Virginia Satir (1916-1988) was one of the major pioneers in family therapy. Internationally acclaimed as a therapist, lecturer, and trainer of other therapists, she was known for her special warmth and her remarkable insight into human communication and self-esteem. Her work influenced many other theorists, writers, leaders, and therapists throughout the world. Her best-selling work, New Peoplemaking (revised shortly before her death) is probably the clearest and most inclusive description of family life available. And the third edition of her Conjoint Family Therapy remains a classic in the field of family dynamics. John Banmen, R. Psych., RMFT is internationally known as an author, therapist and educator. His training programs have taken him to over a dozen countries in Asia, Europe, South America and North America. John's co-authored book, The Satir Model: Family Therapy and Beyond (1991), received the AAMFT/Satir Research and Education prize in 1994. He is editor of Meditations and Inspirations (1985) and Meditations of Virginia Satir: Peace Within, Peace Between and Peace Among (2003).Dr. Banmen is the founding president of the BC Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), a former member of the Board of Directors of the BC Psychological Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the International Family Therapy Association and the Director of Training for the Satir Institute of the Pacific.Dr. Banmen is a former honorary Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong and was on faculty at the University of British Columbia for 21 years. He is an Approved Supervisor with AAMFT and provides extensive supervision for counsellors, psychotherapist and family therapists. He also practices privately in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, with individuals and couples in family therapy.Two books he edited were recently published, namely Application of the Satir Growth Model (2006), and Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy (2007). Both will be published in Chinese in 2008. He is presently putting much of his time into expanding the use of the Satir Model (STST) in China.
