Laura R. Brooks has had a family therapy practice in Ellicott City, MD, since 1993. Previously, she worked as a family therapist for various non-profit organizations for many years. Since she was appointed to the faculty of the Bowen Center in 2008, her responsibilities have included supervising and teaching in the Postgraduate Program and the Introduction to Murray Bowen’s Theory of Human Functioning, coordinating the Internship Program and Research Committee, serving on the editorial board of Family Systems journal as well as the board of directors. She has presented at local and national conferences in addition to various programs at the Bowen Center. Her interests include adoptive families, family projection process, within-family variability, emotional cutoff, and research from a family systems perspective.

Ms. Brooks graduated from the University of Iowa in 1980. Her postgraduate training started at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS, for two years and continued at the Bowen Center, 1986-1991. Between 1990 and 1996, Ms. Brooks was an associate clinical professor at the schools of social work at the University of Maryland and The Catholic University. In this role, she supervised social work students in internships at the Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Contact Information: lbrookslcswc@comcast.net

Carrie E. Collier was director of the Bowen Center from 2020 until 2022. She completed her master’s in rehabilitation counseling from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, in 1999. There she became a licensed professional counselor while working in the emergency department conducting psychiatric evaluations and assessments. Dr. Collier earned her PhD in counseling from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She completed her clinical residency at the Bowen Center Clinic and trained in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center from 2007-2010. She was appointed to the associate faculty in 2013 and the board in 2018. She served as director of the online program beginning in 2016. She also has served as an editor for the journal Family Systems, 2018-present, and Chair of the Research Committee since 2023.

Dr. Collier has practiced as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2000. She has provided outpatient and inpatient counseling services to couples and families, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in South Carolina, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. She has offered face-to-face and telephonic couples counseling and premarital and marital counseling services. Dr. Collier’s past experiences in the mental health field have led her to use Bowen family systems theory in her practices with individuals, couples, and families. Some of her more successful counseling outcomes have occurred when the couple, individual, and/or the family approached and resolved problems using Bowen family systems theory.

Dr. Collier’s research focus includes parenting in family systems and family system responses to challenges. She has conducted research on the relation between wisdom and ethics of care in late life and parenting. Dr. Collier is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Counseling and Human Development at The George Washington University, Washington, DC. She has taught at Trinity Washington University in the Department of Counseling and Human Development and at Marymount University in the Counseling and Forensic Psychology Department.

Contact Information: ccollier@thebowencenter.org

Kathleen Cotter Cauley is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Florida, Virginia, and the District of Columbia and has a private practice in Falls Church, VA. She joined the Bowen Center faculty in 2012 and chairs the Social Media and Outreach Committees there.

Ms. Cauley worked with Catholic Charities in Pittsburgh, PA, 1972-1985, as an adoption caseworker, therapist, and deputy director of a branch office. She received her master’s degree in counselor education at the University of Pittsburgh in 1977. In 1980, while at Catholic Charities, she sought out a supervisor who had trained at the Bowen Center. She attended the training program at the Western Pennsylvania Family Center in the 1980s.

Ms. Cauley had a private practice in Tampa, FL, where she lived, 1985-2001. She continues to work in this practice in a remote capacity. She was involved in founding the Florida Family Research Network with other Bowen colleagues. Ms. Cauley was on the faculty of the Extraordinary Leadership Seminars, 2003-2016. She continues to coach in the Systems Leadership Seminar with people who attended three years in the Extraordinary Leadership Seminars.

She has been a member of the review board dealing with the sex abuse scandals of the Catholic Church for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, FL, since 2002. Ms. Cauley was also a member of the Maryland Province Jesuit review board, 2006-2015. She has volunteered for Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. since 1990.

Contact Information: kcauley@thebowencenter.org

Kenton T. Derstine is associate professor of supervised ministry and director of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program of Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS), Harrisonburg, VA. He is ordained for ministry by the Virginia Conference of Mennonite Church USA. He earned his MDiv from the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and his DMin from Wesley Theological Seminary.

He has served in pastoral education as an ACPE Certified Clinical Supervisor/Educator for over 25 years. Completing his training as a clinical educator at Indiana University Health System, he assumed a position as CPE supervisor and program manager at St. Vincent Hospitals in Indianapolis, IN. He began his duties at EMS as director of CPE and field education in 2000. He also served on the faculty of the Extraordinary Leadership Seminars conducted by Roberta Gilbert, MD.

