Abstract

Modern therapy approaches came to play during the 19th century and were common in the European culture where communication was regarded as the primary aspect of socialization. These models majorly focused on individuality and self-conscience. Satir’s Process Model of Family Therapy became one of the major communication approaches that were used to carry out self-assessment. The model became widely acceptable because of its underlying communication therapy approach with both structural and strategic models that acknowledged the importance of effective communication within family circles. It was initially intended to address credible details of unspoken thoughts of family members while taping into their strengths.  This essay describes both the historical and characteristics of Satir’s Process Model of Family Therapy and how well it can be used to treat an alcohol troubled couple.

Modern model – Satir’s Process Model of Family Therapy
Introduction  
Modern therapy approaches came to play during 19th century and was common in the European culture where communication was regarded as the primary aspect of socialization. These models majorly focused on individuality and self-conscience. Satir’s Process Model of Family Therapy became one of the major communication approaches that were used to carry out self-assessment. The model became widely acceptable because of its underlying communication therapy approach with both structural and strategic models that acknowledged the importance of effective communication within family circles. It was initially intended to address credible details of unspoken thoughts of family members while taping into their strengths.  This essay describes both historical and characteristics of Satir’s Process Model of Family Therapy and how well it can be used to treat an alcohol troubled couple. 
History, Founders, and Essential Ideas of Satir’s Process Therapy
Virginia Satir found research boring and decided to engage in family therapy through education and social work (Becvar & Becvar, 2012, p. 199). She was active in meeting new families and began to teach her students about family therapy in early 1960s. Satir published her first major book in 1964 titled, “Conjoint Family Therapy” that highlighted the importance of thinking positive to overcome social troubles while paying little attention to the hurtful history.  The book also underlined the evolving nature of mankind and factors that cause behavioral change (Roslyn & Nathan, 2004). Satir emphasized the role of parents in observing children patterns and having complete awareness of their children behaviors for ease diagnosis, especially when their strengths are well known. She later became the director of residential program at Esalen growth center.
Having learnt a lot from family challenges in her social work, Satir came to learn that life of a person can be turned around through instilling self-confidence. The therapist noted that humans are able to develop and transform to better individuals in the society when they are reminded of what they are capable of despite their weaknesses (Hanna, 2018).  The therapy differs with therapeutic procedures that tend to standardize treatment guidelines since humans can take different approaches to solve similar problems. This model pays attention to behavioral change through replacing negative aspects of the behavior with positive facets without worrying about the past misconducts of the client. This humanistic approach uses the basic principle of altering the attitude of a person so that he or she begins thinking about what is good rather than trying to fix the bad behaviors of the client. In her book, Satir said that everyone in the society is healable and has an honorable motive (Roslyn & Nathan, 2004).
Characteristics of the Satir’s Process Model of Family Therapy
Satir’s process model of family therapy is widely used in families and clients that exhibit characteristics of low self-esteem. It is commonly associated with sculpting process which is used to reveal hidden emotions of a client through communication cues. The family life tree is used to depict important events in the family that might be associated with the problem the client presents. Chronological arrangement is sometimes important where the client is required to arrange his/her family members with their notable traits.  This genogram technique is used to reconstruct a family tree for the therapist to conceptualize how certain symptoms emerged from intergenerational family patterns.  Apart from sculpting and genograms, a therapist can also use metaphorical and humor techniques to implement moments of intervention to “allow something to happen” (Becvar & Becvar, 2012, p. 203).
The role of a therapist in Satir’s process model of family therapy is to create a good environment for family communication and facilitate the transformational process that will help clients to view themselves as resourceful beings rather than seeing themselves as failures. He takes into account client’s fears and feelings of hopelessness and transforms them to a feeling of purposefulness in the community. By understanding clients’ strengths and weaknesses, a therapist is able to revive the confidence of a client through encouragement while strengthening the perception of self-checking. In this model a therapist aims to make contact with each family member and get the feeling of each member rather than relying on reported information from other family members. The therapist then evaluates client’s feelings and come up with emotional state that is worth to acknowledge and advices the client to adopt the new way of dealing with the problem. The therapist should be impulsive and ready to experiment various approaches aimed to impact the behavior of a client in a positive way. Flexibility on time, place and fashion remain vital parameters that bring change in the clients’ life (Becvar & Becvar, 2012, p. 203).
The theory of change of this approach is to transform the communication styles of a family that will help it realize its humanistic goals. This change is highly influenced how one feels, behaves and thinks at that particular moment when he presents a problem. According to Satir, every human being is struggling to become complete out of “unwhole” person he was while growing (Becvar & Becvar, 2012, p. 204). The main treatment target is a therefore a family whose member(s) are striving to become “whole” and explore their full potential to heal. Satir’s therapy approach is famous with a phrase,” I own me”, which means everyone has self-control and is able to do what is good without coercion. In this approach, a patient is treated through self-influence without involving the third party in the treatment process.
