About this Issue
Vol. 2, No. 3 – 2008

This approaching winter of 2008, we offer articles from Thailand, the United States, and Canada. We offer abstracts in Chinese from all previous articles with great appreciation to our International Editor, Dr. Vivien Lou Wei-qun, PH.D. School of Social Work, University of Hong Kong. In addition, we have a review of Ekman Tam’s book on his use of the principles of Virginia Satir’s work in his Christian ministry.

Soontaree Srikosai M.Edu., M.N.S., A.P.N. is a psychiatric nurse in northern Thailand, at the Suanprung Psychiatric Hospital. Her article, Effects of Individual Psychotherapy using the Satir Model on an Alcohol Dependent and Depressed Patient describes the presenting problems, the design of care and outcome results. The author used various techniques to help the patient explore problems using Satir’s personal iceberg metaphor. Results of treatment had shown that by changing of the patient’s internal world, there has been acceptance of self, more peace and calm, a continued ability to stop drinking and pride in alcohol abstinence.

C. Jesse Carlock, PH.D., our associate editor, has written an excellent article based on her clinical practice; Building Healthy Self Identity in Gays and Lesbians: A Satir Approach. This article examines the impact of heterosexism and homophobia on the development of self-identity in gays and lesbians and explores the treatment of the subsequent internalized homophobia that is experienced to some degree by most gays and lesbians. Dr. Carlock describes a treatment process drawn from the Satir Model which includes three prongs:

• Building awareness of positive and negative core beliefs and values individuals hold about gays and lesbians and awareness of how the individual has coped with being gay or lesbian;
• Assimilating support of both internal and interpersonal resources and processing positive and negative experiences related to being gay or lesbian;
• Transforming negative experiences related to being gay or lesbian and the faulty conclusions drawn from these experiences.

Included in the text are numerous short vignettes. This article is reprinted with permission by Dr. John Banmen, editor, Applications of the Satir Model  (2006) Avanta: The Virginia Satir Model.

Adventure-Based Therapy With At-Risk Youth Using the Satir Model, by Klaus Klein, M.A., R.C.C. focuses on positive change with school-age adolescents. Many high school students have behavioral difficulties such as truancy, dropping out of school, conflict with teachers and peers, lack of interest and motivation, poor academic performance, and drug and alcohol abuse. During multi-day wilderness camping, students experience life and themselves in a whole new way.

Klaus Klein has been a leader in the field of Adventure Based Therapy. He has been ski mountaineering for over 17 years, and been on numerous multi-day, canoe, kayak, and  backpacking trips as a therapist for high school students. He has been a registered clinical therapist in British Columbia since 2001. His article offers case illustrations of youth who changed their “coping” styles following their experiences in this outdoor therapy program.

INSIGHTS

BOOK REVIEW: We are pleased to offer a fine Book Review of Eckman Tam’s  A Psycho-spiritual Approach to Christian Spiritual Direction- Based on the Satir Model of Therapy. Ekman Tam serves as the spiritual director of Hong Kong’s Tao Fong Christian Centre. Faye D. Schwelitz, PH.D., Psy.D., whose clinical practice is in Beavercreek,Ohio, has written this fine review. Here is an excerpt:

“As part of a Christian minority in Hong Kong, Ekman Tam is seeking ways to address ‘the loss of soul’ in Southeast Asian churches. He sees spiritual direction as an invaluable means for the development of spirituality. Tam is the spiritual director of Tao Fong Christian Centre, Hong Kong, and founded a spiritual direction formation there. In this book he proposes to share his ‘insights and experiences with Christian communities, particularly in Southeast Asia, and to promote an understanding and practice of spiritual direction that encompasses ecumenical openness and psychological sensitivity.”

We sincerely hope you enjoy this issue!

Steve Bentheim, PH.D.,
Editor