The Satir Journal, Volume 1 No 3
ISSN - (print) 1718-2050
ISSN – (online) 1718-2069

Couple Congruence and Spirituality in the Satir Model - Part I

Dr. Steve Bentheim, PH.D.
Victoria, B.C., Canada

Abstract

Virginia Satir connected her positive approach with couples within  her broad perspective of spirituality. This article offers her model of healthy couple relations as both a beginning and a springboard for individual and couple congruence. Her spiritual perspectives are here located within her early family roots in Christian Science and her later  adoption of Martin Buber’s I/Thou approach to self and other.
A hermeneutic study of mature couples from several religious traditions was conducted.  The first couple interview - The Diamonds - is presented with reflections on the changes to the couple through their process and to their religious context.  This results in a new couple mandala that  posits four dimensions of the couple - self, other, us and context . At the center are the conjoint universal yearnings, as another doorway to the transformational power of the spirit. The study offers an expansion to couples therapy and furthers the inclusion of spirituality within academic discourse.

About the Contributor

Steve Bentheim, PH.D. has taught family therapy and ethical decision-making at the University of Victoria.   He  serves as the editor of the Satir Journal and is a professional member of the Satir Institute of the Pacific.
e- mail: Steve Bentheim

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