Online via Zoom

A Research Attitude in Clinical Practice

Laura Brooks, LCSW-C

What is a research attitude and what difference does it make to the client and the coach? This presentation will examine manifestations of a research attitude in a psychotherapeutic effort towards differentiation. Client interviews will highlight behavioral indicators of family of origin work and progress towards working on differentiation. 

*Hybrid

In-Person Venue: The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital: 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003.

OR Online via Zoom

How the Clinician Thinks

Daniel V. Papero, PhD, LCSW and Randall T. Frost, MDiv

The clinical process has often been called an art. While there is some truth to that assertion, it might actually be more accurate to call the process a science.  If the term science can be defined as a systematically organized body of knowledge on a particular subject, then the Bowen theory coach operates scientifically. Drawing upon their knowledge about how the family system operates, on information drawn from scientific research across a number of disciplines, and on the inductive and deductive reasoning of the scientific thinker, the coach becomes a scientist who applies knowledge derived from the processes of science to specific problems people encounter. This clinical conference will focus on how the clinician thinks and the science of coaching. 

This will be an online conference held via Zoom.

This is a hybrid conference, with limited in-person seating, and unlimited online tickets. In-person tickets are on a first-come-first-served basis. When registering, participants will be prompted to select in-person or online. Attendance details will be emailed upon registration.

Presenter: Douglas C. Murphy, MA, LCMFT

Family of Origin Work: The myths, the facts and the real-lift story…

This writer’s recent research into Dr. Bowen’s archival papers revealed the importance that Dr. Bowen placed on one’s family of origin work. His own words about family of origin work from the archives will be presented to delve further into what Bowen meant by family of origin work. Individuals interpret Bowen’s concept family of origin work in many ways. Bowen would say you “hear” or interpret what the construct means based on your level of differentiation of self.  

Presenter: Randall T. Frost, MDiv

Faith and Functioning

Murray Bowen stated that his theory of family systems is based on facts and facts alone.  Can facts be observed in how faith functions among different families, individuals, and communities of faith?  What may Bowen theory contribute to those who seek to function according to the ideals of the best of their religious traditions? 

This meeting will build on the two-day conference that precedes it.  The conference will include videotaped interviews with people from two different families for whom both religious faith and Bowen theory have been important.   

Presenter: Jake Morrill, MDiv, MA

Clinically Deft": Play and Anxiety in a Coaching Session

Effective coaching can interrupt the client's self-sustaining and unproductive patterns of thought, as well as interrupting the automatic processes in the relationship. One approach to such interruption is the clinical use of strategic playfulness. Across species, social play functions in part to develop the capacity to countenance ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty, and to manage one's own anxiety. This Clinical Conference will engage attendees in reflection on the potential, and risks, of the clinical use of play. 

Presenter: Robert J. Noone, PhD

Bowen theory Development and Psychology

Murray Bowen developed a new formal theory of the family and human behavior. The theory was based on his observations, experiments, and conceptualizations along with a survey of the scientific literature while he was at the Menninger Foundation, NIMH, and Georgetown University. His research went hand-in-glove with the practice of psychotherapy. In this clinical conference the effort to move toward science and a theory-based family systems psychotherapy will be discussed. A brief description of one of Bowen’s experiments will be included. 

Presenter: Amie Post, MS, LCMFT

Tango Through Transitions with the Thinking Bowen theory Provides

Life is full of transitions - from single to partnered, additions of new family members, losses of important relationships, changes in work and community. Conventional theory would consider the external stressors and invite taking time for self, connection with caring others and perhaps even cutting out the changes that are too much. Bowen theory helps us think beyond a one size fits all set of solutions. This clinical conference will consider the variation in response to life transition and explore how differentiation of self provides a way of thinking about how to navigate with increased flexibility and resiliency.  

Presenter: Daniel Papero, PhD

Triangle Theory in Family Psychotherapy

The process of family psychotherapy aims to assist a motivated family member shift functioning within a significant family triangle.  If that triangle can attain a higher level of differentiated functioning, the effects ripple through the entire family emotional system.  This clinical day will explore the theory of the triangle and its role in the clinical process. 

Cutoff, estrangement, and going no contact is something therapists and clinicians hear their clients talking about on a regular basis. How does cutoff affect a family long term? What difference does it make to look at cutoff through a systems thinking lens? These are some of the questions that will be discussed in the conference. During this day leaders in family systems will share their thoughts and knowledge about cutoff and other concepts in Bowen Theory.

The Bowen Center’s Fall Fundamentals Conference provides background on family systems thinking related to a topic of current interest to therapists in clinical practice. This will be a hybrid conference held at the University of the District of Columbia and via Zoom.

The Bowen Center’s Fall Fundamentals Conference provides background on family systems thinking related to a topic of current interest to therapists in clinical practice. This will be a hybrid conference held at the University of the District of Columbia and via Zoom

Presenter: Douglas C. Murphy, MA, LCMFT

Clients Engagement with Bowen Family Systems theory

Clients referred to clinicians who utilize Bowen Family Systems Theory as the basis for their theoretical approach encounter a way of thinking and proceeding in understanding and engaging their difficulties that is often unfamiliar to their conceptualizations of “psychotherapy” or “counseling.” This Clinical Conference will explore these encounters.

