Competence requirements for systemic consultants

The systemic counseling approach assumes that people and their behaviors cannot be viewed in isolation, but rather in the context of their social and interpersonal relationships.

A systemic consultant analyzes the dynamics that exist between the various elements of a system (such as a family, a team, an organization, or a network) and attempts to achieve positive effects by making changes at the system level. In doing so, they often try to find solutions rather than focusing too much on the problems themselves. Systemic consultants see the big picture and pay attention to how different parts of a system interact.

The required competencies are acquired in one or more systemic training courses, which must comprise a total of at least one year. They manifest themselves in four dimensions. Here, we refer to the DGFB's research study on competency orientation (2024), which we adapt to the systemic counseling approach:

knowledge
skills
social competence
independence

Here you can download the competency requirements for systemic consultants as a PDF.

PDF Competency Requirements – Systemic Consultants

These competencies are demonstrated within the framework of an ethical counseling approach. Compliance with the SystCert Ethical Guidelines is a mandatory requirement for all systemic consultants seeking certification.

PDF SystCert Ethical Guidlines

Competence requirements for systemic consultants

At the end of their training process, systemic consultants possess the following fundamental KNOWLEDGE according to the SystCert standard:

Systemic consultants are able to identify the most important legal conditions relevant for counseling activities (including confidentiality obligations) and possess the corresponding application competencies.
Systemic consultants can describe the basic principles of system dynamics and evaluate their relevance for counseling processes.
Systemic consultants can identify the principles of systemic-constructivist thinking and reflect on their influence on counseling practice.
Systemic consultants have knowledge of theories concerning individual, familial, and organizational development processes.
Systemic consultants possess knowledge of systemic interrelations and interactions between personal, professional, and organizational development.
Systemic consultants can describe methods for working with groups and evaluate the application of these methods in various counseling contexts with regard to their impact on group dynamics.
Systemic consultants can explain basic concepts of the social sciences and humanities and assess their relevance for counseling processes.
Systemic consultants are familiar with conflict theories and their relevance for application in counseling.

At the end of their training process, systemic consultants possess the following fundamental SKILLS according to the SystCert standard:

Systemic consultants consider the legal and situational framework of their assignment and clarify context, roles, and mandates.
Systemic consultants design appropriate settings, taking into account the dimensions of person–role, function, task - organization, and customer-client system.
Systemic consultants can hold counseling sessions and demonstrate the ability for process planning, process design, and process evaluation.
Systemic consultants apply systemic interviewing techniques and make use of systemic questioning methods.
Systemic consultants consider different perspectives in their interviewing, accept them, and primarily think in 'both-and' rather than 'either-or' categories.
Systemic consultants develop systemic hypotheses about the client system, into which they can integrate both the system’s own solution strategies and their own suggestions.
Systemic consultants recognize relevant patterns in the problem context and are able to respond appropriately to these systemic patterns.
Systemic consultants recognize interrelations and interaction cycles both within the counseling system and the customer-client system, and can appropriately clarify these for the customer-client system.
Systemic consultants focus on resources, build on the strengths of the customer-client system, and know how to make use of them in counseling processes.
Systemic consultants possess a range of systemic intervention methods for planning and conducting interventions, which correspond to the specific counseling situation of the customer-client system.
Systemic consultants are able to apply a variety of systemic interventions appropriately to the concerns and needs of the customer-client system, and to develop their own counseling concepts based on these.
In the counseling process, systemic consultants anticipate the possible effects of their interventions and are able to adapt them in a goal-oriented way.
Systemic consultants support the customer-client system in crisis situations by helping it to stabilize (including emotionally), to reactivate familiar coping strategies, and to develop new resource-oriented solutions.

At the end of their training process, systemic consultants possess the following fundamental SOCIAL COMPETENCIES according to the SystCert standard:

Systemic consultants demonstrate an appreciative attitude by respecting the dignity and perspectives of those involved in the counseling process and by adhering to ethical values that promote respectful and trustful collaboration.
Systemic consultants take into account the complex organizational structures of the customer-client system in their counseling and adapt their communication accordingly.
Systemic consultants perceive the feelings, thoughts, needs, and interests of the customer-client system and respond to them appropriately.
Systemic consultants recognize nonverbal and verbal feedback from the customer-client system and take it into account in the counseling process.
Systemic consultants recognize conflicts at an early stage and develop competent strategies to facilitate solutions.
Systemic consultants reflect on the biographical, cultural, and social backgrounds of the customer-client system and take them into account in their counseling process.
Systemic consultants maintain an appropriate balance of closeness and distance in order to establish and sustain professional relationships.
Systemic consultants are open and curious towards new ideas, perspectives, and realities of life within the customer-client system in order to promote trust and creativity in the counseling process.

At the end of their training process, systemic consultants possess the following AUTONOMY / SELF-RESPONSIBILITY according to the SystCert standard:

Systemic consultants have developed their professional identity as counseling professionals.
Systemic consultants reflect on the general scope and limits of counseling.
Systemic consultants make use of the possibilities of their role, while recognizing their own limitations as well as the limits of specific counseling contexts.
Systemic consultants take responsibility for their counseling processes and make appropriate decisions for themselves, the customer-client system, and the counseling process.
In their systemic counseling practice, systemic consultants broaden their own perspective and continue growing both professionally and personally.
Systemic consultants make use of networks, supervision, and peer counseling to reflect on their own ways of working, to promote their professional and personal development, and to continuously improve the quality of their counseling practice.