42nd Annual Midwest Symposium:
Bowen Family Systems Theory and Therapy
Friday May 2 – Saturday May 3, 2025
Evanston, Illinois
This is a hybrid (in-person or online) event.
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Established in 1984 with Murray Bowen as the sole presenter, the symposium has evolved to feature Dan Papero as the primary speaker and, since 1990, a guest scientist each year. The event ensures Bowen family systems theory remains grounded in the natural sciences by inviting experts from fields such as neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and primatology.
The guest scientist for this year’s symposium is Dr. Patrick McGowan, Professor of Cell and Systems Biology, Psychology and Physiology at the University of Toronto. His area of research has been the epigenetic mechanisms of neurodevelopment and behavior, particularly on the impact of adversity during early development. Dr. McGowan’s specific focus is on the role of parental factors early in life in altering the function of genes involved in the response to stress.
The symposium also features short papers by Bowen theorists and clinicians, covering research, clinical applications, and interdisciplinary integration.
Keynote Presenters:
Daniel V. Papero, PhD, LCSW
Dr. Papero lectures both nationally and internationally on Bowen theory and is on the faculty of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, D.C. He is the author of the book Bowen Family Systems Theory and co-editor of the book, The Family Emotional System: An Integrative Concept for Theory, Science, and Practice (2015). His publications also include numerous book chapters and journal articles. He maintains clinical and consultation practices in Washington. Among his many interests is the development of a systems model for family assessment (Family Systems, 2018).
Bowen’s research led him to propose that the family functioned as a unit, system or organism. This perspective allowed him to investigate how the unit operated or responded to various challenges that required an adaptive response. Beyond characteristics, Bowen gradually described the processes of response that shape adaptive behavior.
This talk will focus on the functioning of the family system as the unit faces change and challenge. The objective will be to describe the processes within the family system as they operate in response to conditions encountered both within the family system and external to it. The talk will be divided into two parts.
Patrick O. McGowan, PhD
In recent decades a revolution has occurred in our understanding of how experience in the current and previous generations can affect the expression or silencing of genes influencing the development of emotional and physical health throughout the life span. The field of epigenetics has shed light on how the family emotional system can have such a profound influence on the health and behavior of its members. One of the exciting discoveries is that the impact of the epigenetic influence on genes related to early life stressful experiences and intergenerational transmission are potentially reversible.
Dr. McGowan’s presentations will examine how early-life experiences, particularly stress and variation in maternal care, shape the development of stress reactivity and socio-emotional behavior through neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms. On Friday, he will focus on how maternal stress alters caregiving behaviors and affects offspring brain development, including changes in microglial activation and oxytocin signaling in regions tied to emotion regulation. His research shows that early caregiving environments can lead to long-lasting changes in gene expression via stable epigenetic modifications, highlighting how early relational experiences become biologically embedded and transmitted across generations. On Saturday, Dr. McGowan will explore natural variation in maternal care among siblings, showing how offspring behaviors both shape and are shaped by caregiving, with implications for stress sensitivity, social behavior, and gene expression. These effects, influenced by genetic background and mediated by processes like DNA methylation, underscore the complex interplay between environment and biology in shaping individual development across the lifespan.
Conference Schedule
Friday, May 2nd
9 A.M. Keynote Presenter – Daniel V. Papero, PhD
10 A.M. Panel Discussion
10:30 A.M. Break
10:50 A.M. Laurie Lassiter, PhD
“Bowen Theory and the Social Determinants of Health in Schizophrenia”
11:10 A.M. John Bell, MDiv
“Managing Nonprofit Work Through the Lens of Bowen Theory”
11:30 A.M. Panel Discussion
Noon Lunch
1:15 P.M. Keynote Presenter – Patrick O. McGowan, PhD
2:15 P.M. Panel Discussion
2:45 P.M. Break
3 P.M. Robert J. Noone, PhD
“Systems Biology and the Family Emotional System”
3:30 P.M. Panel Discussion
4:00 P.M. Adjourn
Saturday, May 3rd
9:30 A.M. Keynote Presenter – Patrick O. McGowan, PhD
10:30 A.M. Panel Discussion
11 A.M. Break
11:15 A.M. Keynote Presenter – Daniel V. Papero, PhD
12:15 P.M. Panel Discussion
12:45 P.M. Lunch
2 P.M. Stephanie Ferrera, MSW
“Turning Points in the Evolving Relationship Between Humans and the Planet”
2:20 P.M. Frederick Travis, PhD and Erik Thompson, MA
“Differentiation and Transcendance: Exploring the Connection”
2:50 P.M. Panel Discussion
3:20 P.M. Adjourn
Date, Time & Location
Friday, May 2nd, 2025
9 A.M. – 4:30 P.M Central Time
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
9:30 A.M. – 3:20 P.M. Central Time
In Person:
First United Methodist Church – 1450 Chicago Ave.- Evanston, IL (directions)
Online Via:
Zoom teleconferencing software (link provided to registrants)
CEU’s
6 CEUs will be awarded per full day attendance on Friday and 5 CEUs on Saturday (11 CEUs for both days) to Social Workers, Professional Counselors/Clinical Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Clergy, Health Care Professionals.
