Bowen Theory, Science, and Research

Post Date July 29, 2024
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Category Annual Fall Conference, Bowen Theory Research, Climate Change, Family Sysytems Theory Research, Robert J. Noone

Murray Bowen’s interest in a science of human behavior didn’t begin with the intention of developing a new theory. His initial effort was to contribute to the then existing paradigm in the field of mental health becoming more scientific. His research and exploration of the sciences across disciplines led to the recognition that psychoanalysis and the various personality theories derived from it lacked the capacity to move toward science.

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Reflections on the 4th International Conference on Bowen Theory

Post Date March 20, 2024
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Category 4th International Conference on Bowen Family Sysytems Theory, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Bowen Theory Research, Events, Family Sysytems Theory Research, John Bell

Bowen theory has certainly come a long way even since the first international conference held in 2015 in Pittsburg, PA at the Western Pennsylvania Family Center.  One of its founding members and long-term executive directors, Jim Smith was a pioneer in making theory available worldwide and in organizing this first ever international conference.  Since then, international conferences have been held in Hong Kong (2018), Sweden (2022) and most recently, Miami, Florida. 

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A Proposed Alternative Pathway to a Bowen Theory of the Spiritual

Post Date September 8, 2019
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Category Bowen Theory Research, Differentiation of Self, Erik Thompson

In preparing for the Vermont Center for Family Studies’ upcoming conference on Meditation and Family Health (also available via streaming) I skipped ahead in my journey through Dr. Michael E. Kerr’s recent book, Bowen Theory’s Secrets: Revealing the Hidden Life of Families, to his chapter on the potential 9th concept of Bowen theory, “Toward a Systems Concept of Supernatural Phenomena”.  I’ll begin with a summary of that chapter before proposing an alternative pathway to a Bowen theory of the supernatural.

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From Family to Society: The Broad Scope of Bowen Systems Thinking

Post Date August 2, 2018
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Category Bowen Theory Research, Emotional Triangles, Regina M. Ferrera, Societal Emotional Process, Societal Regression

“From Family to Society: The Broad Scope of Bowen Systems Thinking” was the subject of the Center for Family Consultation Summer Conference held in Oak Park on July 20, 2018. Dr. Katharine Gratwick Baker, a scholar of Bowen Family Systems Theory and historian, was the presenter. Dr. Baker has a PhD in Social Work and an MA in Russian History.

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Early Stress and Later Disease: Research Shows One Mitigating Factor

Post Date November 10, 2017
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Category Bowen Theory Research, Kelly Matthews-Pluta

Authored by Kelly Matthews-Pluta, MSW

Gregory Miller, PhD, gave one of the many interesting presentations from the 54th Symposium on Bowen Theory and Psychotherapy in Washington, DC, on November 4-5, 2017.  Dr. Miller, a professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, discussed his research on Adverse Childhood Events/Experiences (ACES) and physical health in adulthood.  He described experiences in childhood being “sticky” in a biological sense and often showing up later in poor physical health outcomes.  The ACES he outlined were the usual suspects: abuse and/or neglect …

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Highlights from The 53rd Symposium on Family Theory and Family Psychotherapy

Post Date November 10, 2016
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Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Bowen Theory Research, Family Therapy, Kelly Matthews-Pluta, Robert J. Noone

Authored by Kelly Mathews-Pluta, M.S.W., and Robert Noone, PhD.

The Symposium on Family Theory and Family Psychotherapy offered by the Bowen Center for the Study of Family in Washington, DC was held November 4th and 5th, 2016. This Annual Symposium brings together the liveliest minds in the Bowen network to present, question, and discuss the latest research and ideas about Bowen theory. As always, the Symposium also features a Distinguished Guest Lecturer from another discipline whose research is relevant to Bowen theory. Bowen theory is not …

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“Toward a Systems Theory of Cancer”, Summary of a presentation by Michael E. Kerr, M.D.

Post Date May 31, 2014
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Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Bowen Theory Research, Stephanie Ferrera, Systems Theory of Cancer

Authored by Stephanie Ferrera

At the Annual Midwest Symposium on Bowen Theory, May 2 -3, 2014, Dr. Kerr presented on his longstanding interest in the relationship between health, illness, and the family emotional system, and has done extensive research with cancer patients and their families.  In this presentation, he gave an overview of the systems thinking that researchers are bringing to the study of cancer, and showed how this fits with the systems thinking in Bowen theory.

Dr. Kerr began his presentation with the idea of an …

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Dr. Raison’s Invitation to Bowen Theory Researchers for Collaboration

Post Date May 13, 2014
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Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Bowen Theory Research, Family Therapy, Sydney K. Reed

Authored by Sydney K. Reed, M.S.W.

In the previous blog post, Leslie Fox highlighted interesting points from Dr. Raison’s talk.    He warned us that he might be entertaining, an adaptation useful in a career of teaching undergraduates.  In deed, he had us laughing frequently.  It made me think about the notions of the origins of laughter.  Some think that laughter evolved as a signal mechanism to tell the group that they were out of danger and could relax and connect socially, thus building community.

Dr.. Raison’s talk …

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