Bowen Theory, Context, and Triangles

Welcome to Elevator Systems! Today’s episode discusses divorce from a Bowen family systems theory perspective. Dr. Carrie Collier is back thinking alongside hosts Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White.

Dr. Carrie Collier is a researcher, lecturer and family therapist specializing in Bowen family systems theory. She earned her PhD in Counsellor Education and has over 25 years of study and practice as a Licensed Professional Counsellor. She is on the faculty of The Bowen Center where she serves on the Board of Directors and was Director for two years. She published and validated a Family Unit Functioning Questionnaire used by therapists and researchers to gather information about families. Her most recent research on the language of nature in Murray Bowen's archival papers can be found in The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The usefulness of knowing family history and family patterns of functioning in marriage and divorce and how divorce can intensify patterns.

• Understanding one's role in the family and how divorce can be an opportunity for personal growth and redefining relationships within the family system.
• How the intensity of emotional fusion in a marriage can mirror the intensity of separation during divorce.
• The resource of a coach or therapist for individuals to think through their functioning in the family.
• Family leaders who maintain open communication, clear thinking and connections with both parties in a divorce can positively influence the broader family system.
  

This episode is recommended for people and professionals who are navigating divorce.

Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2.

Recommended Resources:

• The Murray Bowen Archives Project 
• Dr. Murray Bowen: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice
• Monica McGoldrick & Betty Carter: The Family Life Cycle
• Roberta Gilbert: Extraordinary Relationships
• Edward Beal: “Child-Focused Divorce” in Clinical Applications of Bowen Family Systems Theory (Ed. Peter Titelman)
• Family Matters: Divorce and Adult Children
• Dr. Carrie Collier: The Language of Nature in Murray Bowen’s Writings

New podcast episodes released every Tuesday this season—stay tuned as we explore relationships across the lifespan! 

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Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.ca

Living Systems Hybrid Conference: October 17–18, 2025

Conference theme: Aging—Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?

Learn more: https://livingsystems.ca/education/conferences/fall-2025-conference-on-aging/

Key Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #Therapy #SystemsThinking #Family #Marriage #Remarriage #Divorce #BlendedFamily #Stepfamily #Partner #Conflict #Mediation #Separation #FamilyChallenges #Challenges #Complexity #TherapyPodcast #Anxiety #Intensity #Patterns #MentalHealth #Relationships #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #MurrayBowenArchives #TMBAP #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProject

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk