Introduction to Murray Bowen’s Theory of Human Functioning

This 7-month course is held online and meets monthly for 90 minutes. Mental health professionals, business leaders, leaders of faith communities, and many others have engaged with Bowen theory to understand their own functioning in their lives and in their work. This is an introduction for people who have little to no formal training or education in the theory. There are no prerequisites for this program, though some familiarity with Bowen theory is helpful.

2024-2025 Application Form

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Tuition and Registration Information

Registration for 2024-2025 is now open. Click the “2024-2025 Application Form” button at the top of this page to register online. The cost for the program is $900, To confirm your enrollment, the full tuition fee is required at the time of registration. Visit our Tuition Policy Page for fee questions and information. Class size is limited to 30 students.

This 7-month course is held online and will meet monthly for 90 minutes. The Intro course will be offered in two groups, limited to 30 people each. All sessions will be held on Tuesdays, with Group One meeting at 9 am EDT/EST (UTC -4/UTC -5) and Group Two meeting at 1 pm EDT/EST(UTC -4/UTC -5). Register directly for either Group One or Group Two after considering your time zone and the 2024-2025 dates listed below.

Purpose of the Program

Mental health professionals, business leaders, leaders of faith communities, and many others have engaged with Bowen theory to understand their own functioning in their lives and in their work. Participation in this course may lead to continued engagement with programs in Bowen theory at the Bowen Center.

Program Learning Focus

Participants will be introduced to Bowen theory as a way of thinking. The course will include presentations and discussion, readings and videos, an introduction to generating a family diagram, and an individual consultation session. This course involves applying theory to yourself and your family.

Dates 2024-2025

GROUP ONE - MORNING:

September 2024 - March 2025. Each session is on Tuesday from 9:00 - 10:30 am EDT/EST (UTC -4/UTC -5)

GROUP TWO - AFTERNOON:

October 2024 - April 2025. Each session is on Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:30 pm EDT/EST(UTC -4/UTC -5)

Session Topics

Session 1: Bowen Theory – A New Way of Thinking

History of Bowen theory
Systems thinking v. individual thinking.
Why all the science? How all the science?
Differentiation of self – a theory of human psychological functioning

Session 2: Bowen Theory: Getting Oriented, Getting Lost and Finding Your Way

Family diagram
8 concepts – emphasis on seeing nuclear family mechanisms and triangles.
Understanding past allows for future planning.

Session 3: Triangles, Differentiation of Self, Nuclear Family Emotional System
Beginning to explore the concepts:

The constant movement of interlocking triangles
The multiple facets of differentiation of self
The task of growing up from conception into adulthood in the nuclear family, adoptive family, or set of primary relationships.

Session 4: The Value of a Coach

What is the function of a coach?
What does coaching look like in Bowen theory?
Following session 4, individual consultation sessions can be scheduled with the course faculty. A list of dates and times for these sessions will be posted. Course members may sign up for an individual consultation session to occur between session 4 and 5.

Session 5: Exploring the Concepts
Sibling position, Family Projection Process, and Multi-generational Transmission Process.

How the concepts interact to describe human behavior.

Session 6: Exploring the Concepts
The question of Cutoff and participation in Societal Emotional Process.

Research and applications of the theory.

Session 7: Bringing it All together and Next Steps

Integration of theory to life
Your life: the epic research project
Opportunities at the Bowen Center and beyond

Program Head and Faculty

Program Head: The Rev. Edward Henley

The 9 am Group 1 faculty are: The Rev. Edward Henley and Ashley Mader, PhD, LICSW
The 1 pm Group 2 faculty are: Reverend Henley, Elayne Chou, PhD, and Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

Reverend Henley began his study of Bowen family systems theory in 1987. He studied in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center from 2014-2017. He is a regular presenter at the annual Faith Leadership Conference, coordinates the Faith Leadership Seminar, and is a presenter and coach in other Bowen Center programs. Rev. Henley joined the Bowen Center faculty in 2017. His clergy experience includes interim service in twelve congregations, as well as a pastorate of sixteen years (1997-2013). He continues to serve in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. He believes that Bowen theory focuses us on our own growth (which is the hardest work of all).

Elayne Chou, PhD, is a counseling psychologist with a practice in Oakland, California, specializing in coaching and consulting with individuals and families from a cross-cultural and Bowen family systems approach. She has a focus on working with Asian Americans, as well as in providing adoption-competent therapy to Asian adult adoptees and their families. She also works as an executive coach with leaders of color. Elayne has been Adjunct Faculty or Lecturer at San Francisco State University, Diablo Valley College, University of California-Irvine, and Renmin University in Beijing. She recently completed three years study of Bowen Theory through the Postgraduate Program at The Bowen Center, and served as a 2021-2022 Clinic Intern. As a Faculty Intern, Elayne looks forward to deepening her understanding of Bowen Theory through co-teaching the Intro course and in discussions with others also engaged in learning and applying the theory in their lives.

Ashley Mader, PhD, LICSW is a psychotherapist, coach and consultant specializing in sexuality, aging and family systems. Dr. Mader received her Masters in social work and Doctorate in human sexuality from Widener University in Pennsylvania. Throughout the years, Dr. Mader has presented at numerous national conferences on sexuality and aging. From 2016-2020, Dr. Mader co-hosted the podcast “Our Better Half.” In 2018, she began the post graduate program at the Bowen Center and has been attending it for the past four years and is currently an intern there. Dr. Mader has a private practice in Western Massachusetts.

Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC is a licensed professional counselor and writer. A graduate of The George Washington University and Harvard University, she also works as a mental health journalist. Her writing has appeared in Salon, Slate, New York Magazine, Psychology Today, Counseling Today, Psychotherapy Networker, and many other publications. Dr. Smith trained in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family from 2012-2014. She is interested in exploring how young adults engage with Bowen theory. She is the author of the book Everything Isn’t Terrible: Conquer Your Insecurities, Interrupt Your Anxiety, and Finally Calm Down, a collection of stories about her work with young adults using Bowen theory.

Continuing Education Information

The Introduction to Bowen Theory program provides a maximum of 10.5 CE credit hours of Category I continuing education (CEU/CE) for counseling and social work.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CEU/CE ELIGIBILITY:

Pay the CEU/CE fee of $40 at time of registration.
Attend each livestreamed or in-person class in its entirety. The program head will note your attendance in each class.

If livestreamed, enable video and show your name on the screen, so that you are visible throughout the entirety of the class, except during designated breaks or lunch.
Submit a completed evaluation no more than 60 days after the final class. Shortly after the submission of your completed evaluation, you will be emailed a certificate.

Policies: The Bowen Center does not offer refunds for CE. We do not offer continuing education credit for viewing class recordings. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to verify their state’s professional licensure criteria for CE qualifications.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Learn the eight concepts of Bowen theory
Learn how the eight concepts are integrated into a systemic understanding of human functioning
Learn other concepts of Bowen theory as they relate to acute and chronic anxiety, and togetherness and individuality
Learn of the coaching process in Bowen theory
Explore the key concept of Differentiation of Self

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center is authorized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to provide continuing education credit. This program is a Category I offering.

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6225. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

If you have any questions about Continuing Education, please email ceu@thebowencenter.org.

Questions

Questions about the course can be directed to Edward Henley.
Administrative questions regarding applications, registration, and payments may be sent to Rachel Burnham, Learning & Development Coordinator.

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