Family Emotional Process Archives - Center for Family ConsultationCenter for Family Consultation

Societal Emotional Process and Cutoff in the Family

Post Date August 14, 2024

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Alana C. Smith, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Emotional Cut-Off, Family Emotional Process, Societal Emotional Process

Seeing a person in the context of their nuclear and multigenerational family illuminates predicable patterns of thinking, feeling and relating that is the crux of Bowen Family Systems theory. Bowen Family Systems theory elucidates the immeasurable power of thinking systems in the evaluation of symptoms an individual is experiencing. Dr. Bowen began to see in the early 1970’s that thinking systems was not only applicable to the lives of families, but was also relevant in application to society as a whole.

Reflections on Societal Regression

Post Date November 9, 2023

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Author Stephanie Ferrera

Category Emotional Regression, Societal Emotional Process, Societal Regression, Stephanie Ferrera

Murray Bowen’s unique contribution to the science of human behavior was his ability to observe family interaction and to describe the underlying emotional process that governs all families to varying degrees. He went on to describe an analogous emotional process in societies and introduced the concept of emotional regression: “When a family is subjected to chronic, sustained anxiety, the family begins to lose contact with its intellectually-determined principles, to resort more and more to emotionally determined decisions to allay the anxiety of the moment. …The societal concept postulates that the same process is evolving in society.” (Bowen 1978, 386)

Integration of Research in Practice: Reflections on the CFC Fall Conference

Post Date October 7, 2023

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Author Stephanie Ferrera

Category Annual Conferences, Annual Fall Conference, Events, Family Sysytems Theory Research, Stephanie Ferrera

What does the word “research” bring to mind for you? Images of scientists in lab coats, doing things with test tubes? Creating experiments with control groups? Data mapped on charts and graphs? That dreaded required course in college? A formidable enterprise to be sure.

For those who attended the CFC Fall Conference, “Integration of Research in Practice,” the word, “research” took on a larger meaning. Four Bowen theory researchers presented their studies, each illustrating a different and creative approach.

Multi-generational Transmission Process

Post Date June 7, 2023

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Alana C. Smith, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Family Emotional Process

Dr. Murray Bowen’s research on the science of family interactions observed that humans have a non-genetic heritability as well as a genetic heritability in regards to their personhood; mentally, emotionally, and relationally. This is to say that over a human’s lifespan there is a process of evolution and adaptation transpiring, as opposed to merely a predestined and limitedly determined existence (stasis). Dr. Bowen’s research established conceptually a parallel theory to biology’s concepts of heritability (genetics) and epigenetics in his description of the multigenerational transmission process. This process encapsulates many of the core tenants of Bowen’s research and clinical observations. The multigenerational transmission process describes the reality that as humans in family systems we are reflexively (automatically and unconsciously) feeling, emulating, and responding with each other. There is an inherited nature to our personhood and ways of being that is passed down through the generations in our families. Bowen highlighted that the multigenerational transmission process involves first, the emotional system, which is felt and experienced, and then the relationship system wherein it is expressed.

A Review of John O’Donohue’s “Bless the Space Between Us”

Post Date April 4, 2023

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Book Review, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Family of Origin, John Bell

In his book, To Bless the Space Between Us, John O’Donohue sets out to write a book of blessings that follow what he calls, “the seven rhythms of the human journey: beginnings, desires, thresholds, homecoming, states of the heart, callings, and beyond endings.” In chapter 4, Homecomings, O’Donohue describes the trajectory of human development from birth to adulthood.

Michael Kerr, A Review and Presentation on Leonard Mlodinow’s book, “Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking”

Post Date June 2, 2022

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Annual Conferences, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Differentiation of Self, Ethan Strauss, Family Emotional Process, Terri C. Pilarski

Dr. Kerr’s presentation at the Midwest Symposium on May 6, 2022, on Leonard Mlodinow’s book, “Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking” focused on a key component of Bowen Systems Theory: developing the capacity for self-regulation and the impact of anxiety on one’s ability to self-regulate. Mlodinow discusses the impact of anxiety on brain function writing: “an anxious state leads to pessimistic cognitive bias – when an anxious brain processes ambiguous information it tends to choose the more pessimistic among the likely interpretations.” (Chapter 4, How Emotions Guide Thought). Kerr emphasized two aspects from Mlodinow’s book: Motivation and Determination.

