Qualitative study of contemporary Satir family therapy: Theoretical and practical developments over the past 30 years

Since Satir's death in 1988, Satir practitioners and scholars have supported and promoted the Satir model via their respective writings, trainings, and practices around the world. Review of recent literature finds scholars have outlined four stages of Satir's development over the course of her career and applied different names to their respective Satir approaches developed after her death. As a result of the different names applied to the model's practice, as well as the multiple perspectives and approaches existing in the literature, it is unclear exactly how the model is practiced today. This study sought to better understand contemporary Satir practice by exploring how contemporary Satir experts practice Satir's model, which of Satir's original ideas are still in use, what has been changed or added to the model, and what variations of the model are currently in practice. This study additionally provides new practitioners information regarding training and training options available in North America. To determine the status of the Satir model as practiced today, an analysis of the literature dating from 1988-2016 was completed along with semi-structured qualitative interviews with ten Satir experts. Results of this study demonstrate that the contemporary practice of the Satir model is diverse in its practice and application. While current Satir approaches retain Satir's philosophical and theoretical base and include her concepts, vehicles, and goals for change, many Satir practitioners adapt their practice to the specific populations they serve, including clinical and non-clinical populations. The diversity of Satir practice is also seen in the variation of training options available in North American and internationally where the type of training one may receive is dependent upon the Satir approach utilized by the trainer or training institutions. This respect for diversity is inherent in the Satir model itself, which promotes organic growth, transformation, and positive change, and values the uniqueness of each person as well as each therapist.