Gender matters in the satir growth model

This article reports research findings regarding ways in which Virginia Satir incorporated attention to gender in her growth model of family therapy. Characteristics of a feminist-informed approach to therapy were used as a conceptual framework for the research. Findings yielded three themes which characterize ways Satir incorporated gender in the growth model: (1) by paying attention to the societal context; (2) by transforming gender-based power inequities; and (3) by transforming old learnings about gendered roles. Areas of convergence and divergence between characteristics of the Satir growth model and feminist-informed therapy are examined.