Satir Approach to Communication: A Workshop Manual

This simple little book clearly introduces some basic concepts of one of the family therapy pioneers--Virginia Satir. It includes everything a counselor needs to know to conduct a Satirian experiential workshop on communication, intimacy or family of origin issues. The first part delineates some administrative details before starting the group, then it offers the basic ingredients and premises that Satir's approach emphasizes in the group process, such as focusing on comfort and contact. The second part includes several group activities that counselors can use to promote awareness of one's communication styles within contexts. This book helped me a lot when I led a family of origin group for college students last semester. I also applied some ideas when teaching the interpersonal communication class. If you want to learn more about Satir's approach, you should read "The Satir Model" by Baldwin, Banmen, Gomori & Satir, and also definitely the classic "Peoplemaking" first. This practical book is recommended as a suplemental resource for students in counselor education when studyng group or marriage/family counseling.