Bowen Family Therapy
These are the 8 Bowen Concepts
What is:
Emotional Oneness
Sibling Position
Projection of Anxiety
Triangulation
Emotional Cutoff
Differentiation of Self
Multigenerational Transmission
Societal Regression
This is an imaginary or symbolic line demarcating who is included in the family of subsystem and who is
not, and who fits within a particular system or
subsystem
What is a Boundary?
The first thing a Structural family therapist needs to do is THIS technique to make alliances with every family member by being empathetic and respectful to ensure family trusts you as a therapist.
What is joining?
These are anxiety triggering events, crossroads or
intersection of onset of symptoms
What are Nodal Events
According to Briar-Lawson, et all, families share 4 of these common elements:
What is
Shared history
Emotional bonding
Mutual support
Identity
THIS Bowenian concept is defined as the ability to regulate emotional reactivity, to think clearly under stress and to achieve an autonomous self within one's family relationships while staying connected. THIS concept also represents the cornerstone of Bowen's Family Systems theory.
What is differentiation of self?
THIS type of diagram helps provide client insight of possible emotional processes that have operated over generations.
What is a Genogram?
THIS technique allows one to express their thoughts and emotions as if they were talking to a specific person, even though that person is not present. They direct their words and gestures at an empty chair and imagine that person sitting in it while they talk.
What is the empty chair technique?
These are situational and historical stressors across the life-cycle.
What are Horizontal Stressors?
This is the newly added concept within Competency 3 of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (Council on Social Work Education, 2015) and according to to Philip and Resich 92015, the fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin,
or income with respect to the development, implementation, and
enforcement of environmental law, regulations, and policies.
What is Environmental Justice?
This is a three-person relationship system. It is considered the building block or “molecule” of larger emotional systems because it is the smallest stable relationship system.
What is a triangle?
THIS is another name for groups formed within the family system. Possibly formed based on age, interests or gender.
What are subsystems?
THIS is the leading theorist in Structural Family Therapy.
What is Salvador Minuchin?
These are family patterns,
and generational issues that impact individuals across the life-cycle.
What are Vertical Stressors?
These are specific examples of potential threats to families from the physical environment.
What is:
Health & Life-Expectancy
Poverty
Environmental Degradation
Economic and Technological Indices of Need and Displaced Priorities
Family Stress, Safety & Security
Government Capacity and Willingness to Invest in Families
THIS term represents a flight from an unresolved emotional attachment to one's family.
What is emotional cutoff?
THIS type of boundary issue lead family members to be affectionate to the point of being too close with each other and they struggle to form a sense of independence
What is diffuse or enmeshment?
"Are there times when the problem does not happen or is less serious? When? How does this happen?" is an example of THIS.
What is the Exception Question?
These are common Emotional Patterns in Marriages:
What is:
Distance
Conflict
Reciprocal Functioning
Disruptive Triangle (an affair or in-law)
THESE are FIE's guiding principles
What is
1. family as a pivotal institution
2. individuals define families
3. using a strengths perspective
4. work with and on behalf of families
THESE are the goals of Bowen Family Therapy.
What is to reduce anxiety by increasing differentiation of self?
This is a visual tool used by social workers, therapists, and other professionals to represent an individual's or family's connections to their external social environment.
What is an Ecomap?
THIS question asks a client to imagine how things would be if they woke up tomorrow and their problems were solved; used to help clients identify goals and solutions.
What is the Miracle Question?
These are Stages in the Family Life Cycle
Marriage (Marital Dyad)
Addition of Children
Departure of Children (Subtraction)
Retirement & Return to Dyad
Aging & Death
This is the entries and exits,
expansion, launching and
death within familes
What is Phases of the Family Life Cycle