Learning disabilities and systemic psychotherapy: a field of rich learnings

This paper reviews eleven publications that I submit for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Three themes are identified that together constitute major strands running through the publications: a) promoting and making the systemic approach accessible and relevant in the field of learning disabilities; b) challenges and opportunities in working systemically with people affected with learning disabilities; c) raising the question of who and what in the system needs to change. Following discussion of the three themes the analytical commentary moves on to highlight four areas entitled ‘rich learnings’ that emerged from reviewing fifteen years of publications and practice. The areas include: a consideration of the knowledge that emerge in relationship and dialogue; learning from difference and diversity; and the learning that can develop from teaching, transmission and partnership working. The central argument of the analytical commentary is that taken as a whole body of work, the publications and the associated practices demonstrate that I have made an original contribution to the field of systemic psychotherapy in the area of learning disabilities, and that I have played a significant role in transmitting the approach to others.