About this Issue

In this, our second issue, we are pleased to offer a diverse array of international articles. We can see the fruitage of the Satir Model in formerly authoritarian cultures and governmental institutions. The authors offer us much about these cultures at the macro-level, while very caringly spotlighting the needs of individuals during these times of transition. Also in this issue, Dr. John Banmen, Director of Training at the Satir Institute of the Pacific, asks us a provocative question about the growing phenomenon of depression, then details a helpful preparation for Satir-oriented therapists.

Articles

Our first article is written by Susan Chia Sok Hia, M.A., SRN, the pastoral leader of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Center of Singapore about their residential program: Self- Empowerment for Women Experiencing Spousal Violence. This research study begins with a contemporary examination of spousal violence in Singapore, and the patriarchal culture that is a contributing factor to these incidents. The study then describes the “Healing and Recover” group-counseling program in which six women, residents of the Good Shepherd Centre, had participated.

Our second article is from Dr. John Banmen, R.Psych, the Satir Institute of the Pacific’s Director of Training. In a presentation in Vancouver B.C., he asked mental-health therapists a provocative question: “If Depression is the Solution, What are the Problems?” We are asked to consider whether or not depression is a “symptom of the repression of feelings.” As a case illustration, we consider the therapeutic response of “Carl” who had previously dealt with depression for over twenty years. Dr. Banmen offers the specific orientation and the five elements of change used in the Satir Model.

Our third article is by Dr. Young Ae Kim, the director of the Korea Satir Institute. We are treated to a sweeping overview of centuries of traditional healing methods under the Han worldview, and then how Koreans changed to adjust to the patriarchal Confucian culture. The helpful and non-helpful aspects of each are discussed in relation to both the individual and the family. Finally, mental health practitioners return to a more integral worldview. This very engaging study is entitled An Analysis of Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy in the Korean Worldview.

Dr. Nijole Liobikiene, Ph.D. teaches social work at Lithuania’s Vytautas Magnus University. A former surgeon, she was appalled at the level of alcoholism and violence in her country that escalated after the withdrawal of Soviet control. She writes of the macro-level changes to health authorities in that period, including releasing children who were inappropriately placed in institutions. She became one of the first social workers under assistance of the Christian NGO Caritas and describes how Virginia Satir’s approaches to intervention are now used in training social workers. Her well-appreciated article is Creating the Field of Social Work in Post-Soviet Lithuania.

Insights

After reading through these hearty articles, there is the fun of dancing along with Sandy and Fred at their wedding. Sandy Novak is the director of the Satir Institute of the Rockies (in Boulder Colorado). Portions of the wedding script are offered, featuring the circles of the blended family. So, join us for Fred and Sandy’s Multi-generational Colorado Horseback Wedding.

Finally, have a look at the new "Satir's Five Freedoms" poster created by Barbara J. Burns. She has graciously offered to present her posters with lovely, natural background images for future issues of our Journal.

Steve Bentheim, Ph.D.
Editor