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
Pricing
Early Bird Rates: Available until April 11
Both days: $250
Student rate: $125
Organizational rate (3 or more – cost per person): $225
Single Day (Friday or Saturday): $180
Student rate: $100
Organizational rate (3 or more – cost per person): $175
Regular Rates:
Both days: $295
Student rate: $145
Organizational rate (3 or more – cost per person): $250
Single Day (Friday or Saturday): $195
Student rate: $125
Organizational rate (3 or more – cost per person): $180
Registration
Ticketing deadline Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Via Eventbrite ticketing website – Register Now
Eventbrite is the online ticketing system for Center for Family Consultation (CFC). Click on the “Register Now” button and it will take you to Eventbrite.com, a secure online system for registering for events. Upon registration, your credit card will be processed by Eventbrite on CFC’s behalf, and you will receive a confirmation with their logo as well as CFC’s. If you have ever purchased a ticket for another event from Eventbrite, your email address and credit card information may already be in their system. You need to make sure you use the same card that is associated with your email address, and it must not be expired.Finally, make sure you add Eventbrite to your email contacts, so that email messages from CFC regarding the program you registered for will not go to your spam or junk mail folders
For additional information, please call the Center for Family Consultation at 847-868-2654 or email Robert Noone or Sydney Reed
