Bowenian Family Theory And Minuchin Family Therapy

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).

To get a full understanding of family theory one must first have the understanding of what is theory. Theory is a systematic collection of concepts and relations. Family however can mean a broad range of things to a person. One person may consider family to be father, mother, sister and brother; however, to someone else family could be just one parent with one child; and to another it could their friends. Family systems theory however defines the family as a system. Family consist of interrelated parts, each impacting the other and adding to each other’s growth (or detriment) of the other. And because family is always changing, growing, self-organizing, and becoming accustomed to each other and the exterior environment (White & Klein, 2008). Now let’s take a look at the

Prior to establishing his theory post-World War II, Bowen studied the origins of schizophrenia and postulated that transgenerational maternal enmeshment was its cause. Bowen’s thoughts on this were similar to those on individuation. Though he believed psychoanalysis was too individualized for family therapy, the psychoanalytic notion that one’s interactions are driven by unconscious motivation was the theory’s germ of inspiration. Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) write that the most essential piece Bowen’s family systems theory is that the individual needs to resolve anxiety arising from their family of origin to find a sense of individuality. This concept is traceable to Bowen’s psychoanalytic roots as a psychiatrist.

Bowen believed that all of us, therapists included, experience and must face the challenges within our “family of origin.” This is the only way a therapist can become an objective participant in therapy, thereby normalizing human behavior for those in treatment (goodtherapy.org). Bowen believed a therapist must become an objective facilitator, directing conversations between members, issue by issue. He recognized that “unfinished emotional business stays with us, making us vulnerable to repeat conflicts we never worked out with our families” (Nichols 2017, p. 20). After this important work is complete, therapists are able encourage family members to develop personal relationships with as many family members as possible rather than treating the family as one cohesive unit (Nichols 2017,

In the system of family therapy Dr Murray Bowen developed a new approach to family therapy that was different from other family theorist because it emphasized on the family’s emotional system and its history that may be traced through the family dynamics of the parents, and grandparents. His approach looks at human emotions and the patterns that are commonly developed and similar in all family systems.

Bowen family systems theory is based on the view that the family is an emotional unit. The theory uses systems thinking to describe the interactions and relationships within the family. Given families are deeply

For this assignment, two different theoretical approaches will be discussed, Bowenian family therapy and structural family therapy, and they will be used individually to construct a treatment plan to help clients reach their goals. Within each treatment plan discussed, short-term and long-term goals of therapy will be established and the family’s presenting problems will be defined. Two techniques that will be assigned to help them reach their therapeutic goals and any expected outcome from using those techniques will be discussed.

Murray Bowen, a medical doctor by profession, and the oldest child in his family of origin, was one of the pioneers of family therapy. Bowen is affectionately recognized as the first family therapist in his time to identify that the history of an individual’s family creates a blueprint which shapes the values, thoughts, and experiences of each generation as well as how such characteristics are transmitted to the next generation. He studied schizophrenia extensively and associated that its cause was rooted in the mother-child relationship, which resulted in an anxious and unhealthy attachment. Bowen postulated the Family Systems theory, which places great emphasis on the premise that the family is shaped by counterbalancing forces he described

The Bowen family systems theory can utilize to understand the Gillison’s family dynamics. According to the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family (2016) the Bowen family system theory views family as an emotional unit that utilizes systems thinking to comprehend the complexity of the interactions within the unit. The theory describes families as having a major influence on their member’s thoughts, feelings and actions, which leads them to feel as if they are composed of the same “emotional skin”. The members of families, according to this theory, are driven by each other’s attention, approval, and support. The members therefore, react to each other’s expectations and wants and needs. The family is therefore interdependent. One change in one member’s function leads to a change in the functioning of the others. This is evidence in the case of the Gillison family.

Bowenian family counseling approach presents similar aspects that range throughout various family counseling theories. One approach to family counseling that is similar to Bowenian theory is structural therapy. Structural family counseling focuses on habitual behaviors and the role individual’s play in relation to those behaviors (Bohlinger, n.d.). Bowenian therapy reviews a minimum of three generations to assess transgenerational patterns. Both therapies point out a form of boundaries, however, Bowenian therapy looks to differentiate individuals within a family group, as oppose to structural therapy, which desires to change, clarify, and mark boundaries within a family (Nelson, n.d.). Experimental therapy recognizes discord when togetherness and autonomy are not balanced, like Bowenian therapy (Bohlinger, n.d.). Like solution based and cognitive–behavioral therapy, the role of the Bowenian counselor is to teach and coach clients (Nelson, n.d.). Also, like Milan therapy, Bowenian therapists are to remain neutral and avoid taking side within the family (avoid triangles) (Nelson, n.d.). Like object-relations therapy, Bowenian therapy seeks to help clients differentiate themselves (Nelson, n.d.). Although the Bowenian concept presents several similarities to other approaches, there are numerous

In conceptualising the development of the family system, Bowenian therapists are past-focused. They believe that emotional fusion that is passed down from one generation to the next is the cause of psychological problems (Nichols, 2010, pp 119-122). Normal family development according to Solution Focused therapist produces families with flexible structures, clear boundaries and well-organised hierarchies. This is quite similar to Bowenian’s concept of normal family development. Differentiated individuals after all need to have clear boundaries. Similarly, flexible structures and well-organised hierarchies do promote low anxiety and therefore generate positive emotional contact between family members. The difference is that instead of being past-focused, Solution Focused therapy assiduously avoids the past and focuses their clients as much as possible on the present and future. (Nichols, 2010, pp 321).

This paper is an analysis of my family history in Bowenian terms. I will examine four generations on my side of the family. I have included a genogram in the appendix to examine my personal intergenerational patterns for assessment. I will also examine my family of origin in the categories of race, ethnicity, religion, social class, geographic location, jobs, mental health and medical concerns. The paper concludes comparing Bowenian ideas to other systemic concepts.

As a Christian studying the nature of people, thoughts, and behaviors, it is inevitable for personal faith to strongly intertwine with the principles, theories, and ideas psychology presents. An important piece for understanding individuals is found in examining their family dynamics, coping skills, and family patterns. Bowenian therapy embodies how humans predictably function in relationships. Similar to the Bible and its instructions, which advises people how to conduct one’s self in fellowship and kinship with others. However, the Bible does not entirely explain how people are “emotionally affected by the fallen human relationship” (Brown, n.d.). The Bible provides evidence of the ultimate cause of disharmony and Bowen’s theory provides a thorough explanation of “emotional and relationship

My first assumption of family therapy was to involve the parents and the individual that had the problem. This book explored further what it

Family Therapy Concepts and Methods Bowen Family Systems Therapy is an approach used by Murray Bowen, who developed a system that gives an explanation for some families’ inability to thrive. The study is entitled An Intergenerational Approach to Family Therapy. People are products of their context; our actions are possessed or dominated by what goes on in our families. However; there are forces, past and present shaping these influences which are found within a larger network of family relationships.