Science catching up: Experiential family therapy and neuroscience

Abstract

Experiential family therapy, pioneered by Virginia Satir and Carl Whitaker, centered the experience of the "here and now," human authenticity and congruent communication in the work of psychotherapy. Their approach-often considered atypical and atheoretical-was popular for a while, then relegated as behavioral and cognitive theories developed. However, with the proliferation of modern neuroscience, particularly the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology, therapists can see neuroscience research providing hard data and respective frameworks delineating the underlying architecture for understanding the connections between the mind, emotions, behavior, and relationships. This article highlights the neurobiological mechanisms that explain why classic experiential family therapy was so powerful. The main tenets of both Carl Whitaker's symbolic experiential family therapy as well as Virginia Satir's model for peoplemaking are illuminated through the postulates and scientific findings of interpersonal neurobiology.

Keywords: Carl Whitaker; Virginia Satir; experiential family therapy; interpersonal neurobiology; neuroscience.