The Survival and Adaptation of the African American Family Mignonette Nunn Keller, PhD Summary of Dr. Keller’s presentation at the CFC Summer Conference in 2021

Post Date October 27, 2021

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Differentiation of Self, Don Targonski

“How does a slave develop a self in an oppressive dehumanizing system forcing him into a no-self position?” a question posed by Murray Bowen, MD was addressed in the conference “The Survival and Adaptation of the African American Family”, a presentation by Mignonette Nunn Keller, PhD. at the Center for Family Consultation, July 23, 2021. Bowen’s conceptualization of chronic anxiety and “differentiation of self” traced the early years of Aaron Guice, his family experiences with two slave owners, and his relationships with his second owner’s family. Aaron Guice was sold at approximately age 14 to his second owner. He was able to exercise principled oriented decisions in delaying marriage and children, being able to accept both his black and white heritage and continuing to have positive relationships with both black and white family members. From this writer’s perspective, some positive external experiences and his being a free spirit and having some distance from the emotional system he grew in enabled him to develop sufficient “self” to withstand the stresses and losses he experienced growing up.

Reflections on a Presentation by James P. Curley, PhD: Power Differentials in Social Hierarchies, Why and How They Emerge and Their Consequences for Behavior and Health

Post Date May 15, 2021

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Annual Conferences, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Emotional Triangles, Leadership, Rosalyn Chrenka

This report on the keynote address given at the Midwest Symposium on May 7 2021 was prepared by Dr. Rosalyn Chrenka, a student of the CFC Post-graduate Training program. I took notes and have commented below on some things that struck me as interesting in relation to theory.

Anxiety, Stress and Triangles: Pressurized Human Relationship

Post Date November 18, 2020

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Chronic Anxiety, Differentiation of Self, Don Targonski, Emotional Triangles, Family Emotional Process

Dan Papero’s review of the fundamentals, such as the automatic and instinctual reactions within the emotional system, the preferential sensitivity among the family members, and the constant flow and counter flow of emotions within the system was helpful in understanding triangles. How the forces of togetherness and individuation are always in play, how anxiety increases the pressure towards togetherness and how too much closeness results in distancing. The mechanisms of distancing include conflict, overfunctioning/underfunctioning and projection. They are utilized to control the emotional flow and maintain regulation. Triangles operate to maintain equilibrium. The example of the spinning top continuing to adjust the balance of the threesome in the triangle was helpful.

Unexpected Moments of Connection

Post Date January 30, 2020

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Author Leslie Fox

Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Chronic Anxiety, Family Emotional Process, Family of Origin, Leslie Ann Fox

Recently a friend introduced me to a colleague of his from another state, and suggested that we meet. I asked why, and he said, “I just think you two will have an interesting conversation”. I trust this person, so when his colleague called, we agreed to get together for lunch when she was visiting family in our area. We did indeed have a rich conversation and that evening I wanted to write some of my thoughts to her. The rest of this blog post started as an email to her, but since my grandchildren (and some of my friends) tell me my emails are always way too long, I decided to turn it into a blog for “The Systems Thinker”.

Family-of-Origin Work: The Road to Maturity

Post Date June 24, 2019

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Author Stephanie Ferrera

Category Annual Conferences, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Differentiation of Self, Family of Origin, Stephanie Ferrera

At the Family Research Conference in 1967, Murray Bowen gave a presentation that was unusual for a professional meeting. He had been seeking a way to teach family systems theory in a way that trainees could grasp. He had also been “working intensively in a new phase of a long-term effort to differentiate my own ‘self’ from my parental extended family.”* He had reached a “dramatic breakthrough”* shortly before the conference. He decided to present his experience in his own family to his colleagues. It was a very different kind presentation than expected and sparked surprise and much interest from the audience. He described it as “a practical application of the major concepts in my theoretical and therapeutic systems (page 468).”* It was premised on the concept that the family emotional system is universal in all families, including those of family therapists. Taking responsibility for defining oneself in one’s own family translates into greater maturity in one’s life overall, and is key to one’s effectiveness as a clinician.

Do We Ever Resolve “Unresolved Emotional Attachment”?

