Seminars in Bowen Family Systems Theory have replaced the Educational and Consultation Program offered since 2002. The Seminar, which meets at Clark University in Worcester, MA, will allow all participants, including members of the New England Seminar on Bowen Theory, to present their individual effort to further their understanding of theory.
Topics may include (although not limited to) efforts to differentiate a self in the nuclear and extended family, the role of theory in clinical practice, the emotional processes operating in organizations and society, the impact of anxiety and level of differentiation on symptom development in families and other human systems, and the eight concepts of Bowen theory as presented by Bowen and others.
The objective of the Seminars in Bowen Family Systems Theory is to create an environment that allows participants to hear theory for the first time or to expand their current knowledge of theory. The combination of participants at all different levels in the effort to learn theory is expected to enhance the teaching-learning process for all.
Program Schedule and Presentations:
9/18/09
Highways in the Nervous System:
Lessons from the Squid Giant Axon
Joseph De Giorgis, PhD
Within neurons, the specialized cells of the nervous system, intercellular cargoes are transported along tracks powered by proteins that act as molecular motors. These motors are members of three unique protein families that act in concert to move cargoes to their final destinations. J. DeGiorgis's research focuses on the individual roles of each motor protein, what specific cargo each carries, and to what destination. Additionally, problems in the transport process lead to neurological disease. Understanding how the transport process occurs in healthy neurons provides an opportunity to understand what goes array under aberrant circumstances.
12/04/09
Two Approaches for Working with
Couples:
A Clinical Format for Highly Reactive
Couples: An Approach Based on Bowen
Theory
Peter Titelman, PhD
Building Intimacy Bridges: From the
Marriage Checkup to Integrative Behavioral
Couple Therapy
James Cordova, PhD and Melinda Morrill, MSW
2/05/10
News Media, Communications and
Societal Regression
Barbara LeBlanc, BA
This presentation is to develop thinking about how social communication in various forms - particuarly news and social media - can contributes to reactive behavior and thus symptoms in society. It will examine how the reporting of certain events, such as a suicide, can produce "copy cat" events and relate that to the barrage of information now available on many events that can stimulate anxiety in individuals and populations. It will address the question of what responsible reporting of news might look like.
4/23/10
A Systems View of Self-Injurious Behavior
Erik Thompson, MA
The goal of this presentation is to develop clarity of thinking about the social nature of alarm stimulating behavior and to highlight alternative engagement strategies known to be effective in managing these behaviors. When emotional togetherness leads caregivers to become caught in an anxious protective or rescuing position, they are at greater risk of reinforcing the behavior, and participating in the development of more chronic behavior. They are also at greater risk of intrusive, coercive and judgmental responses. Responses that emphasize peron-person conection, freedom from commands or judgments, I positions, and differentiation tend to have a settling effect on behavioral intensity.
Concern for safety is natural but it can be hard to think clearly about risk in an anxious emotional field. Risk assessment ought to be guided by an understanding of the concept of rescue-ability, or the likelihood that an injured person will be rescued. Optimal risk management is mindful of its limits and of the risks associated with over-responsible positions.
Dr. Papero will present a day on the process of differentiation. It will include both theory and clinical applications. The latter will include video tapes of individuals and couples who are working on differentiation of self.
The concept of differentiation of self lies at the heart of the Bowen theory. It has presented the greatest challenge to students over the years of any of Bowen's concepts and continues to do so. Although the concept can be described rather simply, its nuance and detail presents significant challenge to understanding. Often comprehension comes only with determined effort to use the concept personally, to apply it to oneself in addressing the problems one faces.
The work to apply the concept of differentiation to oneself can be demanding but the return on the effort can be substantial. People work on understanding and applying the concept of differentiation of self in many ways and in many arenas, although the premier arena is one's own family. Systems thinking becomes a critical tool in the effort. People work to discern the facts of problems in the sea of emotion, opinions, and feelings about the situation. They observes and begin to manage their sensitivity and reactivity to important others.They strive to be clear about their own beliefs and principles and to govern themselves in accordance with them. All the while they aim to maintain the greatest level of respect they can muster for other people. The ultimate step comes when one "defines oneself" to important others.
Please join us for this important annual spring conference.
For further information and a registration form click here
Contact Peter Titelman with any questions.
Petertitelman@gmail.com