IngentaConnect Couple Congruence and Spirituality in the Satir Model: Part II

Author: Bentheim, Steve

Source: The Satir Journal, Volume 2, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 37-54(18)

Publisher: Satir Institute of the Pacific

Abstract:

Particular to Virginia Satir's genius was her focus on the “us-ness” between self and other in therapy and as a key factor in congruent couple relationship. This article begins with Satir's focus on the inclusion of spirituality in family therapy. Her approach has been a leap for positivist-based psychologists to understand, but also for spiritually-oriented clinicians whose focus stems from individual-based psychology. Her spiritual perspective received support by Abraham Maslow at the time he inaugurated The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. Although very supportive of spirituality in psychology, Maslow's key protege, Ken Wilber, has misunderstood Satir's perspective of "us-ness."

The need for research has led the author to conduct several interviews with couples that were able to articulate the significance of spirituality in their relationship. The interview with the “Gold's” presents their profound, yet natural experience of “us-ness.” They are each in religious leadership positions as Christian Science practitioners and can describe how they receive conjoint intuition as a couple. They then describe how this impacts their own relationship and their work with others.

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