43rd Annual Midwest Symposium:
Bowen Family Systems Theory and Therapy
Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 2, 2026
Chicago, Illinois
This is a hybrid (in-person or online) event.
Register Now Via Eventbrite
Established in 1984 with Dr. Murray Bowen as the sole presenter, the symposium has evolved to feature Dan Papero, PhD, 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 biology, and primatology.
Acclaimed scientist and author Sarah Blaffer Hrdy PhD. will be our guest scientist for the conference. Her book, Father Time: A Natural History of Men and Babies is “A sweeping account of male nurturing, explaining how and why men are biologically transformed when they care for babies.” Saturday we will show a feature length documentary based on the book followed by a Q&A session/discussion.
The symposium also features presentations by Bowen theorists and clinicians, covering research, clinical applications, and interdisciplinary integration.
Keynote Presenters
Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, PhD
CFC is excited to announce the Midwest Symposium for May 1 and 2, 2026. Dr. Sarah Hrdy, an anthropologist and primatologist, professor emeritus at U C Davis, has accepted our invitation to be our guest scientist. She will focus on the research she has presented on the natural history of males and babies in her new book, Father Time: A Natural History of Men and Babies. This book has been highly acclaimed in scientific circles, winning many awards. The meeting in May will also feature a film, Father Time: Why Men are Born to Nurture, directed by Jacqueline Farmer (preview below), that has been developed based on her book. Hrdy’s research has revealed a universal brain-based caregiving instinct in fathers as well as mothers. There will be new potential evolving roles for fathers in child-rearing, which were not readily imagined, accepted, or promoted at the turn of the 21st Century.
Dr. Hrdy will be present and available for interaction with questions about her current research, evolution, and connections to Bowen Family Systems.
Friday: “Why Nurturing Comes Naturally to Men”
Saturday: Father Time: Why Men are Born to Nurture, directed by Jacqueline Farmer
Daniel Papero, PhD
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).
Conference Schedule
Friday
8:30 A.M. Registration and continental breakfast
9:00 A.M. Welcome Robert Noone, PhD
9:10 A.M. Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, PhD “Why Nurturing Comes Naturally to Men”
10:00 A.M. Break
10:15 A.M. Daniel Papero, PhD “The Human Family: What is it? How Does it Operate? Who Cares?”
11:15 A.M. Panel Discussion Drs. Hrdy, Papero and Noone
11:45 P.M. Lunch
1:15 P.M. Anne McKnight, EdD “The Family as an Evolutionary Unit and an Emotional System”
1:35 P.M. Stephanie Ferrera, LCSW “Cooperative Breeding and the Multigenerational Family Emotional System.”
1:55 P.M. Eileen B. Gottlieb, M.Ed, LMFT “Projection in Nature: An Exploration Prelude to Antisemitism”
2:15 P.M. Panel Discussion
2:45 P.M. Break
3:00 P.M. Victoria Harrison, MA, Toni Ziegler, PhD “ Physiological Reactivity and the Family Triangles.”
3:40 P.M. Randy Frost, MDiv “What Constitutes a Baseline of Family Functioning?”
4:00 P.M. Panel Discussion
4:30 P.M. Adjourn
Saturday
8:30 A.M. Registration and continental breakfast
9:00 A.M. Film: Father Time: Why Men are Born to Nurture, directed by Jacqueline Farmer
10:00 A.M. Discussion with Drs. Hrdy and Papero
10:30 A.M. Break
10:45 A.M. Daniel Papero, PhD “The Human Family: What is it? How Does it Operate? Who Cares?”
11:45 A.M. Panel Discussion
12:15 P.M. Lunch
1:45 P.M. Bob Noone, PhD “The Family/Brain Relationship in Evolution and Development.”
2:05 P.M. Katherine White, LMFT, RMFT-S, RCC-ACS “Putting the Family Back in Family Therapy.”
2:25 P.M. John Bell, MDiv “Father Time and the Family System: A Multigenerational Study of Male Functional Positions and Differentiation.”
2:45 P.M. Panel Discussion
3:00 P.M. Break
3:15 P.M. Amie Post, MA, LCMFT “Designing Learning Environments with Bowen Theory in Mind.”
3:35 P.M. Cecilia Guzman, LCPC “Reversing Immunosenescence: A System Perspective.”
3:55 P.M. Panel Discussion
4:30 P.M. Adjourn
Date, Time & Location
Friday, May 1st, 2026
8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M Central Time
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Central Time
In Person:
Loyola University – 25 E. Pearson St, Chicago, IL 60611 (directions)
Online Via:
Zoom teleconferencing software (link provided to registrants)
CEU’s
5.5 CEUs will be awarded per full day attendance on Friday and 5.5 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.
Fees
Two Day Registration (Limited Time Early-Bird*)
Regular admission: $260
Student rate: $135
One Day Registration (Limited Time Early-Bird*)
Regular admission: $190
Student rate: $100
Two Day Registration
Regular admission: $295
Student rate: $190
Organization rate (3+ attendees): $250
One Day Registration
Regular admission: $190
Student rate: $145
Organization rate: $175
*Early-Bird pricing valid through April 1, 2026
