Community Therapy and psychic distress in the family system: an approach based on the new paradigm of science

Abstract

The scope of this study was to analyze the behavior patterns adopted by family members dealing with individuals in psychological distress within the scope of the relationships established in the family system, after participating in Community Therapy sessions. It was based on research with a qualitative approach using the research-action-intervention method. The intervention used centered around twelve Community Therapy sessions. Ten family members of people in psychological distress monitored by a Psychosocial Care Center took part in the study. Field notebook records, videos obtained with the tapes of the Community Therapy sessions, the interview material and Community Therapy itself were used as the empirical material production technique. The study revealed that the family members’ understanding of psychological distress could be transformed as they attributed new meanings and performed fundamental actions to balanced living in the family. Community Therapy was seen as a practice that facilitated changes in the lives of its participants, as it contributed to generate social and individual interactions that stimulated family members to rethink concepts and to create spaces of coexistence and human and respectful care that permeated the family unit.