The Bowenian Approach to Family Therapy Essay example

The family system is founded on the notions that for change to occur in the life of an individual, the therapist must understand and work with the family as a whole. In working with the family, the therapist can understand how the individual in counseling functions within his family system and how the client’s behaviors connect to other people in the family. This theory also holds the perception that symptoms are a set of family habits and patterns passed down by generation and not a result of a psychological problem or an inability to change (Corey, 2017). Furthermore, the family system theory holds the idea that when a change occurs everyone in the unit is affected by the change.

The goal of Bowen’ theory is to review developmental patterns within the familial system and the stress centered around the anxiety caused by closeness or the lack thereof (Penny, 1999). Bowen’s theory works to facilitate a decline in stress and anxiety by enabling the clients with education as to how the emotional system works and focusing on how to modify self perceptional behaviors instead of working to change others within the system (Penny, 1999).

Gladding, S. T. (2010). Family therapy: History, theory, and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson.

In The Family Crucible, Augustus Napier and Carl Whitaker’s form of therapy was strongly influenced by family systems theory, a burgeoning theory of the time. General systems theory examines relationships between elements that constitute a whole (Andreae, 2011, p. 243). When applied to families, this theory views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in the unit (The

This essay aims to compare and contrast the classical Bowen Family System Therapy to the more modern Solution Focused Therapy. Comparison will be made in the following areas (1) broad theoretical formulations, (2) normal family development, (3) development of behavioural disorder, (4) goals of therapy, (5) conditions for behavioural change, (6) assessment methods and (7) techniques. Note that in the last decade, parts of Bowen’s theories have been criticized due to the paucity of empirical evidence. For example, his

The systems Perspective sees human behavior as the outcome of interactions within and among systems with interrelated and interdependent parts; as defined by its boundaries. Changing one part of the system affects other parts and the whole system, with predictable patterns of behavior (Hutchinson, 2015). The family system has been a widely used theory of family interventions and assessment. The family systems theory is focused on the family dynamic, involving structures, roles, communication patterns, boundaries, and power relation (Rothbaum, 2004). Many theorist such as Bowen, developed the systems theory that focuses on how a

Comparing Bowen’s family systems theory and Minuchin’s structural family theory we will outline several fundamental categories for analysis with Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) as our guide. We also contrast the history and theoretical orientation of both men to garner a deeper understanding of their theories. Finally we will consider integrating elements of both theories and how this makes us more effective practitioners.

The role of intergenerational patterns is often used when referring to negative behaviors that are profoundly repeated throughout different generation (Birkenmaier, Berg-Weger & Dewees, 2014). Papero (2009) on the other hand, specifically linked the term intergenerational to relationship patterns that are being transmitted from one generation to another. To bring to light the immersion of intergenerational patterns, a brief understanding of Bowen’s Family Systems Theory is imperative. Bowen’s theory comprises of eight concepts and a major variable known as anxiety (Papero, 2014). All seven concepts address the family system while the eighth focus mainly on the social function of the society (Papero, 2014). In fact, one of the eighth concepts in Bowen theory is multigenerational transmission process playing an important role with intergenerational patterns. While conducting a systematic analysis of three generations within Lani family system, specific behaviors that were demonstrated were dysfunctional boundaries, marital outcomes, anxiety and transmission of parenting style.

The goal of each session is to manage anxiety and increase the client’s level of differentiation, incorporating “I-statements” (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013, p. 227). The evaluation interview begins with a telephone call between a combination of family members (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013, p. 223). A therapist is to remain neutral and avoid being triangled into family issues. Sessions focus on symptoms in relation to the presenting problem (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013, p. 223). The counselor gages each member’s perspective of the issue, while remaining aware of patterns of emotional functioning (Goldenberg, Goldenberg, 2013, p. 223). Sessions conclude with intentions to understand third-generation family systems. This part of the technique

Rabstejnek (2010) explains that differentiation and its antithesis fusion are Bowen’s terms to describe the extent to which people are able to separate their emotional and intellectual spheres. Highly fused people function automatically and respond emotionally to the life situations. Highly differentiated people on the other hand are people who have an autonomous intellectual system that can keep control over their emotional system (Nichols & Schwartz, 2004. p.123).

“Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions; yet our roots remain as one.” (A Place for Mom). Our family history is shaped from a single source. We all have a desire to know where we originated and who we are linked to. This desire can bring about joy and happiness, or maybe pain, and regret. Either side of the coin, it will bring a sense of closure for the one seeking this information. In this discussion, we will look at how Bowenian approach to the family assists in this search for answers, and what can be learned from the family structure.

Using six concepts that are intertwined together, Bowen’s theory describes how the family structures our level of autonomy and dependency in relationships.

Humans are naturally social beings. We have instinctual need to reach out to other individuals. Sometimes this is the case when dealing with issues or feelings. As with differentiation of self, Bowen’s triangle concept has an emotional component with anxiety at the core (H. Goldenberg & L. Goldenberg, 2013). Differentiation of self has an individual concept that is then applied to a couple or a family system. Where the concept of triangles differs is number of individuals involve. According to this concept, relationships only exist with two or more individuals. With two individuals, communication and stability may exist. The problem exists when anxiety or stress is introduced into the dyad. Bowen believed that couples or two individuals

Bowen’s Theory. This theory focusses on the emotional state of family, through emotional process and intellectual processes. Bowen introduces three techniques the emotional pursuer-distancer pattern, the ‘I position’ and explicit teaching. These are interesting techniques that I could see myself using, but as I read further to his stages of therapy I was a little perplexed. As I was not able to comprehend his style of therapy and the shift of systems from marital to self to family to social.

Individuals are best understood in the context of their families. Using a system perspective allows the counselor to shift the focus from the individual to patterns in their relationship. The behaviors of one member are linked to the behaviors of another member. With this revelation, we understand how the system functions and not just one member’s symptoms. According to Murray Bowen, our family history molds and shapes our values, thoughts and experiences. These make molds are often passed from one generation to the next. We carry values and thoughts into other systems. Conflicts arise when those values aren 't respected and clash with another member’s values.