The Satir Model: Family Therapy and Beyond

by Virginia Satir, Maria Gomori (Primary Contributor), Jane Gerber (Primary Contributor)

This book represents the evolution of Satir's ideas over the last twenty years. In clear, plain terms, it details her theoretical position, her strategy in therapy, and how she tailored her interventions to address people's particular issues.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Family, Self Help, Personal Development, Theory

398 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

About the author

Virginia Satir (1916 – 1988) was an American author and psychotherapist, known especially for her approach to family therapy and her work with Systemic Constellations. She is widely regarded as the "Mother of Family Therapy" Her most well-known books are Conjoint Family Therapy, 1964, Peoplemaking, 1972, and The New Peoplemaking, 1988.

She is also known for creating the Virginia Satir Change Process Model, a psychological model developed through clinical studies. Change management and organizational gurus of the 1990s and 2000s embrace this model to define how change impacts organizations.

Reviews

[Robert Bogue]

It's a model that's sometimes used in the discussion of change, but it was born out of family systems therapy and the awareness of how disruptive events impact family systems. The Satir Model brings a very human and personal element to how changes occur.

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[Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read!!! This book has helped me so much this semester in beginning my clinical practicing and implementing a theoretical orientation. I have been drawn to this theory since learning about it in class. Deep diving into Satir’s theory with this book and using it to write practice progress notes + conducting practice sessions validated my connection to it!!

[Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allowed me to explore the work of Virginia Satir by learning from some of her closest colleagues. I would recommend reading this book if you are interested in the Human Validation Process Model.

[Morgan Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and was able to apply the material in order to better understand people

[Licy Panes]

Hi there, I wanted to read this book, but I don't know how to open it.
Thank you.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can recommend about half the chapters: the first few, and the last couple.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for my PhD theory class and I might be a Satir clinician! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for learning the basics of the Satir model, but that’s about it.

[Modya]

A very good overview of Satir's model. As with many founders of schools or theories or movements, I would like books to cover a little more of the person to get a sense of who they were, how they lived and have that provide more context for where their theories evolved from. The book is well organized and step by step.

[Kiersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply put-one of my favorite family systems theorists in every way, shape and form.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the Satir model. Easy to read and it lays it out very clearly.

[Hiroshi Sasaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

So dated. But so essential. Not a book to read, but a book from which to create experiences, guided by someone who knows the model.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a thorough book that covers Virginia Satir's thinking and intervention practices. I found myself jotting notes and reading some of the lines again and again, hoping to capture the essence and really put the ideas into practice. Her idea that we very often see only the pictures of others, coloured by our own assumptions, experiences and expectations, is particularly helpful and inspiring to me. Hope more and more people would have access to Satir's model, so as to create peace within and among ourselves.