Dr. Derstine completed two years of the Bowen Center’s Postgraduate Program and served as an intern during the 2014–2015 academic year. His long-term interests have included the application of Bowen theory to the process of ministry formation and practice. He has conducted units of CPE at all levels including Supervisory CPE—the training and certifying process for ACPE supervisors. He is intrigued by the correlations that seem apparent between Bowen theory and the theological anthropology implicit in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Contact Information: kderstine@thebowencenter.org

Priscilla Friesen was introduced to the ideas of Murray Bowen in graduate school in social work at the University of Kansas. She moved from Kansas to Washington, DC, in 1978 to pursue her interest.

She was the clinical and administrative assistant to Dr. Lillian Rosenbaum, who developed the Biofeedback Program at the Georgetown Family Center, while Ms. Friesen participated in the Postgraduate Program. Her early exposure to biofeedback significantly influenced her understanding of Bowen theory and of the physiology of relationships.

She was appointed to the faculty in 1987. She directed the Postgraduate Program in Bowen Family Systems Theory and its Applications, 1990-2003. In 1994, she expanded her clinical work to include neurofeedback. This led her into the study of evolution and the development of the brain, as well as how the brain, mind, and relationships operate in synchrony.

In 2005, she co-founded The Learning Space, a conceptual place where individuals have an opportunity to experience and challenge themselves in relationships through the integration of Bowen theory and neurofeedback.

In 2012, Ms. Friesen and Kathleen Wiseman created a program designed for experienced family enterprise professionals, advisors, and responsible family members. This program integrates Bowen theory and neurofeedback to challenge people to be more of a self in their family and work settings.

Ms. Friesen is also active on the board of The Murray Bowen Archives Project, the organization responsible for making the Bowen Archives available to the world.

Contact Information: pfriesen@thebowencenter.org

The Rev. Ed Henley began his study of Bowen family systems theory in 1987. He studied in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center from 2014-2017. Ed joined the Bowen Center faculty in 2017 and chairs the annual Faith Leadership Conference, works in the Faith Leadership Seminar, is Program Head for the Introduction to Bowen Theory course, and is a presenter and coach in other Bowen Center programs.

His clergy experience includes interim service in sixteen congregations, as well as a long-term pastorate (1997-2013). He is a graduate of The General Theological Seminary, New York City (1978), and New College, Sarasota, FL (1972). He is Priest-in-Charge of a congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida and is called upon to speak at clergy gatherings around the country.

Ed’s understanding is that Bowen theory focuses on our own growth (which is the hardest work of all). It can give us a way to understand how religious organizations function and how clergy can live and lead in these emotional systems.

Contact information: ehenley@thebowencenter.org

Barbara Laymon is a faculty member and a clinical associate at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. Her educational background includes a PhD from Loyola University, Baltimore, and an MPH from the University of South Carolina. Licensed as a professional counselor in MD and DC, she enjoys reflecting with her clients about family emotional processes.

Barbara is also a writer. Her recent book, All the Families of the Earth, Therapists in Bible Times, looks at family emotional processes through the stories of scripture . Recently retired from a career in public health, she continues to be interested in how context shapes health and how communities can work together to address the context for family health.

More about her publications and current research interests are available at https://wwwresearchgate.net/profile/Barbara_Laymon 

Contact information: blaymon@thebowencenter.org

Mariana Martinez earned her doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis on child and family from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. She has been affiliated with the Bowen Center since 2008 and was appointed to the faculty in 2012. She directed the Clinic, 2011 to 2017, and hosted the TV show Family Matters, 2010-2018. She currently participates in various clinical and academic activities including leading the Iberoamerican Institute at the Bowen Center.

She was an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) at Shady Grove, and has taught in the Department of Psychology at Alliant International University, Mexico City. Dr. Martinez was trained as a Montessori teacher in Perugia, Italy, and worked in preschool education in and outside the classroom for eight years.

Dr. Martinez applies Bowen theory in work with families who are making decisions around their wealth and their legacy. She is vice president at Wells Fargo Privet Bank, Family Dynamics Services.

Contact information: mmartinez@thebowencenter.org

Dr. Anne S. McKnight was appointed director of the Bowen Center in May 2010 and stepped down in July 2020. She is currently a director emeritus, continues to serve on the Center board, and is active in presenting, supervising, and organizing conferences. As director, she had special interest in supporting the development of Bowen theory around the world, including an international conference in Hong Kong and developing the Iberoamerican Institute at the Bowen Center. During her tenure, she recruited twelve new faculty and expanded training programming, while putting the Bowen Center on a solid financial footing.

