Bringing Systems Thinking to Life: Expanding the Horizons for Bowen Family Systems Theory

431 Pages·2010·2.49 MB·English

by  Ona Cohn Bregman

Bringing
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Routledge Titles of Related Interest
Titelman (ed.)—Clinical Applications of Bowen Family Systems Th eory
Titelman (ed.)—Emotional Cutoff : Bowen Family Systems Th eory Perspectives
Titelman (ed.)—Triangles: Bowen Family Systems Th eory Perspectives
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“Good leaders are always looking for novel ways to deepen their understand-
ing of how things work and how they might be able to achieve ever better
results in their lives and their work. Th is book provides exactly the right kind
of stimulation for anyone seeking that kind of growth. It is a thoughtful com-
pendium designed to stir the brain and heart to better understanding and
better leadership.”
—Bob Watt, Vice President of State and Local Government Relations and
Global Corporate Citizenship (retired), Th e Boeing Company
“Bowen formulated a way of thinking about ‘homo sapiens’ that he believed
was unique and potentially capable, over time, of revolutionizing the way
people think about their lives and their relationships. Although he knew it
would take a long, long time, he hoped his theory would continue to develop
until society would be ready to ‘hear’ the theory’s message. With the publica-
tion of this text, Bregman and White have emerged as new members of an
elite group of ‘keepers of the fl ame.’ Th eir eff orts at presenting various con-
texts in which Bowen theory can be fruitfully applied deserve your sustained
attention. If Bowen’s key concepts intrigue your brain, this book will stimulate
your thinking and perhaps lead to the development of other creative applica-
tions of the theory.”
—Philip J. Guerin, MD, Distinguished Lecturer and Practitioner of Family
Systems Psychiatry; Founding Director of the Center for Family Learning in
Rye Brook, New York; former faculty member at Albert Einstein College of
Medicine, Bronx, New York; Senior Author: Th e Evaluation and Treatment of
Marital Confl ict, & Working with Relationship Triangles
“Bowen’s systems theory is the dominant paradigm in the fi eld of family enter-
prise. Many of the fi eld’s leading theorists and practitioners are so e ducated—
including several authors in this powerfully comprehensive collection. Everyone
working with families will fi nd this book invaluably rich.”
—John L. Ward, PhD, Clinical Professor of Family Enterprises, Kellogg School
of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
“For those interested in learning about Bowen theory, Mr. White and
Ms. Bregmans’ book off ers both a broad range of topics and in-depth study of
its application. Th e chapters span the breadth from theoretical perspectives by
internationally known leaders to its application in education, research, supervi-
sion, clinical work, pastoral work, the workplace, and society. Bringing Systems
Th inking to Life off ers a wealth of knowledge for students, professionals, and
those interested in the many realms where Bowen theory can be applied to
understand the underlying emotional process in relationship systems.”
—Anne S. McKnight, LCSW, EdD, Faculty, Bowen Center for the Study of the
Family, Washington, DC
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“Bringing Systems Th inking to Life clearly demonstrates the saying that ‘noth-
ing is more practical than a good theory.’ Family systems theory is meant to
be lived, and this deeply thoughtful, outstanding collection of articles by rec-
ognized leaders demonstrates, as the editors say, ‘the breadth and universality
of Bowen theory.’”
—Dr. Ronald W. Richardson, former Clinical Director, North Shore
Counseling Center, North Vancouver, British Columbia; Pastoral Counselor
and Pastor (retired); Author: Couples in Confl ict, Becoming a Healthier Pastor,
Creating a Healthier Church, & Becoming Your Best
“Th is collection of edited papers by Bowen practitioners demonstrates the
remarkable depth of Bowen family system theory and its many applications to
family life, the work place, and local and national governments. Collectively,
these contributions reveal Bowen’s greatest intellectual contribution to
s cience—his belief that humans are subject to the same natural forces that
govern all life forms, and that emotional functioning governs all relationship
existing within and among families, their societies, and the planet Earth.
Included in these contributions are transcriptions of Bowen’s lectures given
in the late 1980s, years aft er papers in Family Th erapy in Clinical Practice were
written. Here, Bowen describes in his elegant and oft en direct language the
growth of his theory. Th is book is a must read for anyone interested in the
human condition.”
—Joanne Bowen, PhD, Curator, Zooarcheology Collections, Conservation,
and Museums, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Research Professor,
Anthropology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
“Systems thinking ... surpasses being an interesting way to analyze organiza-
tions—it is necessary for healthy survival in many workplaces and families....
Bringing Systems Th inking to Life ably introduces systems theory to newcom-
ers, as well as charts its present standing among organizational theorists and
therapists, and anticipates the increasing role it will enjoy as leaders continue
to discover how their role is strengthened by self-defi nition, clarity, and a
nonanxious presence.”
—Howard Stringfellow III, Archdeacon, Th e Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania
“A remarkable work! Th e authors of Bringing Systems Th inking to Life provide
fresh observations on family emotional process and the importance of family
systems theory to understanding human functioning.”
—Charles W. Collier, Senior Philanthropic Adviser, Harvard University,
Cambridge, Massachusetts; Author: Wealth in Families
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Bringing
New York London
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bringing systems thinking to life : expanding the horizons for bowen family
systems theory / edited by Ona Cohn Bregman, Charles M. White.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-415-80046-4 (hardback : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-0-415-80047-1
(pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Systemic therapy (Family therapy) I. Bregman, Ona Cohn. II. White,
Charles M. III. Title.
RC388.5.B747 2010
616.89’156--dc22 2010013399
ISBN 0-203-84234-0 Master e-book ISBN
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
http://www.taylorandfrancis.com
and the Routledge Web site at
http://www.routledgementalhealth.com
To the memory and life legacies of
Roberta Baxter “Bobbie” Holt, DSW
March 14, 1941—March 15, 2009
Faculty, Bowen Center for the Study of
the Family, Washington, DC
and
Tamara Jeanne “Tammi” Hawk, MSW
August 5, 1952—July 18, 2010
Director, Th e Prairie Center for Family
Studies, Manhattan, Kansas
Two colleagues who understood that the best “bringing
systems thinking to life” eff orts always began and ended with
themselves as they worked to actualize a way of thinking
into a way of being in relation to their own families.
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Contents
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xxiii
Editors xxix
Contributors xxxi
Section I Th eoretical Considerations in Learning Systems
Th inking and Bowen Th eory 1
1 Observing Emotional Functioning in Human Relationship
Systems: Lessons From Murray Bowen’s Writings 3
PATRICIA A. COMELLA
2 Various Th eoretical Points People Miss: A Training Session
by Dr. Murray Bowen at the Minnesota Institute of Family
Dynamics 31
Edited by G. MARY BOURNE
3 An Obstacle to “Hearing” Bowen Th eory 61
MICHAEL E. KERR
4 Responsibility for Self 67
DANIEL V. PAPERO
5 Live Learning: Diff erentiation of Self as the Basis for
Learning 75
VICTORIA A. HARRISON
6 A Systems View of the Training Program at the Bowen
Center: Guiding Principles (1990–2003) 89
PRISCILLA J. FRIESEN and CHERYL B. LESTER
7 Managing Self in Emotional Fields When Presenting
Bowen Th eory 103
ONA COHN BREGMAN
ix
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