Episode 288: An Interview with Dr. Kathleen Smith (Part 1 of 4)
Jul 22, 2024
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Dr. Kathleen Smith, therapist and author, discusses her journey into Bowen Theory and the value of family of origin work. She explores automatic responses influenced by family dynamics and stresses the importance of curiosity and self-management in family conversations.
Dr. Kathleen Smith emphasizes the importance of doing personal family of origin work for self-discovery and growth.
Recognizing and interrupting automatic patterns rooted in family dynamics can lead to healthier relationships and personal development.
Deep dives
Discovery of Bowen Theory and Family of Origin Work
Dr. Kathleen Smith shares how she delved into Bowen theory during her time as a grad student, exploring family systems and relationships. She recounts her journey of internship at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and the requirement to engage in family of origin work, which involved creating a family diagram and deep introspection. Through this process, she discovered patterns in her own family dynamics and embraced the theory's perspective on human behavior.
Automatic Reactions and Over-Involvement
Reflecting on her automatic responses, Dr. Kathleen identifies her tendencies rooted in being an only child and a lineage of women deeply involved in helping others. She acknowledges a pattern of taking on excessive responsibilities, which can lead to burnout or distancing. By recognizing these patterns, she highlights the importance of interrupting such automatic reactions to foster personal growth and enhance relationships.
Versatility and Interrupting Automatic Behaviors
Dr. Kathleen emphasizes the significance of interrupting autopilot behaviors by fostering flexibility and adaptability in interactions. Drawing from Bowen theory, she discusses the concept of versatility within systems thinking and differentiation of self. By intentionally interrupting automatic responses and embracing versatility, individuals can enhance problem-solving skills, promote creative solutions, and build healthier relationships.
Dr. Kathleen Smith is a therapist, author and faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. In this episode, she shares how she got into Bowen Theory, as well as suggestions for how people can do their own family of origin work.