Kathleen Cotter Cauley

In this engaging discussion, Kathleen Cotter Cauley, a licensed marriage and family therapist and faculty member of the Bowen Center, shares her insights on the pivotal role pets play in family dynamics. She explores how animals reflect family anxiety and can influence emotional bonds. Kathleen discusses the concept of reciprocity in human-animal relationships and how pets often act as mirrors of familial emotional states. The podcast delves into the effects of pet entries and exits, and even addresses the complexities of caring for sick pets within family systems.

Kathleen Cotter Cauley, a licensed marriage and family therapist and faculty member of the Bowen Center, discusses the fascinating world of triangles in family systems. She explores how inside and outside positions affect relationships and shares personal anecdotes about family dynamics, like feeling excluded at gatherings. The conversation highlights the importance of self-awareness in navigating complex relational dynamics and trusting adult children to make their own choices. Listeners will walk away with tools to manage anxiety and deepen their understanding of their own interactions.

Kathleen Cotter Cauley, a licensed marriage and family therapist and faculty member at the Bowen Center, shares her insights on navigating blended families. She emphasizes the importance of lower anxiety and self-differentiation in managing these complex dynamics. Kathleen discusses family diagrams to visualize relationships and promotes curiosity about each family member's experiences. Drawing on personal anecdotes and cultural references like 'Stepmom' and 'The Brady Bunch,' she highlights how realistic expectations and honest conversations can strengthen blended family bonds.