Training

Course Objectives

Bowen family systems theory offers people a way to conceptualize human behavior. It offers a way to think about, and focus on, a more objective way of understanding the relationships in which one lives as well as one's own functioning within these important relationships.

The objectives of each seminar will be to:

• Understand specific patterns of family and relationship interactions as described by Bowen family systems theory.
• Choose methods of intervention in assisting families toward desired change.
• Heighten awareness of the self of the trainee in clinical encounters.
• Learn to apply system principles of Bowen theory to one's self and to one's family of origin.
• Acquire a conceptual framework for understanding human functioning.

2012 Schedule

This series of monthly meetings will give trainees an opportunity to study the theoretical concepts of Bowen family systems theory. The morning program will be a didactic presentation of these theoretical concepts and a viewing of teaching tapes of the specific concept. The afternoon format will provide each trainee the opportunity to apply these concepts to clinical material.

Spring Semester:

February 24, 2012
Differentiation of Self

Concepts contained in Dr. Bowen's theory were guided by his thinking about the nature of man. The human was conceived as the most complex form of life that evolved from the lower forms of life and man was conceived as intimately connected with all living things. The emotional system enables an organism to receive information and to respond on the basis of it. The emotional system is thought to be the behavioral link between the human and other forms of life. The human's ability to think and reason, a function of the cerebral cortex, is the most important difference between the human and other forms of life. Distinguishing between emotion and thought in one's self and working to act in a more responsible, thoughtfully directed way is the work of differentiation of self. This presentation will illustrate these theoretical principles of Bowen theory with examples of clinical cases, and segments of the teaching tapes of Dr. Murray Bowen and Dr. Michael Kerr.

March 23, 2012
Triangles

Triangles are thought to be the basic molecule of the emotional system and the smallest stable relationship unit. When anxiety, stress, or emotional reactivity reaches a level of intensity between two people that disturbs the emotional balance and/or becomes intolerable, a third person is brought in. When one is in a triangle, the challenge is to understand how one contributes to triangles and how one is vulnerable to getting into triangles. This presentation will illustrate this theoretical principle of Bowen theory with examples of clinical cases, and viewing segments of the teaching tapes of Dr. Murray Bowen and Dr. Michael Kerr.

April 27, 2012
Nuclear Family Emotional Process

The concept of the nuclear family emotional system describes the patterns of emotional functioning in a family in a single generation. These emotional patterns begin with plans for a marriage and then follow through with: the types of relationships with families of origin; each spouses adjustment to the other before children; and the adjustment with each child to the system. The patterns of adaptive functioning at the nuclear family will go toward: marital conflict; physical, emotional, or social dysfunction in one spouse; projection of the parental problems to one or more children; or to a combination of all these patterns. This presentation will illustrate this theoretical principle of Bowen theory with examples of clinical cases and viewing segments of the teaching tapes of Dr. Murray Bowen and Dr. Michael Kerr.

June 1, 2012
Family Projection Process

The concept of family projection process describes how parents project part of their immaturity to one or more children. The pattern which is seen most frequently is one which operates through the mother with the mechanism which enables the mother to become less anxious by focusing on the child. Her husband is sensitive to her anxiety and supports her involvement with the child. The presentation will illustrate the theoretical principles of Bowen theory with examples of clinical cases and viewing segments of the teaching tapes of Dr. Murray Bowen and Dr. Michael Kerr.

Faculty

Brigitte Heffernan, LCSW; Joan McElroy, LCSW, CADC; Lee S. Gardner, LCSW

Tuition

$575 Four Training Days
$150 One Training Day

Time

9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Location

Straube Center
108 Straube Center Boulevard
Pennington, NJ 08534

CEUs

This Program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Provider Number 886506444) For 20 Continuing Education Contact Hours for Entire Program

5 Continuing Contact Hours for One Day

For more information contact us at or
609-924-0514

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