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The Super Bowl is more than just a football game—it’s a cultural event that brings people together, sparks emotions, and showcases teamwork at its finest. If we take a step back and look at the game through a systemic lens, we can see how football and family therapy have more in common than we might think. Like a great football team, families function best when they have strong leadership, clear communication, and the ability to adapt to challenges.

Strong Leadership Matters

Just like a football team needs a strong coach to provide guidance and direction, families rely on caregivers to create structure and provide leadership. In systemic family therapy, we focus on the role of parental leadership in setting boundaries, fostering emotional security, and ensuring each family member feels supported. Without clear leadership, both football teams and families struggle to stay aligned and work toward common goals.

Effective Communication Prevents Fumbles

On the field, players must communicate effectively to execute plays and avoid costly mistakes. In families, communication is just as critical. Systemic family therapy highlights how patterns of miscommunication can lead to frustration, misunderstandings, and conflict. By improving how family members listen, express their needs, and respond to each other, they can function more like a well-coordinated team rather than a group of individuals working against each other.

Trust and Support Make a Difference

Winning teams build trust between players, knowing that each person has a role to play. Families thrive when members feel safe, valued, and supported in their roles. In systemic therapy, we help families recognize and reinforce these connections so that each member knows they are a valuable part of the system.

Flexibility and Adaptability Are Key

A team that refuses to adjust its game plan won’t win many championships. Similarly, families that struggle with rigid expectations and resistance to change often experience more stress and conflict. Systemic therapy helps families develop the flexibility needed to navigate life’s unexpected challenges with resilience and cooperation.

So, as you watch the Super Bowl this year, think about your own family system. Is your “team” functioning at its best? If not, small shifts in leadership, communication, trust, and adaptability can make all the difference.

#SuperBowl #FamilyTherapy #SystemicThinking #Teamwork #StrongerTogether

As systemic family therapists, we understand the importance of fostering meaningful connections with the families we serve. But to truly be effective, we must first look inward and reflect on the unique “slice of pie” that we bring into the therapy room. This analogy—simple yet profound—invites us to examine the ingredients that shape our therapeutic presence.

Our slice of pie represents the sum of our experiences, biases, beliefs, and emotional triggers. These elements influence how we interpret and respond to the dynamics we observe in families. While some ingredients, such as empathy, self-awareness, and openness, enhance our work, others—like unresolved personal biases or emotional blind spots—can create barriers to effective therapy.

This is where Person-of-the-Therapist (POTT) work becomes essential. POTT encourages therapists to engage in deep self-reflection, identify their “ingredients,” and take intentional steps toward growth. By acknowledging how our own histories and emotions intersect with our professional roles, we position ourselves to build authentic relationships with families and create space for transformative change.

So, how can you assess what’s in your slice of pie? Here are a few steps to get started:

1. Engage in Reflective Practices: Journaling, supervision, or peer consultation can help you uncover patterns and areas for growth.
2. Seek Feedback: Honest input from colleagues and supervisors can provide valuable insights into how your personal attributes impact your work.
3. Commit to Continuous Learning: Attend trainings or engage in activities that challenge your assumptions and expand your perspectives.
4. Practice Mindfulness: Awareness of your own emotional triggers allows you to stay grounded and fully present during sessions.

When we take the time to examine and refine our slice of pie, we not only enhance our skills but also deepen our connection to the families we work with. What’s in your slice? Are you ready to do the work to ensure your ingredients support healing and growth?

💬 Join the conversation! What practices help you cultivate self-awareness as a therapist?