The Satir Model in Addiction Recovery: Supporting Early Abstinence through Experiential Practice

“An experiential training for mental health and addiction professionals, offering skills to support early abstinence by exploring internal resources, systemic influences, and practical alternatives to dysfunctional coping.”

A Professional Developement Opportunity

October 27, 28, 2025 9:00 am to 2:30 pm (PACIFIC TIME)

with W. James (Jim) Edwards, BSW, RSW, CACC, and Tricia Antoniuk, MSW, RSW

This short course introduces practitioners to Satir-informed methods for working with individuals in early abstinent recovery—a critical period of heightened stress and relapse risk. Participants will explore:

• The role of spiritual connection and internal resources in healing
• Satir’s view of addiction as a coping strategy for trauma and systemic dysfunction
• Experiential tools to support congruent coping, self-compassion, and connection
• Practical alternatives to survival coping stances
• Approaches to managing post-acute withdrawal symptoms and building resilience

Virginia Satir understood spirituality as a deep connection to one’s essence, breath, or Spirit. This internal sense of belonging supports meaningful, healthy living and is often seen as a powerful antidote to addiction.

Substance and process use disorders, according to Satir, are not the core problem but a response to unresolved trauma, disorganized attachment, and adverse childhood experiences. As she noted:

“Drugs, alcohol, illness, and being institutionalized are dysfunctional ways of coping.”(The Satir Model, p. 63)

When families experience overwhelming pain, substance use may emerge as a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, the addiction often becomes the focus in treatment, while the original systemic pain remains buried:

“When the family finally goes for therapy, the alcohol abuse is often the focus, while the original systemic family pain has gone underground.”  “The therapeutic task is to find the thread that leads back to the original systemic crisis.”(The Satir Model, p. 100-101)

Benefits of this workshop:
• Gain practical tools grounded in the Satir Model
• Enhance trauma-informed practice with experiential methods
• Improve outcomes for clients in early recovery

Who Should Attend:
Mental health professionals, addiction counselors, social workers, and allied practitioners working with individuals or families affected by substance or process use disorders.

Format:
Virtual online sessions; October 27, 28th 2025 – 0900-1430 hours (9:00 am to 2:30 pm PACIFIC TIME), 11 hours over 2 days. This professional development course is experiential in nature, combining theory, practice, and reflective integration.

Tickets:
Individual attendees $350  BONUS SUMMER SALE 10% off ticket price until September 21st
Group Attendees $875 Purchase two, and get the 3rd attendee at 1/2 price*

* Must be purchased at the same time