What is Dixyst?

Dixyst is an adaptation of the game Dixit, modelled by Bernard Filleul, who turned it into a mediating object to facilitate therapeutic intervention with families, couples, individuals and groups. Unlike the original game, which focuses on storytelling and imagination, Dixyst uses the cards’ illustrations to allow patients to explore their emotions, develop their ability to express deep feelings and consider new perspectives.

The concept draws on the symbolic richness of the Dixit card images, which then become metaphorical supports that facilitate exchanges. Bernard Filleul used Dixyst in his systemic work for many years, presenting it as a floating object — following the concepts of Philippe Caillé and Yveline Rey — capable of creating a symbolic space where exchanges and interactions become more fluid.

A tool serving systemic therapy

Within the systemic approach, interpersonal relationships and group dynamics are central. Dixyst allows therapists to work directly on these dynamics, by inviting participants to project their emotions or thoughts through the images. This process fosters communication and the exploration of relationships within families or couples.

One of Dixyst’s major strengths lies in its capacity to open up the field of possibilities. The abstract illustrations on the cards offer a multitude of readings and allow each participant to project their own meanings. This generates rich, creative exchanges that are often difficult to reach through verbal dialogue alone. Bernard Filleul also uses it in broader contexts, such as supervision or training groups.

An essential frame of safety

While Dixyst stimulates creativity and opens up interesting perspectives in therapeutic work, its use nevertheless requires rigour. Bernard Filleul insists on the importance of setting a safe frame for participants, following his adage:

The therapist’s role is then to frame the interactions and ensure that the projections arising from the cards are explored in a constructive, non-conflictual way.

It is essential to adapt the use of Dixyst to the context and the audience: its use in individual therapy differs, for example, from its application in group therapy or professional training. In each case, the therapist or facilitator must be trained both technically and ethically, to guarantee respect for participants and the success of the process.

How can you integrate Dixyst into your professional practice?

For therapists, trainers or supervisors interested in this tool, getting trained in its use is paramount. Bernard Filleul offers specific training sessions, during which he shares his expertise and lets professionals experiment with the different game formats of Dixyst. These sessions provide a concrete learning frame to master the theoretical and practical aspects of the tool.

Adapting Dixyst to your practice will depend on several factors: the type of patients, the intervention context and your own therapeutic style. The essential point is to understand how metaphorical imagery and symbolic interactions can enrich exchanges and offer new therapeutic perspectives.

To discover Dixyst in more detail, with explanations from Bernard Filleul himself, the full conversation — in French — can be watched below.