41st Annual Midwest Symposium:
Bowen Family Systems Theory and Therapy                     

Friday May 3 – Saturday May 4, 2024 Evanston, Illinois

This is a hybrid (In-person or online) event

The 41st Midwest Symposium is focused on exploring the complexities of the family emotional system and the interplay among individuals, relationships, and society. The family and its functioning in the larger social environment will be discussed in terms of its influence on well-being and stress-related illnesses. This year’s symposium promises a rich array of presentations and discussions led by the keynote speakers Dr. Daniel Papero, guest scientist Dr. Gregory Miller, and Bowen family systems theory professionals. The symposium offers a unique opportunity for professionals and attendees alike to deepen their understanding of family emotional processes and enhance their clinical skills in working with clinical families and their own families of origin.

Keynote Speakers:

Daniel V. Papero, Ph.D.

Dr. Papero is on the faculty of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, DC. He is the author of Bowen Family Systems Theory and co-editor of the book The Family Emotional System. He has been a frequent presenter both nationally and internationally on Bowen theory and family psychotherapy. Among his many interests is the development of a systems model for family assessment (Family Systems, 2018).

Among his recent publications are:

• “Murray Bowen’s contribution to the study of complex human systems.” (2021) link
• “Developing a systems model for Family assessment.” (2018) link
• “Trauma and the family: A systems-oriented approach. (2018) link

Gregory E. Miller, Ph.D.

Gregory Miller is a Louis W. Menk Professor, Institute for Policy Research and Department of Psychology at Northwestern University.

“My research focuses on how stress affects health. In recent years I’ve become especially interested in stressors that occur during early life, and how they might get biologically embedded in people in a manner that reverberates across the lifespan. To study issues like this, my lab brings together theories and methods from across the behavioral and biomedical sciences. Over the long term, our goal is to establish a behaviorally and biologically plausible understanding of stress-health connections.”

Among Dr. Miller’s many publications are:

• Miller, G.E., Yu, T., Chen, E., & Brody, G.H. Self-control forecasts better psychosocial outcomes but faster epigenetic aging in low-SES youth. (in press) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
• Nusslock, R., & Miller, G.E.  Early-life adversity and physical and emotional health across the lifespan: A neuro-immune network hypothesis. (in press) Biological Psychiatry.
• Murphy, M.L.M., Slavich, G.M., Chen, E., & Miller, G.E.  Targeted rejection predicts decreased anti-inflammatory gene expression and increased symptom severity in youth with asthma. (2015) Psychological Science, 26, 111-121.
• Miller, G.E., Brody, G.H., Yu, T., & Chen, E.  A family oriented psychosocial intervention reduces inflammation in low-SES African-American youth. (2014) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111, 11287-11292.
• Chen, E., & Miller, G.E. Socioeconomic status and health:  Mediating and moderating factors. (2013) Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 9, 723-749.

Program Schedule

Friday, May 3rd

9:00 Welcome and introduction Robert J. Noone, Ph.D.

9:15 Stress and the Family Emotional System: Part 1, History of Research on Homeostasis. Daniel V. Papero, Ph.D.

10:15 Break

10:30 The Health Consequences of Poverty in Childhood – Part 1, Underlying Mechanisms. Gregory E. Miller, Ph.D.

11:30 Panel discussion – Daniel V. Papero, Gregory E. Miller

12:00 Lunch

1:30 The Family Emotional System: Part 2, The Family System Stress Response, an Allostatic State that Affects the Behavior of Each Member and the Collective. Daniel V. Papero, Ph.D.

2:30 The Health Consequences of Poverty in Childhood – Part 2, Protective Factors and Potential Interventions. Gregory E. Miller, Ph.D.

3:30 Break

3:45 Panel discussion – Daniel V. Papero, Gregory E. Miller

4:30 Adjournment

Saturday, May 4th

9:00 Welcome Sydney Reed, LCSW

9:05 Functional Strength and the Scale of Differentiation of Self. Daniel V. Papero, Ph.D.

10:00 Two Hierarchies: Differentiation of Self and Socioeconomic Status. Laurie Lassiter, Ph.D.

10:30 Break

10:45 Place-Based Family Challenges (Flint, Michigan example) Barbara Laymon, Ph.D

11:15 Panel Discussion – Sydney Reed, Daniel V. Papero, Laurie Lassiter, Barbara Laymon

12:00 Lunch

1:30 Cognition, Family, and Evolution. Robert J. Noone, Ph.D.

2:00 Beyond Individual Narratives: Understanding Homelessness Through Family Interactions. John Bell, M.Div.

2:30 Can Ancient Scripture Illuminate Differentiation? Erik Thompson, MA

3:00 Panel – Daniel V. Papero, Robert J. Noone, John Bell, Erik Thompson

3:30 Adjournment

Date, Time & Location

Friday, May 3rd, 2024

9:00am-4:30pm Central Time

Saturday, May 4th, 2024

9:00am-3:30pm Central Time

Both days – online via:

Zoom teleconferencing software (link provided to registrants)

In Person:

Lake Street Church – 1450 Chicago Ave.- Evanston, IL (directions)

CEU’s

6 CEUs will be awarded per full day attendance on Friday and 5 CEU’s on Saturday (total of 11 for both days) to Social Workers, Professional Counselors/Clinical Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Clergy, Health Care Professionals