guides its work with ruptures by weakening past survivor roles as they are repeated in the present: enabling ruptures to be repaired within and between the person, group members, leaders, and the whole group, rather than repeating past roles that if not undone inhibit development and lead to ruptures in the present.