Elevator Systems - Bowen Family Systems Theory

Monica McGoldrick, Director of the Multicultural Family Institute and a leading voice in family therapy, shares her insights into the family life cycle. She discusses how individual lives intersect with family histories, using genograms as powerful tools to reveal relationship dynamics. Monica emphasizes the importance of considering both ancestors and future descendants in therapy, illuminating how our actions echo through generations. She also explores changing life phases, the challenges of poverty and caregiving, and her memories of the esteemed Murray Bowen.

Priscilla Friesen, a seasoned family consultant and Bowen theory expert, shares her insights on navigating death through a family systems lens. She discusses how the dynamics of grief shift family roles and highlight the importance of open relationships in managing loss. Her perspective on emotional flexibility during grief encourages families to focus on practical solutions rather than solely on feelings. Additionally, Priscilla elaborates on how generational patterns of anxiety and loss can ripple through family systems, influencing behaviors and relationships.

Selden Dunbar Illick, a longtime scholar of Bowen family systems theory and founder of the Princeton Family Center for Education, shares her insights on aging. She discusses how emotional connections influence aging and the balance of support within families. Illick explores concepts like emotional cutoff and differentiation, illustrating them through personal and cultural examples. She emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and engaging in open conversations about end-of-life preferences, advocating for intergenerational connection to improve family dynamics.

Lisa Moss, a licensed clinical social worker and faculty at the Center for Family Consultation, dives into family rifts through the lens of Bowen family systems theory. She discusses the concept of 'cutoff', explaining how it can relieve tension but may have lasting effects on relationships. The conversation explores the emotional cost of maintaining distance and the impact of unchecked family dynamics. Lisa also highlights the importance of self-differentiation and managing one’s emotional energy within family contexts, offering TV show examples that illustrate these concepts.

Kathleen Kerr, a clinical nurse specialist and Bowen Theory expert, delves into the complexities of retirement as a systems event rather than just an individual transition. She shares insights on the impact of family history and societal trends on retirement expectations. The discussion also touches on common assumptions between spouses, the importance of differentiation of self, and leadership succession in families and organizations, illustrated through examples from the TV show 'Succession'. Kathleen encourages thoughtful planning to navigate these significant changes.

Join Amie Post, a marriage and family therapist and executive director at the Center for Family Systems Theory, as she shares her insights on grandparenting from a Bowen family systems perspective. Amie discusses the importance of recognizing multi-generational patterns in family relationships. She highlights how to approach grandparenting intentionally, utilizing exercises like the 'beliefs paper' to address automatic expectations. With examples from films like Minari and Moana, she reflects on the guiding role grandparents can play while maintaining healthy boundaries.

Join John Bell, an ordained United Methodist pastor with 30 years of experience applying Bowen family systems theory, as he delves into the complexities of the empty nest stage. He discusses how relationships evolve as children gain independence and how transitions like divorce or retirement can reshape family dynamics. John emphasizes open communication, explores the 'family cellular plan' for promoting adult children's independence, and offers insights on redefining spousal connections and managing assumptions in this new phase of life.

Join Erik Thompson, a licensed leadership psychologist and founder of Thompson Leadership Development, as he dives deep into the art of launching adult children. He discusses how to prepare for this pivotal stage, balancing connection with independence. Erik highlights the pitfalls of over-helping and the complexities of family dynamics during launches. Cultural variations in parenting postures are explored, shedding light on how personal family histories influence these transitions. Packed with anecdotes and insights, this conversation is a treasure for parents and professionals alike.

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.

Dr. Carrie Collier, a seasoned researcher and therapist specializing in Bowen Family Systems Theory, joins hosts Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White to explore the complexities of divorce. They discuss the importance of understanding family history and patterns during marital changes. Dr. Collier highlights how emotional fusion in a marriage can reflect separation intensity and emphasizes personal growth opportunities that arise during divorce. The conversation includes practical advice on utilizing coaches and maintaining communication to support family dynamics.