Systemic Assessment and Treatment of Depression and Anxiety in Families: The BPSS Model in Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe a collaborative and integrative multisystemic approach to the assessment and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders based on the bio-psycho-social-spiritual (BPSS) model, an expansion of the well-known bio-psycho-social model long in use by professionals in a number of disciplines. Accordingly, we define multisystemic as working with the individual (cognitive, affective, spiritual, and physical), family, and other relationship dynamics and the social-cultural and professional helper levels of the system. After a brief review of the disorders in question, the BPSS model and its application to anxiety and depression are outlined. Finally, two case examples illustrate the model.