Transformational Systemic Therapy May 2018 Blog Pic (002)It Started in Idaho

By Amanda Poffenberger

Over the years when my friends or family members inquired about my participation in STST trainings in Canada, I would tell them about my first job as a therapist out of graduate school. I was 24 years old at the time, and I had just moved to Idaho to start my career. I was working at a residential treatment facility when I was offered a temporary position as an interim therapist.

I gladly accepted this position and upon meeting the permanent therapist I was in awe of her work. As soon as I witnessed her conduct psychotherapy with the clients, I had to know more.

Being 24 and fresh out of graduate school, I still had lingering feelings of incompetence when working with clients. When I asked this therapist more about her sabbatical, she told me she would be teaching Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy internationally, and then she told me about STST Level I. Surely, a 10-day training would help cure my imposter syndrome.

The Level 1 training changed me forever: I made so many amazing discoveries about myself and my family. I found peace inside of me. I let go of so much shame I had been carting around. I experienced transformational change and I could literally feel myself in a different way from the inside out. My journey of personal work was taken to new heights. I walked away from that training with a different framework on how healing takes places in therapy. I no longer needed to have all the answers for my clients, I didn’t have to have a perfect grasp on any theoretical orientation, I just needed to bring more of myself to my clients.

My STST Level I certificate hangs on my wall next to my diploma to remind me of the inspiration, strength and hope I received in those 10 days. When I am feeling down or blue, I remind myself to get in-touch with my life energy or tap into my resources. I continue to strive to be the most expanded version of mySelf in this process of never ending self-creation.

Rampage of Appreciation

I am gentle on myself

I breath more deeply

The universe always takes care of me

I love following my intuition

I don’t mind sleeping on my decisions

I know that I’ll never get it done

People who come to me are on my wavelength

When I breathe deeply it tastes good

I love my body

I appreciate how comforting my environment is

People are uplifted in my presence

I can feel energy flow through my body

Everything is unfolding perfectly

I see the value in others

I belong

I want more

I am ready

I love focusing

Music ripples through my body when I allow it

I am worthy

I am loved

All is well