the 2025 Spring Conference

Sexual Diversity and the Human Family: A Bowen Theory Perspective

April 25-26, 2025 | Washington, DC or Online

This two-day conference will focus on sexual diversity as a variation in natural systems, including the human family. The topic will be viewed through the lens of Bowen theory, evolution, biology, genetics, hormonal processes, and the environment.

The Spring Conference is an annual conference that focuses on a single concept related to Bowen theory. Guest scientists, researchers, and leaders in the study of family systems offer presentations related to the topic during this two-day conference. There is ample time for questions and discussion with the audience.
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Guest Speaker

Joan Roughgarden, PhD, will be the distinguished guest scientist speaker. Dr. Roughgarden is an American ecologist and evolutionary biologist. She is Emeritus Professor at Stanford University, Department of Biology. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. She has written numerous books and articles regarding sexual diversity and evolution such as Evolutions Rainbow and The Genial Gene: Deconstructing Darwinian Selfishness. She also authored Chapter 30 “Homosexuality and Evolution: A Critical Appraisal” of the book, Human Nature. View Dr. Roughgarden’s articles here.

Dr. Roughgarden’s presentation is “Social Selection and Sexual Selection as Alternative Sex/Gender Systems for Explaining Sexual Reproduction.“

The notion of gender can be extended to non-human animals (and plants). Sex is classified by type of gametes produced—male (sperm), female (eggs), hermaphrodite (both). Gender is the differential morphology and behavior of bodies classified by sex.

Biological discussions of sex express a world view of nature. The sexual-selection program to explain biological reproduction features competition, lying, stealing, and cheating as its central narrative. It is also political, seeking to naturalize genetic hierarchy, patriarchy, privilege, and class. The social-selection program features cooperation as its central narrative—it distinguishes between competition at the gene-pool level and cooperation at the behavioral level. A table is presented that summarizes the many differences between the sexual-selection and social-selection programs.

In particular, homosexuality is a special case of many affiliative behaviors including mutual grooming, preening, and vocalizations that involve the exchange of pleasure. This promotes coordination and provides a proximal motivation to cooperate.

Conference Details & Register

Dates: Friday, April 25 - Saturday, April 26, 2025
Location: Online or In-person at:
The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Please see our Accommodations section for hotel suggestions.

Conference rates:

General Admission: $435 (In-Person or Online via Zoom). *All tickets are for the two-day full conference. There are no single day ticket options available due to the nature of the conference being carefully curated for the two-days.
- In-Person tickets include lunch on-site at venue
- *All tickets (online and in-person) include an hour long pre-screening of a documentary of Joan Roughgarden’s work before the start of the conference. View the trailer here.

Full-time and Part-time Student Rates: $130. Please contact Emma Voorhes to gain access to student tickets. A current copy of your schedule or similar verification is required. For students experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to Emma Voorhes and she will assist with a fee modification.
CE’s for this two-day conference: $30 for 11.5 CE credits in Counseling or Social Work. Purchase Continuing Education Credits in the “Add-On” section on Eventbrite, when registering for the the conference. *Please read our CE policy and add when registering for the conference. Learn more here.
Questions: ContinuingEducation@thebowencenter.org.
A 15% off per person group rate: $369.75 is available for 3 or more registrants purchasing tickets together (includes either all in-person tickets, or all online tickets)