Dr. McKnight has been a member of the Bowen Center faculty since 1992. Her activities have included directing, teaching, and supervising in the Postgraduate Programs, leading the internship program, organizing and presenting at conferences sponsored by the Bowen Center and at meetings nationally and internationally. As a family therapist for 40 years, she developed a special interest in families with addiction from working, teaching, and supervising students in a child and family substance abuse program in Virginia. She has written chapters in many books on Bowen theory and articles for the journal Family Systems.

Dr. McKnight is in private practice in Arlington, VA, and at the Bowen Center.

Contact Information: amcknight@thebowencenter.org

Dr. Millikin participated in the Bowen Center's Postgraduate Program from 2015-2019 and became a faculty member in 2019.  He is the head of research in the Bowen Center Clinic, leading an IRB-approved project of tracking family emotional process and progress towards differentiation of self for both the consultant and coach. He also is co-director of the Continuing Studies online program which offers international learning of Bowen theory.  His interests include the application of Bowen theory to clinical practice, teaching Bowen theory in various settings, and staying current with research in the sciences. 

Dr. Millikin earned a doctorate in human development/family therapy at Virginia Tech in 2000. He has maintained a private practice in Reston, VA, since 2001 and works with individuals, couples, and families from a systems approach. From 2002 to 2020, he taught a variety of courses as an adjunct faculty member in the Virginia Tech master’s program in family therapy.

Contact information: jmillikin@thebowencenter.org

Jake Morrill helps leaders cultivate conviction, connection, and calm—transforming stress into strength in their workplaces, families, and communities.

A seasoned executive coach, minister, nonprofit leader, and U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain (Captain), Jake has guided organizations through complex change, earning recognition for meritorious leadership and his impact on racial reconciliation. He holds degrees from Harvard Divinity School and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, has presented widely, and authored five books.

Jake lives in East Tennessee with his wife, Molly, and their two soccer-loving teens. His website is www.gentogenleadership.com

Contact information: jmorrill@thebowencenter.org

Douglas C. Murphy has been a faculty member of the Georgetown Family Center/Bowen Center since 1992. He received his graduate degree from Antioch College in human communication theory. He trained in the Postgraduate Program at the Georgetown University Family Center, 1977-1981, and was a clinical intern at the Family Center, 1982-1984.

Since 1984, he has served as a family therapist in the Bowen Center Clinic. He became the Clinic director in 2009. In June 2015, he became director of the Postgraduate Program. Mr. Murphy is on the editorial board of Family Systems and serves as the book review editor.

His primary clinical interest is in family conflict and violence, and he has presented nationally on this topic.

Contact Information: dmurphy@thebowencenter.org

Robert Noone began his formal study of Bowen theory when he entered the Postgraduate Program at the Family Center in 1975, when it was affiliated with the Georgetown University Medical Center. He has continued his involvement at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family since then as a participant, presenter, and organizer of conferences and seminars. He has served as an editorial consultant to Family Systems since its beginning and is currently its editor.

He is on the faculty at the Center for Family Consultation in Evanston, IL, which provides programs on Bowen theory and which he co-founded in 1979. He served as the executive director at the Family Service Center of Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook, and Kenilworth for twenty-eight years and was on staff and later director of an alcohol and drug abuse program at a mental health center serving Chicago’s western suburbs. He continues his private practice in Evanston, IL.

Dr. Noone succeeded Michael E. Kerr, MD, who established Family Systems and served as its editor for twenty years. Dr. Kerr fulfilled Dr. Bowen’s original idea of publishing a journal to advance the understanding of human behavior based on family systems theory.

Contact Information: rnoone@thebowencenter.org

After graduate training in social work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Dr. Papero entered postgraduate training in family systems theory and psychotherapy at the Georgetown University Family Center. In 1982, Dr. Bowen invited him to join the faculty of the Family Center, now the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. Over the years he has served in many administrative and teaching roles at the Center. He currently organizes a research seminar and coordinates the Theory Meeting, a bi-weekly working group dedicated to the exploration and expansion of family systems theory.

