Bowen Theory And Differentiation Of Self As The Basis For Change
In this talk, presenter Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT, introduces the program for the day. She goes on to describe concepts from Bowen theory and explains some of the ways Bowen theory is different from other approaches.
Bowen theory applies to behavior, psychology and human biology. Keep concepts include, anxiety, Differentiation of Self, and emotional fusion. To illustrate how Bowen theory can be applied on a societal level, she describes how her hometown of Houston, TX, was impacted by Hurricane Harvey, saying, “Houston was an example of totally unorganized local effective action…it was a true system in action.”
Key Quotes:
“Bowen theory and Neuroptimal® (neurofeedback) would recognize that each brain is going to respond and react to events and experience based on its own particular multigenerational history and the family its part of.”
“The therapist’s theoretical assumptions would guide the understanding of symptoms and the approach to change.”
“No one comes to Bowen theory as a Tabula Rasa.”
“Anxiety levels and Differentiation of Self are the two main variables in symptom development and factors for change.”
“Anybody can do it if more motivated to do for self than depending on another.”
Emotional Reactivity, Anxiety And Differentiation Of Self With Tools And Exercises For Observing & Managing Reactivity/anxiety
In this talk, presenter Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT, begins by introducing the clinical video “which will demonstrate use of neurofeedback equipment to monitor and modify physiological reactivity.” (Due to client confidentiality, the clinical video is not shown.)
After the presentation and audience questions, Victoria Harrison explains the importance of “moving beyond the family relationships which may be very familiar but uncomfortable relationships, to making contact with aunts, uncles, cousins that they are not in contact with.”
Key Quotes:
“Making one to one contact, making visits by yourself, for yourself, with as many different family members as possible, is the arena in which someone develops the ability to be more observant, more responsible for themselves.”
“Life is full of negative reactivity. Where are you going to get practice at it?”
“Emotional fusion is human. It’s the ability to be a separate self that is also human. But we vary greatly in that.”
Emotional Reactivity, Anxiety And Differentiation Of Self With Tools And Exercises For Observing & Managing Reactivity/anxiety
In this talk, presenter Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT, defines and describes the concepts that are central to thinking about the variation in human functioning and differentiation of self.
Victoria Harrison explains in detail the concept of emotional reactivity. She describes different contributions scientists have made to the understanding of anxiety and reactivity as well as Murray Bowen’s observation of the five mechanisms that any relationship system employs to manage the reactivity stirred between the demands of the relationships and the demands of being an individual.
Key Quotes:
“Reactivity includes all of the responses of life to relationships and to the natural environment.”
“Reactivity allocate resources to survival, to adaptation, and to reproduction.”
“The human is a family animal.”
“If the relationship system is anxious and we register that as our own we go into fight, flight, befriend or freeze, be quiet, play dead.”
“The first line of response to anxiety in the human is social. We check faces.”
“We are reacting to or for or with each other all the time in a way that stabilizes the system. With anxiety however, that anxiety will be at the expense of someone.”
“When the non-symptomatic family member begins to observe and manage her reactivity-or his-the symptoms in the symptomatic person will also improve.”
“Bowen’s separate is in the midst of connected.”
“People can learn to observe and monitor their levels of reactivity.”
Steps Toward Differentiation Of Self: What People Do In Therapy Based In Bowen Theory
In this talk, Presenter Victoria Harrison describes some of what people actually do in their work on Differentiation of Self. She also discusses some of the major misconceptions about Bowen theory and what it means to work on differentiation in one’s own family.
Key Quotes:
“Taking a position than responsible for herself instead of focused on taking care of her mother or her father or her husband-that step is going to stir reactions from within her and within the system. And those reactions are not applause.”
“Stay steady and stay in contact.”
“It isn’t the differentiation that creates the distance.”
“Anyone begins a differentiating effort in the face of great anxiety.”
“Small steps are the best steps.”
“The goal is to make a research project out of life.” - Bowen, Murray, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, p. 179
Ms. Harrison began study with Murray Bowen and the faculty at Georgetown Family Center in 1976 where she also used biofeedback instruments to look at physiological reactions to relationships and stress. After moving back to Texas in 1991, Ms. Harrison established the Center for the Study of Natural Systems and the Family in Houston. (www.csnsf.org) She has commuted to DC since 1992 to serve as faculty for The Bowen Center where she directed the Postgraduate Training Program and launched the Online Introduction to Bowen Theory and Practice.