Satir’s model is assessed based on how effective a family can communicate. A therapist concludes a successful treatment when a client responds to a crisis or a problem in a more creative and effective way rather than blaming others for the problem. As such successful treatments, a therapist needs to put in place long-term resources to maintain the healthy communication within the family. The resources will also help the affected members keep their heads high to the desired goals and avoid sliding back to the initial predicament. The therapy effectively works in a sensitive diverse cultural since a therapist does not directly take part in the treatment of the client. He is consulted as an expert and leaves the client to take autonomous decision whether to follow the recommended treatment guidelines or not. In other words, a lot of weight is put on the patient to treat himself/herself. Since it is used to normalize abusive behavior while investing in positive energy, it disables any forms of discrimination; which makes it to work in culturally sensible community. For instance, Satir’s model theory discourages parents and therapists from using rhetoric like, “Whom do you think you are?” since they bring about discriminatory atmospheres (Hannah, 2001). Such discriminations cause low self-esteem.
Underlying assumptions and tenets of this model align with it being a modern approach to therapy since it connects to the first and second generations that emphasized the importance of positivity in the society. During the period, transformational theories paid keen attention to self-esteem and the right of every person on earth. Satir’s model assumes that everyone has unlimited resources to grow and become whatever they want. The therapist urged therapists to not only consider physical wellbeing of a person but social part is also a vital component of human race. She also introduced the concept of attachment theory that advises parents to spend time with their children and enhance confidence among the family circle (McLeod, 2017). In case of a loss in a family member or separation, the family significantly suffers emotionally, which may eventually lead to low self-esteem (Bowlby, 1969). This model is a strength-based technique that explores clients’ strength rather than their weaknesses when treating them. It was precisely constructed to direct a therapist on transformational path that aims at addressing clients’ problems through exploiting what they are good at without exploring the history of their problems.
Case Analysis
Drinking habit of Robert is nearly destroying his marriage with Patricia. This model is well suited for this case because it will help Robert understand his strengths and try his best to work on his drinking behavior. Similarly, Patricia will learn to contain herself and avoid nagging behavior after realizing the importance of maintaining a state of tranquility in the family. To intervene Robert’s drinking behavior, this model shall tap into Robert’s feelings without considering his downfalls. While focusing on the positive aspects of a good union, Robert shall be asked to pay attention on spending quality time with his wife and family. This will limit his drinking time and eventually spend the surplus time with his family. Patricia will also come to understand that her misunderstanding behavior and endless accusations inadvertently keep Robert’s addiction alive. She will also be advised to focus on the positive things that her husband does for her, which may eventually turn his behavior around.
   The therapist should also use a genogram to determine similar drinking traits across the family tree of Robert and come up with treatment measures (Gehart, 2017, p.186). This will help the therapist to understand if the drinking behavior was associated with any family member. Through exploring functional family patterns in genogram, the therapist can have a reason to enforce communication between members of a troubled couple and trust shall be restored. 
Conclusion
The effect of Virginia Satir’s model has had a significant impact in the therapeutic industry. It was introduced in 1960s when Virginia Satir realized that self-confidence had a healing power rather than over-relying on fixing the source of problems. Satir’s model assumes that anyone is able to change and become acceptable in the society through emotional growth. While focusing on my case study, this therapy is appropriate in the case of Robert and Patricia whose companion is troubled due to Robert’s drinking behavior. Since this approach promotes the positive aspects of a patient, Robert and Patricia are likely to be well treated using the guidelines of restoring self-confidence in both of them. By rejuvenating hope and reducing the feeling of self-guilt, a therapist is able to impart self-acceptance and advise both members of the family to take charge of their lives in a responsible way.
References
Becvar D. S., & Becvar R. J. (2012). Family Therapy: A Systemic Integration for Capella University. [Capella]. Retrieved from https://capella.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781256944188/.
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment. Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Loss. New York: Basic Books.
Gehart, D. R. (2017). Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy: A Practical Approach to Theory and Clinical Case Documentation. [Capella]. Retrieved from https://capella.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781337678285/.
Hanna, S. M. (2018). The Practice of Family Therapy. [Capella]. Retrieved from https://capella.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781351051446/.
Hannah, D. (2001). The Correspondence of Sigmund Freud and Sandor Ferenczi. Vol. 3, 1920-1933 (review). Bulletin of The History of Medicine – BULL HIST MED. 75. 811-812. 10.1353/bhm.2001.0167.
McLeod, S. A. (2017, Febuary 05). Bowlby’s attachment theory. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bowlby.html#:~:text=John%20Bowlby%20believed%20that%20the,emotional%20difficulties%2C%20and%20antisocial%20behavior.
Roslyn, M, & Nathan,J . (2004). Process and Outcome in Conjoint Family Therapy. Family Process. 10. 451 – 473. 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1971.00451.