Bowen Theory in Action: A Monthly Seminar Series
The overall goal is to help family members become 'systems experts'...
Murray Bowen
Murray Bowen began to videotape clinical sessions in the early 1960's as
teaching examples of how people use Bowen theory to bring about changes
in their own functioningand in their family. Some of the tapes focus on
specific symptoms, psychotic episodes, marital problems, physical
symptoms, or substance abuse, for example. Other tapes focus on family
process itself such as emotional cutoff, child focus ormultigenerational
family triangles. All of the tapes illustrate the process of
differentiation of self with Dr. Bowen or one of the faculty at The
Bowen Center as coach.
This seminar series is open to family members and to professionals who
have some prior knowledge of Bowen family systems theory. It is best
when combined with coaching to learn and use Bowen theory to understand
one's own family system and for work on differentiation of self.
Recommended reading will accompany each seminar.
Each session will be scheduled one Tuesday a month in the morning and in
the evening. The fee is $50 a session or $450 for the series of ten
seminars. CEU's in Social Work, LPC, and LMFT are available upon
request with a fee of $10 per session.
Register now and pay by check or credit card.
Dates & Topics:
Tuesday, September 23, 2008: 9 - 11:30 AM & 6:30 - 9:00 PM (Double feature)
Defining a Self in One's Own Family: Part 1 and Part 2
Murray Bowen outlines many of the ways people use Bowen theory to study their own family and define more of a self in the process. He will discuss common obstacles and lay the groundwork for later tapes in the series.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 21
Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
One Year of Family Therapy with the Same Family
This tape combines segments from 12 sessions with one family over a year that demonstrates the process of therapy and what can be accomplished.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 16
Tuesday, December 2,2008: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Focus on Extended Family in Therapy
This tape deals specifically with extended family contact over a five year period. It demonstrates coaching a wife with frequent visits to her family and the results of her effort to define herself in the family of origin.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 9
Tuesday, January 27, 2009: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Differentiation in the Three-Generation Triangle
This tape communicates the idea that parents can be most effective in dealing with a child-focused problem by working towards maturity in relation to their own parents and family. Segments from actual family therapy sessions are combined with didactic presentation.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 18
Tuesday, February 24, 2009: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Psychotic Reaction: A Family Systems Phenomenon
Emotional reactions leading to psychosis are discussed in relation to adaptation in marriage. Change in the symptomatic spouse's functional position is described and illustrated as basic to the progress she made.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter Chapter 14
Tuesday, March 24, 2009: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Bypassing the Nuclear Family
Conflict in a marriage will dissipate over time if either spouse is able to define a self in his or her own family of origin. This tape describes the process by which one person better understands his or her family and establishes calmer, more objective relationships.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 22
Tuesday, April 21, 2009: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Towards Resolution of Emotional Attachment to Past Generations
Examples from ongoing therapy sessions illustrate the concept that change in self is best achieved by modifying one's functioning in relation to parents and extended family.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 22
Tuesday, May 26, 2009: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Toward Differentiating a Self in Caring for Aging Parents
Dr. Bowen interviews a family who discusses the unique opportunities to change self presented by caring for elderly and infirm parents in one's own home.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 15
Tuesday, June 23, 2009: 9:00 - 11:30 AM & 6:30 - 9:00 PM (Double Feature)
Chemical Dependency and Systems Thinking
A couple discusses factors that play a part in the development of alcohol problems and the impact of those problems on their children. A second tape discusses the changes that were accomplished over a year of work within their own family.
Recommended Reading: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Chapter 12
Tuesday, July 28, 2009: 9:00 - 11:00 AM & 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Differentiation of Self as the Basis for Change with Symptoms that Impact Health
Victoria Harrison will discuss videotaped segments of one woman's work on differentiation of self and the progress she made in long-standing physical symptoms.
