The document describes the Functional Dialectic System (FDS) approach to therapy. FDS is a short-term, solution-focused approach based on the view that individuals function within social systems. It posits that behavior is goal-directed and symptoms represent functional means for meeting needs. FDS helps clients regain control by redefining problems dialectically and exploring functional meanings and solutions. Treatment involves joining with clients, redefining problems, developing contracts, and working through issues to termination. FDS trains therapists to identify functional meanings behind pathological behaviors and concepts through dialectical thinking.

1. Functional Dialectic System
(FDS) Approach to Therapy:
The symptom id not a sign but
a means to an end
Prof. Moshe Almagor Tikotzki
Department of Psychology
University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
malmagor@psy.haifa.ac.il1

2. References
Almagor, M. (2011). Functional Dialectic System
Approach to Therapy with Individuals, couples, and
Families. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota
Press.
Almagor, M., & Ben-Porath, D. D. (2013). Functional
dialectic system (FDS) treatment: Integrating family
system theory with dialectic thinking. Journal of
Psychotherapy Integration, 23, 397-
405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0034364
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3. FDS
 FDS is a short-term, relationship-based, solution
focused approach to therapy.
 FDS is an approach founded on a system-dialectic
view of the world.
 FDS postulates that:
A. A person lives and function within a social system.
B. Behavior is goal directed and functional.
 FDS helps the person regain control over disabling
life situations and represents an optimistic view of
behavior.
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4. The social context -
Fundamental axioms
A person lives and functions in a
social context.
The social context provides the
individual’s basic needs for safety,
order, belongingness and identity.
The individual is prepared to pay a
price for the provision of these
needs.
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5. The System
 A system consists of two basic elements:
 Structure – Relatively static and stable.
 Developmental process and goal (Dialectics and
functionality) – Dynamic.
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6. The Structure of the System
Boundaries
Hierarchy
Roles
Rules
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7.  The System is more important then its
members
 Contract
 Scapegoating
 Triangles
 Rituals
 Intergenerational processes
 Emotional distance regulating
mechanisms
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How the system protects
and preserves itself?

8. Dynamics and
development - Dialectics
 In FDS, the process and development of the system is
based on western dialectics (as opposed to the
eastern, Zen Buddhism).
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9. Dynamics and
development: Dialectics
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailp
age&v=MfeSSw69cC4
The whole consists of opposites
(Master-slave, health-pathlogy).
 There is a tension between the
opposites (thesis and antithesis).
This conflict is inevitable,
inherent and essential. It is not
learned or acquired. It cannot
and need not be resolved.
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10. Dynamics and
development: Dialectics
The tension necessitates a
resolution (a synthesis). The new
position creates a new dialectic.
The change is ideographical and
temporary.
Change is constant and no-
change is impossible.
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11. Evolution
 Robert Wilson (2002) claims that our development is
powered by the selfish-altruistic dialectics. There is a
within-group conflict (in favor of egotism) and
between-group conflict (in favor of altruism). The
dynamic of this conflict explains the way we are. This
conflict is ever present, unchanging).
 Carl Marx and the materialistic dialectics argues that
social classes and the conflict between them is ever
present, leading inevitably to struggle and revolution.
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12. Dynamics and
development - Dialectics
Structure and process are
dialectically related.
Common dialectics:
Closeness-Distance
Individuation – Union
Routine – Excitement
Control – Loss of control
Childhood - Maturity
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13. Dynamics and
development - Dialectics
 Dialectics is not only a philosophy, but
also a method (Socrates):
 Look for the opposite.
 Look for the different.
 Look for what is not there.
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14. Behavior is Functional
 Behavior is meaningful in light of the basic
needs.
 Behavior is functional in light of the basic
needs.
 Abnormal behavior is, thus, is both functional
and meaningful..
 It’s functional meaning is uncovered
dialectically.
 The problem is the solution!!
 The problem represents the best coping
strategy the client uses under the
circumstances
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15. Symptom
 The symptom is a communication means:
 It tells us about the status of the client
 It sends a message internally and externally
 It represents the solution, not the problem
 It is the best coping alternative available to the client
under the circumstances
 It is a sign for an underlying problem; most of the time it
involves other people
 It can take the form of a psychiatric, psychological,
medical, etc.
 Its origin may be genetic, traumatic, learned, or
acquired, but is likely to have an emotional overlay
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16. Symptoms
Anxiety is about fear of loss of
control. The anxious person
controls life through the
symptom.
Depression is about , weakness,
helplessness, withdrawal and loss
of interest . The depressed
person may attracts help and
the weakness represents power.
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17. Therapeutic dialectics
 Loss of control and Control
 (Anxiety Disorders)
 Weakness and Strength
 (Mood Disorders, Family problems)
 Anger and Caring
 (Couple’s difficulties)
 Closeness and Distance
 (Intimacy, Emotional distance regulating mechanisms))
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18. Therapeutic dialectics
Power struggles
Dominance and submission -
mutual enhancement
winning and losing - belonging
and differentiating
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19. Structure and Development
Structure and development
are dialectic; Stability and
Change.
Growth and Development;
Stability vs. Excitement.
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20. Treatment
FDS relates to both functional and
dysfunctional aspects of behavior.
Seeing both aspects of behavior
reduces the stressful and
pathological aspects of it.
Joining is crucial for FDS to used
effectively.
FDS is a highly optimistic approach
based on love and respect for the
client and his/her suffering.
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21. Stages in Therapy
 Intake
 Joining
 Problem definition and re-definition
 Contract
 Elaboration and problem solving
 Exploration of the newly defined problem.
 Devising ways of dealing with the problem.
 Working through the problem.
 Termination
 Follow-up
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22. FDS: An exercise
 The goal of the exercise is to train in dialectical-
functional thinking.
 Remember that a dialectic pole is subjective and is
multi-meaning.
 In this exercise you will be given pathological terms
and concepts and your role is to look for their
functional dialectic meaning.
 Anxiety, Depression, Obsession, Jealousy, Fights
(domestic), Extra-marital-affair
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23. FDS: An exercise
Anxiety
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24. FDS: An exercise-Function
Obsession
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25. FDS: An exercise-Function
Depression
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26. FDS: An exercise-Function
Extra marital affair
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27. FDS: An exercise-Function
Jealousy
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28. FDS: An exercise
Fights (Domestic)
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