Bowen Family Therapy Flashcards
Bowen Family Therapy
Theory of Change
Change occurs by understanding multi-generational dynamics and differentiation.
Bowen Family Therapy
Therapist’s Role
- Coach/educator
- Supervisor
- Investigator
- Neutral
Bowen Family Therapy
Treatment Goals
- Reduce anxiety and emotional turmoil in family system
- Self-differentiation within the context of family
- Decrease emotional fusion
- Reduce emotional reactivity
- Improve communication skills
- Decrease recurrence of dysfunctional patterns
- Facilitate detriangulation
Bowen Family Therapy - Key Concepts
Triangles
A triangle is a three-person relationship system. It is considered the building block or “molecule” of larger emotional systems because a triangle is the
smallest stable relationship system.
Bowen Family Therapy - Key Concepts
Differentiation of Self
Families and other social groups tremendously affect how people think, feel, and act, but individuals vary in their susceptibility to a “group think” and groups vary in the amount of pressure they exert for conformity. These differences between individuals and between groups reflect differences in people’s levels of differentiation of self.
Bowen Family Therapy - Key Concepts
Nuclear Family Emotional System
The concept of the nuclear family emotional
system describes four basic relationship patterns that govern where problems develop in a family. People’s attitudes and beliefs about relationships play a role in
the patterns, but the forces primarily driving them are part of the emotional system.
Bowen Family Therapy - Key Concepts
Family Projection Process
The family projection process describes the primary
way parents transmit their emotional problems to a child. The projection process can impair the functioning of one or more children and increase their vulnerability to clinical symptoms.
Bowen Family Therapy - Key Concepts
Multigenerational Transmission Process
The concept of the multigenerational transmission process describes how small differences in the levels of differentiation between parents and their offspring lead over many generations to marked
differences in differentiation among the members of a multigenerational family.
Bowen Family Therapy - Key Concepts
Emotional Cutoff
The concept of emotional cutoff describes people managing their unresolved emotional issues with parents, siblings, and other family members by
reducing or totally cutting off emotional contact with them.
Bowen Family Therapy - Key Concepts
Genogram
Extensive study of family’s history. Acts both as an assessment and treatment tool
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
• Reduce emotional reactivity by having family members talk to the therapist
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Reframing
The presenting problem as a multigenerational problem that is caused by factors beyond the individual
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Genogram
Create a multigenerational map of family emotional system
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
De-triangulation
Therapist becomes part of a “healthy triangle” where the therapist teaches the couple to manage their own anxiety, distance, and closeness in healthy ways
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Increasing Differentiation
By forming supportive relationship with family members
to explore the origins and effects of their families beliefs and behaviors
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Teaching “I” Statements
Increases differentiation
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Opening Cut-Off Relationships
Encouraging and supporting clients to reengage
with estranged family members
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Interacts with Family
Interrupts arguments –open conflict is prohibited as it raises anxiety
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Models
Demonstrates new ways to interact and communicate
Bowen Family Therapy - Interventions
Bibliotherapy
Assigning reading material
Bowen Family Therapy - Phases of Treatment
Beginning
Create a family diagram of multigenerational emotional connections; assess individuals’ levels of differentiation and triangulation; identify dysfunctional patterns that have been passed along through the generations
Bowen Family Therapy
Middle
Teach and model differentiation through communication skill building; de-triangulation; encourage reunification from cutoff family member; teach the family how
to take responsibility for their feelings and thoughts
Bowen Family Therapy
End
Review new skills and knowledge gained in therapy
