Analyzing theb interaction processes between the family member and the family system is as important

as analyzing the communications content to bring about change in a familys functioning. Questions of
who is rightand who is wrong border on value judgments that have no place in the process of family
growth and further developments. The focus is on discovering how individuals can adjust to the various
events within the family to achieve satisfaction and to avoid withdrawing and other harmful roles.
Satir emphasized the necessity of developing trust before any meaningful change process can begin.
Given willingness to take a risk, trust can be assumed. The second step is developing awareness, or
knowing what one is doing. With awareness comes understanding and applying this new understanding
to effective decision making. At this point, the new decision-making behavior can be put to use. The
underlying theme is the development of self-worth and the freedom to comment.
Satir belived that whether a family grow iss primarily the responsibility of counselors and their input.
They must be able to put clients in touch with themselves at a feeling level. The counselor assumes the
role of teacher to re-educate the family to new ways of thinking , feeling and communicating.
Communication, the most important factor in satirs system, is the main determinant of the kinds of
relationships people have with one another and of how people adjust to their environment,as well as
being the tie that binds the family together. When a family is operating smoothly,communication among
family member is open ,authentic,assertive and received. Conversely , when a family system is in
trouble, communication is blocked or distorted in a futile attempt to ward off anxiety and tension.
Fear of rejection is a common source of anxiety. Because people fear rejection, they resort to one
response pattern or to a combination of patterns to communicate with others. These universal response
role are the placate, the blamer, the computer, the distractor and the leveler. The last response,
leveling, helps people develop healthy personalities, the other four responses hide real feelings for fear
of rejection. In such situations, people feel and react to the threat of rejection, do not want to reveal
weakness and attempt to conceal it. Satir (1971) agreed with Gestalt theory on nonverbal behavior:
the body expresses your whole integration. Each response pattern is accompanied by a unique body
posture and nonverbal behaviors and each has its own way of deadling (or not dealing with the context
or subject matter of the situation), the needs of the other family members and the personal or self
needs of the person playing the particular role.
Placate
Placaters placate so others do not get angry. Their motto is peace at any price. They talk in ingratiating
ways to try to please, or they apologize. They never disagree and even take on the air of a yes person.
They have low self esteem. They cannot negotiate solutions of mutual benefit because the process is too
threatening. In other words, placaters negate self in the interest of serving others and staying within the
context of the situation. Nonverbal behaviors of the placate send the message that whatever you want
is okay with me , I am just here to make you happy.
Blamer
Blamer are the faulthfinders, directors, and bosses. They also do not feel good about themselves. They
may feel lonely and unsuccessful and attempt to compensate by trying to coerce others into obeying
them so they can feel that they amount to something. Blaming also is a good way to create distance and
prevent others from getting too close. The blamers are good guilt inducers, for example, they may sa,
after all I have done for you, how could you do this to me? blamers negate other while focusing on

the context of the situation and on themselves. Nonverbal behaviors from the blamer send the message
that you never do anthing right. What is the matter with you?
Computer
Computers are calm and correct, show no feelings and speak like a recording. They pretend there is no
conflict when there is. Computer are the super-reasonable people. Their bodies reflect their rigid
personalities. They negate the context of the situation and others to concentrate on getting what they
want. They cover up their vulnerability with big word to establish self-worth. Nonverbal behaviors from
the computer send message that I am coll, calm and collected. they also may take the position of
see it my way at the expense of others and of the context of the situation.
Distractor
Distractor make completely irrelevant statements. They change the subject and never respond honestly.
Their strong point is evading the issue. They may even resort to withdrawing from the avoid a crisis or
conflict. Distracters negate all three elements of realty: self ,others, and context of the situation.
Leveler
Leveler communicate their honest thought and feelings in a straightforward manner that addresses
self,others and the context of the situation. Their verbal messages and nonverbal body posture are
consistent. Leveling occurs when all aspect of communication are congruent, body, vocal tone, context,
and facial expression.

Counseling method
The conseling method of conjoint family therapy involves the entire family and is based on
communication, interaction, and general information. The approach satir taught to families was both
physical and emotional. Counselors who prefer to work less with emotions and more with behavior find
the adlerian method more comfortable
Satir goals for family counseling were to establish the proper environment and to assist family members
in clarifying what they want or hope for themselves and for the family.
3 keys to satir system satir approach to family counseling focused on three key ingredients:
1. Increase the self esteem of all family members by facilitating their understanding of the family
system and teaching them to implement changes toward open system and nurturing attitudes
and behaviors
2. Help family members better understand and analyze their encounters with each other and learn
the leveling response so that they can improve and open communication paterns
3. Use expreriential learning techniques in the counseling setting to help the family understand
present interactions and encourage family members to take personal responsibility for their
own actions and feelings.
Satir technique family therapists.
Satirs games, which are used for counselor training, as well as family therapy, are based on her
definition of a growth model, which assumes that an individual behaviors change as a process
that is represented by transaction with other people.

People function fully when they are removed from the maladaptive system or when the system
is changed to promote growth. This model differs greatly from the sick model, which proposes
that a client thinking , value and attitudes are wrong and therefore must be changed, and from
the medical models, which purports that the cause of the problem is an illness located in the
patient.
Satir developed games to deal with the family games to deal with the family behavior when
family members operate within these three models. All family members are present during the
family counseling process, including the games.