To live more fully...

Do you sometimes wonder if there might be a little bit more to you than you might be aware? When you were young, did you say, "I'll never do that when I'm grown up," but now find yourself doing it anyway? Might there be different ways of reacting to situations that come up in daily life? Would you like to see your family ... your workmates ... yourself ... in a more positive light? What about having a better sense of where you might be going in life?

We hold various workshops throughout the year that can help you look at life in a new way.  Join us on a shared but unique voyage of discovery into the wonderful being that is you.

The Centre

Under the leadership of Dr. Janet Christie-Seely, the Satir Learning Centre of Ottawa presents workshops that teach you methods that help you choose, at a very deep personal level, how you react to what life presents you each day, every minute. These methods were developed by Virginia Satir and others.

A core principle of the Satir method is "congruent" communication, a style of communicating that allows people to give honest expression to their thoughts and feelings while ensuring that their verbal and non-verbal messages are in accord, or congruent.

Virginia Satir

Virginia Satir (1916-1988) was a pioneer in family systems therapy and an inspiration to generations of family therapists.  The Satir Model helps people rediscover their essential value through exercises that encourage self-awareness and personal growth.  Her legacy is a vibrant network of therapists and lay people who continue to be involved in the Virginia Satir Global Network or in the Satir Institutes worldwide.

Upcoming workshops

Your many parts

Do you sometimes have one side of you telling you one thing and another side of you telling you another:  the good "angel" on one shoulder and the troublemaker "devil" on the other shoulder?  Family therapist Virginia Satir noticed them, too, and came up with the Parts' Party.

The workshop on this weekend outlines the methods and philosophy of Virginia Satir and then demonstrates, in depth, her powerful and playful Parts' Party.  This tool deals with the serious subject of internal conflict and relationship conflict.

Date(s) and time(s): 
Saturday, 6 March 2010 - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Date(s) and time(s): 
Sunday, 7 March 2010 - 9:00am - 5:00pm

Your many parts - intro session

 The Satir Learning Centre of Ottawa will present an introductory session about the upcoming workshop, Your Many Parts.  At this session, we will give you an overview of what will be covered, along with some techniques that you can take away that will let you understand yourself and others better.  If you decide to attend the workshop, the price of this session will be applied in full to the price of the workshop.

Location:  Satir Learning Centre of Ottawa, 3427 Greenbank Road
Cost:  $10

Pre-registration is not required for this session.

Date(s) and time(s): 
Friday, 19 February 2010 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

See your life and your family through a new lens

Improve communications within your family

Let's take a look around...What if you could find a way to look at your life differently?

What if you could find the key to understanding yourself and why you repeatedly experience the same challenges in your professional and personal relationships

What if you could get past any anger, hurt, and fear in your life?

What if you could learn how to feel great about yourself and become aware of the power you have to reshape your life?

Come to an intensive, transformational weekend workshop for individuals and families based on the work of pioneer family-systems therapist Virginia Satir.  Learn tools for self-discovery, raising self-esteem, and relating to others.  See how family patterns through the generations impact your life now.

Date(s) and time(s): 
Friday, 23 April 2010 - 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Date(s) and time(s): 
Saturday, 24 April 2010 - 9:00am - 9:00pm
Date(s) and time(s): 
Sunday, 25 April 2010 - 9:00am - 7:00pm

See your life and your family through a new lens - intro session

The Satir Learning Centre of Ottawa will present an introductory session about the upcoming workshop, See your life and your family through a new lens.  At this session, we will give you an overview of what will be covered, along with some techniques that you can take away that will let you understand yourself and others better.  If you decide to attend the workshop, the price of this session will be applied in full to the price of the workshop.

Location:  Satir Learning Centre of Ottawa, 3427 Greenbank Road
Cost:  $10

Pre-registration is not required for this session.

Date(s) and time(s): 
Friday, 9 April 2010 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm