Satir Centre

Dr. Sandra E. S. Neil, PhD, MA (Clinical Psychology), BA, BEd (Counselling), FAPS, is a registered psychologist, a clinical psychologist and an individual, group, marital and family psychologist. She is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, and a member of the College of Clinical Psychology of the Australian Psychological Society. As World Area Chair and Past President of the International Council of Psychologists she chaired has presented eminent psychologists work on Human Rights and Global World Summits since 1982 in Portugal Spain, England, China, USA, Canada, Israel, Taiwan Philippines and Australia, and is the Australian representative of the International Academy of Family Psychologists. She is a Director of The Satir Centre of Australia. Her biography has been published in Who's Who In America, Who's Who in the World, and Who's Who in Medicine and the Health Sciences.

Dr. Neil has over 36 years experience working as a clinical psychologist, family therapist and individual, marital and group psychotherapist. She has conducted professional workshops throughout the world. The Founder and Director of the Satir Centre of Australia, she is interested in a wide range of clinical problems and therapeutic approaches. She received specialized training in both psychiatry and psychology at St Vincent's Hospital, Prince Henry's Hospital, and the University of Melbourne, which awarded her a PhD for her research into psychotherapy in obesity and body image problems. She has worked internationally with many eminent psychologists and therapists, amongst whom are Dr. Virginia Satir (often called the 'Columbus of Psychotherapy'), Rollo May, Carl Whitaker, Erving Polster and Thomas Szasz.

Dr Sandra Neil and Dr Simonne Neil published "The Family Over 3 Continents and Four Generations" in 2001; and published (with Dr. Robert L. Silverberg) in 1995, "The Multicultural Family Chessboard", which describes a multicultural therapy method they have used with individuals, families and organisations in many countries. In 1997-2003 Dr Neil chaired and organised the "Depression Special Interest Project" for the Australian Psychological Society Victorian Branch; this resulted in a book published in late 2003, "Psychologists Working With Depression Across the Life Cycle," edited by Prof. S. Lancaster. In 2004 Dr Neil wrote a chapter for a Festschrift for Dr. Florence Kaslow in the American Journal of Family Therapy (Volume 15, Issues 1 & 2. 2004); which was published as the paper "The Family Chessboard and Projective Genogramming: Two Tools For Exploring Family Systems," by Hayworth Press, USA. In 2005 she contributed a chapter entitled "Enhancing Family Resilience: A Transgenerational Approach To Positive Change in Dysfunctional Families." in the book "Resilience for Today," edited by Dr. Edith Grotberg, Praeger, London.

On May 15th 2008 a Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, was held in New York. This Conference commemorated the UN's International Day of the Family, and was entitled "The NGO Committee on the Family–Father's Roles and Responsibilities in the Family: Challenges and Opportunities." Held at the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA. Dr Sandra Neil was one of the Distinguished Invited Speakers, in addition to Prof. A.J. Franklin, PhD. Department of Counselling, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Boston College; Dr. Nurper Ulkuer, PhD., Chief, Early Development, UNICEF, a spokesperson from the Government of Austria, Dr Joseph Lao, PhD, President ADC International (an organisation concerned with parenting skills) and Adjunct Associate Professor, Human Development Department, Columbia University and Hunter College, New York. The moderators were the Co-Chairs of the UN's NGO Committee on the Family – Dr Harold Cook, PhD, of the International Union of Psychological Science and American Psychological Association; and Dr. Eva Sandis, PhD, of the International Council of Psychologists. Dr Neil presented a detailed clinical paper entitled "Fathering - a Job For Real Men (And In Some Measure,Women)."

Aware that people can be steeled by adversity, Dr Neil works towards enhancing the process of growth in the individual, and the family and the nation. She believes that therapy works best when it aims to heal the wounds, feed the emotional hungers, empower the self, and give freedom of choices to the person. "People can truly become their own responsible decision makers and have equality of value if they truly honour themselves and others.

Dr. Robert L. N. Silverberg, MD, BS, BA, FAAFP, is a registered medical practitioner specialising in the areas of psychological medicine, medical psychotherapy, professional counselling, and individual, group, marital and family therapy. He is a Director of the Satir Centre of Australia, and has served in the Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, at St. Vincent's Hospital. He is a member of the Medical Staff at Cabrini Hospital, Malvern.

Dr. Silverberg is a physician, psychotherapist, and family therapist with over 35 years of clinical experience. Born in America, he received his medical training and specialist qualifications there. He has studied with many of the most prominent physicians, psychologists, and therapists during his own extensive career. In the USA, he served as Physician to the Hospital at the Reading Hospital and Medical Centre, Reading, Pennsylvania; and as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Temple University School of Medicine. He also served as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy, based both at large Naval Hospitals and at sea. In addition to his extensive work in the therapeutic model of Dr Virginia Satir, he has worked with other experts such as Milton Erickson, Salvador Minuchin, Carl Whitaker, and Joseph Wolpe. Over the years Dr Silverberg has lectured and conducted training workshops throughout Australia, America, Europe, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia. Some of his recent topics have included "Eclectic Psychotherapy," "The Art of Psychotherapy," "Culturally Congruent Psychotherapy," "The Psyche and The Soma" and "Strengthening Families." As well as his clinical work as Director of the Satir Centre of Australia, Dr. Silverberg has taught in the Medical School of the University of Melbourne in the Clinical School at St Vincent's Hospital. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a Member of both the Australian Medical Association and the American Medical Association, and a Member of Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

As a specialist in psychological medicine, Dr. Silverberg believes that improved emotional and physical health results from a better understanding of self and others, within the context of a person's relationships, family and work. Dr. Silverberg's aim is for people to develop effective strategies for change, improved personal self-worth, and better family and professional communications and relationships. He has an enthusiastic interest in the relationship between physical and emotional health; and in personal, relationship, and family well-being.