Enriching Your Relationship with Yourself and Others Program

(Based on the Teachings of Virginia Satir)

 

Purpose:  This program is designed to offer people from all walks of life information on how to make their lives more satisfying by being more fully connected with themselves and others.  It is based on the assumption that when we have new information, we have new possibilities.  One of the unique aspects of the program is that it focuses on how to enrich your relationship with yourself, as well as others.  This means learning how to be more aware of what drives your feelings and behaviors, as well as how to more fully use your inner resources, such as your awareness, courage, choice and compassion.

 

Philosophy:  The program is based on the following assumptions:

  • People are basic miracles and worthy of love.
  • Each person is a manifestation of the life force and has been given the wonderful gift of an internal Spirit.
  • Change is possible.
  • We have choices, especially in terms of responding to events.
  • We can connect on the basis of similarities and grow on the basis of differences.

 

Development:  In many ways, the program started in 1991 with the publication of Sharon Loeschen’s book, The Magic of Satir: Practical Skills for Therapists.  This book, now entitled, The Satir Process, describes six core skills/steps that were used by the world famous therapist, Virginia Satir, to help people achieve new perspectives, see new possibilities and make desired changes.  These skills were identified by Sharon through studying with Virginia directly and by watching hundreds of hours of videotape where Virginia was working with people.  Margarita Suarez, RN, MA, who also studied with Virginia, realized that these skills were applicable for all people, not just the helping professionals, and so together, Sharon and Margarita created this program.

 

Content: The skills are: 

  • Making Contact, i.e., slowing down and paying attention to your breath, thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others;
  • Validating, i.e., actively valuing your resources, as well as those of others;
  • Becoming Aware, i.e., becoming more conscious of your inner process and behavior, as well as that of others;
  • Opening to Greater Understanding and Acceptance, i.e., working to gain greater understanding of the differences of others and to have a greater sense of acceptance of one’s own feelings, strengths and contradictions;
  • Making Conscious Choices, i.e., helping yourself and others to become more aware of choices and to choose consciously, and
  • Seeking/Giving Support, i.e., proactively seeking and giving support when needed.

 

Paths: Participants can participate in the program, via email or live.  It can be for one’s own enrichment and/or with the goal of becoming a certified trainer in the program.  The applicability of the program is broad and is being offered for different populations and in different countries.  For example, it is being taught to a group of young mothers, a group of elementary children and their parents, a group of high school students and their parents, to college students and social service staffs.  We believe the possibilities are many!

 

For more information contact:  sloeschen@gmail.com