He has written numerous articles and book chapters on various aspects of family systems theory and family psychotherapy. In 1990, he published a basic introduction to family systems, Bowen Family Systems Theory. He and Robert Noone, PhD, co-edited the volume The Family Emotional System: An Integrative Concept for Theory, Science and Practice in 2015.  He has served on the editorial board of the journal Family Systems since its founding. He currently gives many invited presentations yearly to various professional groups across the country and around the world on topics related to family systems theory, family psychotherapy, and the functioning of corporations and organizations.

In recent years he has consulted increasingly with organizations in both the private and public sectors about the impact of relationships on functioning and the emotional process of organizations.

Contact information: dvpapero@thebowencenter.org

Amie Post has studied Bowen theory since 2001, when she was a master’s student in marriage and family therapy at Seton Hill University. She deepened her study in the Postgraduate Program, 2012-2016, and served as a clinical intern at the Bowen Center, 2015-16. Amie is currently a member of the Center’s board of directors and active faculty.

Ms. Post has served since 2015 as the executive director of the Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County Inc, a Baltimore based non-profit whose mission is to assist families experiencing the impacts of domestic violence. During her tenure, she has worked to understand the history of the organization and the functioning of the domestic violence system in the region over time and to promote thoughtful program development that more readily addresses domestic violence through a family systems lens. In this role, she leads locally and regionally in collective impact efforts and is a regular contributor to policy development. 

Her research interests include the emerging concept of holobiont (the notion of a superorganism that reflects the totality of the human and its microbial partners); reciprocal functioning in relationship violence; and evaluating and developing effective programs and systems of care.

An oldest daughter with younger brothers and a sister, Ms. Post is married to an oldest brother of a younger sister. She has three young adult children. In her free time, she enjoys a good board game, a great book, and long walks in the woods. 

Contact Information: apost@thebowencenter.org

Kathleen Smith 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, 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.

Contact information: ksmith@thebowencenter.org

Kent Webb works in both the organizational and mental health worlds with practices in each field. He is an executive coach and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has obtained broad experience and education as both a chief executive officer and a mental health coach. 

He is a Professional Certified Coach endorsed by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), of which he is a member. He has earned a Multidimensional Leadership Certificate from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management’s Executive Education program, and is a certified Korn Ferry Leadership Architect and 360 coach. For 12 years, he was CEO and principal of Psychotherapy Provider Network, PC, a statewide network of behavioral health care providers. There he was clinical director and manager of contracts with national health insurance companies.

After receiving a master of social work and an undergraduate degree in music therapy from the University of Kansas, Mr. Webb trained in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center. He became a faculty member of the Bowen Center in the summer of 2020.

Kent is the Vice President and board member of The Murray Bowen Archives Project, and also served on the Denver Mayor’s LGBTQ Commission. Additionally, his background includes training, facilitating seminars, and speaking. He has been a trainer for the US Department of Justice, the Human Rights Campaign, and The Denver Center for Trauma and Resilience. He has given presentations at the National Bar Association, The National Managed Healthcare Congress, The National Employee Assistance Association, the Bowen Center, and the Colorado State Mental Health Conference.

Mr. Webb’s experience as a trainer and facilitator also includes various aspects of organizational development and management. He has conducted such trainings at QWest Communications, Coors Brewing Company, and the Department of Behavioral Health for the District of Columbia.

His publications include a chapter in Chronic Death and Illness in the Family and a chapter in The Emotional Side of Organizations: Applications of Bowen Theory.

Contact information: kwebb@thebowencenter.org

Kathleen Wiseman is a business advisor whose work is based on Bowen family systems theory. Her 30-year professional experience is focused on being a strategic thought partner to family enterprises, family foundations, family offices, and families of wealth.  Her prior experience includes consulting to government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and multi-site manufacturing facilities. She works with lawyers, wealth advisors, trust officers and financial professionals as they plan for the next generation’s role in decision-making with regard to their family assets.

Along the way, she has gained an appreciation for the challenges individuals and families encounter in their working relationships with family and a respect for people’s ability to adapt creatively. Her perspective is one of a “business anthropologist.”

Ms. Wiseman received an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from The George Washington University. She was appointed to the faculty of the Bowen Center in 1994.

She is founder and president of Working Systems Inc, a consulting firm located in Washington, DC, and co-founder of Navigating Systems, a rigorous educational forum dedicated to bringing family systems thinking to professionals who serve families.  She is a past president of the Family Firm Institute and leads their Research and Education Foundation.

Contact information: kwiseman@thebowencenter.org