Schedule

friday, april 26, 2024

Time	Title	Presenter(s)
9:00	Welcome and Introduction Randall T. Frost, MDiv, Director of the Bowen Center
	Conference Moderator Amie Post, MA, LCMFT
9:10	Human Sexual Variation and Bowen Theory This presentation sets the stage for the topic of sexual diversity. The broad range of sexual identities and orientations observed in the human will be identified, described, and connected to Bowen theory.	Kent Webb, LCSW, PCC and Ashley Mader, PhD
9:40	Discussion: Mr. Webb and Dr. Mader with Ms. Post (Moderator)
10:10	Introduction to Second Nature Documentary Debunking myths that females are “inferior” and being queer is “unnatural,” Second Nature follows trailblazing trans Evolutionary Biologist Dr. Joan Roughgarden as she meets other groundbreaking scientists exploring the 1500+ animal species who engage in same-sex sexual behavior and parenting, change sex, form matriarchies, and more…	Joan Roughgarden, PhD and Drew Denny, Producer
10:25	Break
10:40	Second Nature Documentary Dr. Roughgarden will share educational sequences from her forthcoming documentary film, Second Nature, exploring diversity of sex, gender and families in the animal world. All participants must agree not to record during the film segment of Dr Roughgarden's presentation under penalty of U.S. Code 18 U.S.C. § 2319B regarding unauthorized recording of motion pictures.
11:40	Discussion: Dr. Roughgarden and Ms. Denny with Ms. Post (Moderator)
12:10	Lunch on site provided by the Bowen Center
1:30	Social Selection and Sexual Selection as Alternative Sex/Gender Systems for Explaining Sexual Reproduction	Joan Roughgarden, PhD, Guest Lecturer
2:30	Discussion: Dr. Roughgarden with Ms. Post (Moderator)
3:00	Break
3:15	The Human Family as a Crucible for Sexual Diversity This presentation will address how families handle tension and differences by excluding individuals different from the family norm. Looking at the family system across generations can allow individuals with sexual diversity to gain perspective about their place in the family and make thoughtful choices about how they wish to interact and connect.	Anne McKnight EdD, LICSW
3:45	Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Creating a Family Diagram with a Sexual History Through case examples, this presentation will demonstrate how incorporating a detailed sexual history into the family diagram can be beneficial for understanding and treating sexual functioning-related issues. These examples will illustrate how family dynamics, emotional cutoffs, triangles, and patterns of fusion and differentiation impact an individual's sexual functioning.	Ashley Mader, PhD, LICSW
4:10	Discussion: Dr. McKnight, Dr. Mader, and Dr. Roughgarden with Ms. Post (Moderator)
4:35	Conference Day Ends

Saturday, april 26, 2024

Time	Title	Presenter(s)
9:00	Introduction and Housekeeping	Kent Webb, LCSW, PCC
	Moderator Amie Post, MA, LCMFT
9:05	Gender Diversity, Differentiation, and Social Emotional Process This presentation will address the diversity of gender, its etiology, and biological examples in adult humans in the United States. It will explore differentiation and social emotional process in morality among family and religious communities who have experienced a member who has expressed gender diversity.	Corey L. Meier, MDiv, PsyD
9:30	Gender Related Distress: A Systems Perspective The way a therapist thinks about a phenomenon such as gender dysphoria or transition informs how they will respond clinically. A broader understanding of gender dysphoria will be presented that considers not only variations within the individual, but also the family and relationship system, the amount of anxiety in that system, and the ways the family manages tension.	Joe Berger, LICSW
9:55	Trying to Live Your Own Life What would a family's emotional process using Bowen family systems theory look like if it included a scientific biological understanding of the gender and sexual diversity inherent in nature? This presentation explores a case study of an Australian family navigating their teenage child’s gender transition, using Bowen family systems theory.	Rochelle Oshlack, Psychotherapist
10:20	Discussion: Dr. Meier, Mr. Berger, and Ms. Oshlack with Ms. Post (Moderator)
10:45	Break
11:00	A Conversation with Dr. Roughgarden An in-depth dialog regarding Dr. Roughgarden’s extensive research over many years in the field of sexual diversity and ecology. Dr. Smith will create an arc between Bowen theory and Dr. Roughgarden’s work.	Dr. Roughgarden and Kathleen Smith, PhD
12:00	Discussion: Drs. Roughgarden and Smith with Ms. Post (Moderator)
12:30	Lunch on site provided by the Bowen Center
1:15	Caskie Research Award The Polly Caskie Memorial Research Fund was established in 2001 by the Florida Family Research Network to honor Dr. Caskie and her contributions to the development of Bowen theory and its applications. An annual award of $1,000 to support an important research effort in Bowen theory is made each year.	Presented by Randall T. Frost, Bowen Center Director
1:35	The Building Blocks of a Gay Man’s Identity: Biology, Family and Society The complex and often lengthy process of a gay man developing a gay sexual identity and sexual orientation, in addition to becoming a solid, well-defined man is identified and examined. The above process will utilize a Bowen theory and natural systems lens that includes a broad body of knowledge; scientific and observational research, biology, evolution, family systems theory, and societal emotional process.	Kent Webb, LCSW, PCC
2:05	The Steps Towards Differentiation of Self in a Same Sex Partnership Dr. Millikin will present a coaching case involving a same-sex partnership. In this presentation, he will discuss partner reciprocities, triangles, family of origin dynamics, and this client steps towards differentiation of self. He will also highlight differences between same-sex and heteronormative partnerships in the clinical process.	John Millikin, PhD, LMFT
2:30	Discussion: Mr. Webb, Dr. Millikin, and Dr. Roughgarden, with Ms. Post (Moderator)
2:55	Break
3:10	Family Tolerance and Acceptance of Sexual and Gender Diversity Today more than ever people are recognizing sexual and gender differences. Family history dictates family reactions to sexual and gender differences. Studying family emotional patterns is critical in predicting how families will react these differences.	Carrie Collier, PhD, LPC
3:35	The Coming-Out of an Adolescent Child as Non-Binary: A Father’s Odyssey Toward a Higher Level of Maturity The presentation will highlight the effort of a father to navigate the intense reactivity of his family-of-origin following the coming-out of his adolescent child as non-binary. Over several years, this will become a springboard for higher maturity in self.	Vincent Randy, BS
4:00	Discussion: Dr. Collier, Mr. Randy and Dr. Roughgarden with Ms. Post (Moderator)
4:30	Conference Adjourns

Accommodations

Conference location: The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003. Visit the bottom of the Hill Center’s About Page to view a map. An elevator is available to access the second floor conference area.

