Book Review:
A Psycho-spiritual Approach to Christian Spiritual Direction Based on the Satir Model of Therapy
by Ekman P.C. Tam
Hong Kong: Taosheng Publishing, 2007
199 pages, HK$ 100, US$ 13.00
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.”
Tan notes the worldwide resurgent interest in spiritual direction within churches of the West has kindled interest in it in the East. His intent is to help spread the understanding and practice of spiritual direction in appropriate settings throughout Southeast Asia. Much of his book provides a foundation for spiritual direction. He traces the monastic underpinnings of spiritual direction using Saint Antony as archetype. He seeks to give spiritual direction a biblical foundation, citing a part of a chapter by Luke. He examines James Fowler’s faith development theory and sees faith as apart from dogma and containing a broader and more inclusive viewpoint. Tam credits Fowler’s work based on “critical research and careful observation of human growth and faith potentiality” in exhorting him to fashion a spiritual direction model which encompasses the humanity and complexity of the individual.
Tam attempts to distinguish between spiritual direction and counseling but also notes that they need not only to be seen as complementary but also as one. Although many spiritual directors and psychologists fail to integrate psychology with spirituality, yet some do and have. However, Tam neglects to acknowledge those who emphasized such integration, such as C.G. Jung.
Only two chapters out of six are devoted to Virginia Satir and her model of therapy. Tam gives biographical information on Satir’s life revealing how she came to formulate her model of therapy. This model without using the word, God, considers our human core as spiritual. Rather than problem or pathology based, the model’s focus is on growth and the “restoration of a wholesome selfhood that grounds a healthy spiritual life”. He explores specific features of Satir’s model, viz. the systematic approach, use of self, Iceberg Metaphor, and human yearnings. Tam devised a four-phase framework for spiritual direction using these elements and illustrates it by several vignettes from his spiritual direction sessions.
This book is a good resource for pastoral counselors, spiritual director, and therapists seeking to integrate spirituality with psychology. Blending Virginia Satir’s model with spiritual direction is a refreshing and promising approach.
Reviewed by:
Faye D. Schwelitz, PH.D., Psy.D.
Beavercreek, OH
