Sociotherapy, profession and professional code

• definition of Sociotherapie
• general methods of approach of Sociotherapy
• theoretical lines of approach in Sociotherapy
  • socialization
  • sociotherapeutic work in relationship with social systems
  • sociotherapeutic work in relationship to social identity
• arrangement of sociotherapeutic interventions
• task areas
• the sociotherapeutic quality of treatment
• professional code for sociotherapists
• literature and organizations

Theoretical lines of approach in Sociotherapy

Sociotherapeutic work in relationship to social identity

In communication between people, the concept of identity is central. Who am I and who am I in relation to others? What do I have in common with others and what makes me different? A (badly) disturbed sense of identity is often the reason for seeking professional help. Goffman (1980) analyses the concept of identity that can be of good use in the framework of the treatment process.

The way in which a person perceives himself, experiences himself, the subjective experience of one's person and the perceived continuity of one's character, Goffman calls the ego identity.
The way in which a person associates with others, that which he willingly shows of his feelings and thoughts, Goffman calls the personal identity. The personal identity points to the basic norms and values that are expressed in the relationships that an individual begins with others.
Contrary to having just one ego identity and one personal identity, a person has many so-called social identities. Goffman calls social identity, the identity that is based on the behavior, positions and roles that are dictated by different social situations, social structures and actual interactions. Sociotherapists mainly focus on the development of the social and personal identity of the client and focus to a much lesser degree on the so-called ego identity.
In order to facilitate change or growth in personal identity, the sociotherapists need to create conditions in which open and mutual communication between clients and sociotherapists is possible.
To help restore the social identity of clients means for the sociotherapists to focus on the dimensions of interaction. This implies the client gains insight and a certain balance develops between opening up and withdrawing, between exercising influence and adapting oneself. The four named dimensions of interaction can be further classified.
Withdrawing from the environment and exercising influence on the environment are dimensions of differentiation, of self-awareness.
Opening oneself up to the surroundings and adapting to the surroundings are dimensions of integration, of the sense of being part of "us".
Skills to express these dimensions contribute to socialization and to satisfactory interaction with oneself and others.

Hartmann (1964) describes that the identity is formed by ego capacities. Ego capacities are the building stones of the social skills. Ego capacities are essential for people, in this case the client, to adapt to the environment (adaptive function). Adaptation is the result of good cooperation between two other functions: the synthesizing function and the executing function. If problems occur in one or both functions, then the adaptation cannot achieve the optimal result, and the client's contact with his environment proceeds problematically. The great importance of the synthesizing function is:

• the ability to connect various aspects, for example wishes, needs, aspirations with the possibilities of the environment at a given moment in time
   
• the ability to create unity in one's own actions
   
• the ability to create unity in the insight into the demands of the environment
   
• the ability to cope with a certain level of fear and frustration
   
• the ability to simplify a complex situation.

These are all very complicated tasks. Therefore, good executive functions are needed. The executive function entails:

• observation, memory and intuition
• understanding, thought and intelligence
• learning
• speech, language and coordination.

In this respect Sociotherapy is directed towards the improvement of the executive functions. Sociotherapists work with the client on the perceptible behavior, here and now. According to Cumming and Cumming (1962) improvement of the executive functions leads to improvement of the synthesizing functions. To put it another way, through the improvement of the executive functions, the disturbances in the synthesizing functions will have less effect on the behavior.

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