Post Date March 14, 2019

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Differentiation of Self, Family Emotional Process, Jennifer Howe, Unresolved Emotional Attachment

Bowen Family Systems Theory often seems counter-intuitive, making it sometimes difficult to grasp, and rarely self-evident. Comprehending an emotional systems perspective of families as a way of understanding engagement between people has little to do with stated intentions, and thus provides a constant challenge. I am always so impressed by certain individuals for whom the theory’s concepts immediately make sense, and who are then able to “see” relatively clearly in their lives many of the patterns Bowen described. While the concepts are theoretically clear to me, recognizing the emotional process in my own life remains frustratingly elusive.

The Family In Society: Navigating Through Turbulent Times

Post Date February 12, 2019

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Author Stephanie Ferrera

Category Annual Conferences, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Events, Societal Emotional Process, Stephanie Ferrera

Dr. Murray Bowen originated a theory of human behavior in the 1950’s and continued to work on it until his death in 1990. Bowen Family Systems Theory is based on his view of the family as a natural system that functions as an emotional unit. Bowen described emotional process in families and how it shapes and is shaped by the responses of each family member.

An Interview with the co-editors of the book “Death and Chronic Illness in the Family”

Post Date February 5, 2019

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Author Sydney Reed

Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Death & Chronic Illness, Grief & Mourning, Peter Titelman, Sydney K. Reed

Prior to publishing the book Death and Chronic Illness in the Family: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives, Clare Ashworth, acquisitions editor at Routledge, interviewed the book’s co-editors, Sydney Reed and Peter Titelman.

Learning To Be an Adult in a World That Loves Children

Post Date August 12, 2018

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Differentiation of Self, Family Emotional Process, Jennifer Howe

People often comment, almost in awe and incredulity, that my ex-husband and I are not only cordial and supportive co-parents, but actively share family and social gatherings together. When I mention that my ex, his wife and son came for dinner last night, I can almost predict the expression of horror, quickly disguised as awe that will come over her face. People like to believe it requires some super human power to allow our frontal cortex, rather than our archaic limbic system, to make decisions that serve the best interests of our families. The decision to nourish and foster a relationship that is the bedrock of my child’s life was a “no brainer”, albeit accompanied by some very strong physical/emotional responses.

The “Techniques” of Bowen Theory and Therapy

Post Date March 29, 2018

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Author Sydney Reed

Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Sydney K. Reed

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

Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines technique as “the method or details of procedure essential to the expertness of execution in any art, science.” At CFC’s last Clinical Application of Bowen Family Theory and Therapy conference a participant, after seeing the video presentation of a Kerr/Bowen interview talking about differentiation of self, asked if there were techniques we could provide to learn how to do this. I replied that without an understanding of theory, techniques would be useless and might fail. I …

The Family Emotional System and the Functioning of Slave Owners, Slaves and their Descendants

Post Date March 17, 2018

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Annual Conferences, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Differentiation of Self, Mignonette N. Keller

Authored by Mignonette N. Keller, Ph. D.

(Abstract of paper to be presented at the 35th Midwest Symposium May 4th, 2018)

This study applies Bowen family systems theory to investigate the factors influencing the functioning of slave owners, slaves and their descendants from a systems perspective. The findings in this investigation reveal the extent to which there is a direct correlation between the quality of a person’s family relationships and how that person functions. In effect it is an attempt to answer a basic research question asked …

Early Stress and Later Disease: Research Shows One Mitigating Factor

Post Date November 10, 2017

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Author Center for Family Consultation

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 …

Reacting to a Racist Family Member

Post Date August 22, 2017

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Differentiation of Self, John Bell

Authored by John Bell, M. Div.

As I followed the news about Charlottesville, I came across a story of a family coming to grips with the revelation that their son participated in the organized rally of white nationalists. I’ve decided not to reprint their names. The story is about a father who published a letter online in response to his son’s participation in the rally. In the letter, the father repudiates the son’s beliefs and behavior. The father tells the son that he is not welcomed …

Cutoff: The challenge of the parent/child relationship

Post Date March 6, 2017

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Author Center for Family Consultation

Category Bowen Family Systems Theory, Differentiation of Self, John Bell

Authored by John Bell, M. Div.

“The more a nuclear family maintains some kind of viable emotional contact with the past generations, the more orderly and asymptomatic the life process in both generations” Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, 383.

Phillip Klever, LCSW, LMFT recently published the results of a fifteen-year research project on cutoff in the family. He studied the most extreme cases in his family of high symptomatology and low symptomatology. He found five couples on either end of the continuum of symptomatology (high …