VIRGINIA SATIR VEHICLES OF TRANSFORMATION
HANDOUTS
Virginia Satir was a teacher and therapist who believed her work could be taught. To that end she developed simple, beautiful models that continue to evolve and grow. The following tools or visual depictions of Satir's vehicles of transformation are my attempts to bridge the Satir process models to what goes on in the therapy room. Feel free to download the following handouts and use them to help create transformational change.
The Change Process
The Satir system is a 7-stage change model that describes each stage's effects on feelings, thinking, performance, and physiology. The core concept of the Satir model states that there is always the possibility of improvement from any change process.
The Iceberg Metaphor
The Iceberg metaphor illustrates, the observable is only the tip of human experiencing. Each layer under the water represents a part of personal experiencing that is unique to each individual, and if explored, gets us closer to who we each are in the world.
The Self Mandala
Virginia Satir described the various manifestations of energy at the level of Self as the Self Mandala. These energies together make up the whole energy of the Self, but give rise to possibilities in unique ways as the different aspects of the Self Mandala interact with each other in systemic ways. The process of interaction is dynamic and creative.
The Coping Stances
Congruency is communication that builds esteem of self and other. It is whole communication in which the self, other and context are honored. Such communication can heal ruptures, break impasses, and build bridges between people. In incongruent communication, either self, other or context is missing.
The 5 Freedoms
The 5 freedoms reveal the things we all have the choice to do, although we might not always know it. Accessing them can support you in living a freer life.