Presenter: Randall T. Frost, MDiv

Clinical Research Based on Bowen theory

Murray Bowen entitled the epilogue to Family Evaluation, "An Odyssey Toward Science". When discussing the integration of theory and therapy as part of the odyssey he wrote, "There was theoretical evidence that theory might someday become a real science. Therapists could help if they could find a way to govern their thinking in a scientific direction." (Family Evaluation, pg. 365)

This conference will demonstrate the use of a model of clinical research that may help clinicians "govern their thinking in a more scientific direction." The model is derived from the same methodology that Bowen used to develop the theory in tandem with family psychotherapy.

Presenter: Anne McKnight, EdD, LCSW

What Difference Does it Make in One’s Life to Work on Differentiation of Self?

Bowen theory posits that the effort for Differentiation of Self in one’s family has an impact both on one’s own life and the life of one’s family. Differentiation of Self is not an endpoint but a process toward more mature functioning. In this conference, individuals will be interviewed who have made significant efforts toward differentiation. These efforts include gaining perspective and knowledge through research on their families, understanding triangles, bridging cutoff, and the work to define themselves in important relationships.

Presenter: Priscilla J. Friesen, LICSW

Growing Older with Bowen theory

The aging process varies between different individuals and within families. Bowen theory suggests that individuals and families adapt to this natural life process based upon their level of interdependence. Working on differentiation of self, however, is a lifelong process.

This Clinical Conference will explore the opportunities present to define a self as people age and face life challenges. What are the challenges for individuals as they age? What are the challenges for the family? How do families benefit from the older individual defining a self?

The focus is on how defining a self, informed by Bowen theory guides the thinking, feeling and actions when facing challenges of aging.

Presenter: Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT

What Changes in Bowen Family Systems Psychotherapy?

Ms. Harrison will talk with two clients who carefully documented changes in symptoms and functioning in the family while working on differentiation of self. Physiological reactions measured with biofeedback instruments, EEG and cortisol assay highlight interesting questions about evaluating the direction and outcome of therapy based in Bowen theory.

A digital copy of "Observations of Change While Working on Differentiation of Self: A Case Study based in Bowen Family Systems Theory and Therapy” will be provided all who register to attend this Clinical Conference.

Presenter: Daniel V. Papero, PhD

Fusion and Differentiation

In his writings, Murry Bowen uses the term fusion in at least two ways: 1. To refer to the blending or fusion of emotional and intellectual systems, and 2. To refer to the emotional fusion of people into a collective “oneness”. This clinical conference will explore the processes of fusion and the effort to “differentiate” oneself.

Presenter: Kent Webb, LCSW, PCC

Male Homosexuality and Differentiation of Self: Managing the Process and Associated Challenges

The process of Differentiation of Self will be described as it’s generally experienced by gay men. Important biological, social and familial variables are identified that influence the process. The components of Solid Self and Pseudo Self are a focus as they provide a lens for observing the development process of identifying and living life as a gay man. 5 stages of gay male development will be presented that reflect the processes of differentiation of self and related solid self-pseudo self-formation.

Presenter: Carrie E. Collier, PhD, LPC, CRC

Differentiation of Self: Living Bowen Theory.

What does engaging the family and maturing look like? The work on differentiation of self from one's family takes on different shapes over time. Learning how to recognize it and harness the best of differentiation of self portends preserving one’s mature self and is the key to aging successfully

Presenter: Kenton T. Derstine, MDiv, DMin

How does the effort of differentiation of self in one's family impact functioning in the workplace? In addition to exploring relevant theoretical elements two clinical interviews will be shown. These interviews will illustrate the interplay and the challenges of the effort of differentiation of self in one's family and in the workplace.

Presenter: Laura R. Brooks, LCSW-C

Multi-generational emotional process in the family unit

This presentation will describe how multi-generational emotional units operate in the human and other life forms. It will include an exploration of cross-fostering studies in epigenetic research and how it is reflected in family emotional process, including in adoptive families. Two interviews will highlight the benefits of viewing self in the context of the family as an emotional unit.

Presenter: Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT

Anxiety and Adaptation in Nature and the Family

Anxiety, defined as “Emotional reactiveness to threat,” is a capacity that is necessary for survival and adaptation rather than a diagnosis to avoid. Theoretical discussion and audiotaped interviews with clients will illustrate how anxious reactions work for good and explore questions about the future of human adaptation in the face of threats in the natural and social environment.

Presenter: Daniel V. Papero, PhD, LCSW

The Science of the Human and Family Psychotherapy

Dr. Bowen worked to substitute factual knowledge about human functioning for the more subjective “clinical judgment” that tends to govern clinical activities. That led to a focus on theory, resting upon direct observations and functional facts, to guide the clinical activity. This clinical conference will be directed to the science of the human in family psychotherapy and the role of theory in clinical activities.

What's love got to do with it? As Tina Turner wondered, who needs a heart when a heart can be broken? How can clinicians and clergy help people bring their best thinking to this often anxiety-producing part of life? A family systems view provides a different perspective on the intensity of sex, dating, and finding a partner. Join Bowen Center faculty members for a day full of discussion about what differentiation can look like in our relationships systems, from dating apps to deciding to tie the knot.