Getting there: The conference is located on Capital Hill, 2 blocks from the Eastern Market Metro stop, near restaurants and shops. Use the Metro Trip Planner or Google Maps for best time estimates and directions to the conference.

HOTELS: The hotels below are within the conference area. Other options may be located through google search and hotel and rental platforms such as hotels.com, priceline.com, and airbnb.

Walking or Uber/Lyft Hotels (not ideal for metro)

AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard (19 min walk or 5 min drive)
Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard | (21 min walk or 5 min drive)
Capitol Hill Hotel | (14min walk, 4min drive)
Placemakr Apartments | *Distance is relative to what apartments are available through their website
Residence Inn Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard | (26 min walk OR 7 min drive)

Easiest Metro Access Hotels These hotels typically run no more than 1/2 hour to the Eastern Market Metro stop.

Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf | Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall | citizenM Washington DC Capitol | Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall | Residence Inn Washington, DC National Mall

CLINICAL CONFERENCE : Thursday, April 24, 2025.
In-person in the DC area, OR online via Zoom. The day before the Spring Conference,

*Venue to be announced in the winter months.

SOLID SELF AND A GAY MAN’S IDENTITY
Kent Webb, LCSW, PCC
This presentation and the clinical cases shown will identify and illustrate the process of a gay man’s identity formation. Specifically, the process will be viewed from evolutionary, ecological, and Bowen theory perspectives. A description of how one lives life with a gay identity that automatically is impacted by the concept of differentiation and the corresponding construct of solid self—pseudo-self formation is provided.

Recommended Resources

Books and articles relevant to the conference topic will be provided here. Including work from the guest speaker and presenters.

Learning Objectives

To better understand:

How sexual diversity exists in plants and in many different animal species including the human.
The types of human sexual diversity.
The range of variables that may influence the formation of a sexually diverse identity (evolution, genetics, hormones, and the environment eg.)
How the concept of differentiation of self influences the process of how a sexually diverse identity and orientation is managed by the individual, family, and society.
How a gay man’s sexual identity and orientation develops, its associated milestones, and the influence of differentiation of self and solid self on the process.
How the expression of a sexually diverse identity and orientation is a family affair and how Bowen theory is a viable lens for observing and influencing the experience and adjustment within the relationship system.

Continuing Education Information

This two-day conference provides 11.5 hours of Category I continuing education (CE) for counseling or social work.

Purchase of Continuing Education Credits indicates that you have read the eligibility requirements and policies below:

Process & REQUIREMENTS FOR CE ELIGIBILITY:

Pay the CE fee at time of registration. Be sure to choose “Add On” when purchasing your ticket on Eventbrite. *CEs are not sold the day of the conference or after a conference.
Attend each live streamed or in-person session in its entirety. The CE coordinator will note your attendance throughout the day. *We do not offer partial credits for partial attendance.
If livestreamed, you must appear clearly on video for the entire conference, with your first and last name listed (except during designated breaks or lunch). If your video is turned off or your name unlisted, you will receive a reminder from the CE Coordinator via the Zoom chat. Failure to turn on video or name yourself will result in disqualification from CE eligibility.
Following an event, eligible CE registrants will be emailed a link to complete the evaluation. The link will be sent to the email address you entered during checkout. You have 60 days from the event date to submit the completed evaluation. Once the completed evaluation is received, you will be emailed your CE certificate shortly after. All emails will be sent from ContinuingEducation@thebowencenter.org. *Please note, it may take up to several weeks to receive a certificate. If you still have not received a certificate 1 month after completing an evaluation, please email the Continuing Education Team.

POLICIES:

The Bowen Center does not offer refunds for CEs.
We are unable to offer CE credit for viewing any recordings.
We do not offer partial CE credit for partial event attendance.
Per state governing boards, we are unable to accept evaluations after the 60 DAY period.
It is the sole responsibility of the participant to verify their state’s professional licensure criteria for CE qualifications.

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 CEs, please email ContinuingEducation@thebowencenter.org.

ACEP No. 6225