Metalogue: “less than one and more than two: developing a partiality for whole(some)ness”

Abstract

Purpose

To elaborate a systemic view of conducting psychotherapy with twins.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the form of a Batesonian metalogue the authors unpack and illustrate a number of key notions in the systemic psychotherapy of twins, including the ideas of the “exosomatic mind” which makes special reference to Bateson's definition of “mind” “cybernetic complementarity” and the “incarnated narrative”.

Findings

The discussions in the metalogue evidence a number of important systemic conversational features, underlining the fact that a therapist can conduct “systemic therapy” with a single individual.

Originality/value

Therapists are helped to see the need for going “beyond the individual skull” when doing therapy with a single person.

Citation

Kenny, V. and Scarino, L. (2007), "Metalogue: “less than one and more than two: developing a partiality for whole(some)ness”", Kybernetes, Vol. 36 No. 7/8, pp. 1100-1105. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920710777883