LINGUISTIC INTERACTION AND DIAGNOSES - CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING A SYSTEM-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIP IN THE PROFESSION ON THE BASIS OF EMPIRICAL-FINDINGS

Family therapists like many others in the psychotherapeutic field, are urged to use diagnostic systems like DSM or ICD. Is thinking in terms of classifications compatible with the professional aim of resolving symptoms in interpersonal relationships? To answer this question it is proposed that therapeutic interaction and ''diagnoses'' be seen as sy stems constituting environments for each other. Diagnosis follows from interaction, but therapeutic procedures do not follow from diagnosis. To support this thesis, the author draws on relevant empirical resear ch confirming diagnosis as a interaction-dependent variable. However, a no-diagnosis-at-all position is not taken. Proposals are made to int egrate diagnostic procedures into a concept of professional training.