Bowen Therapy Quotes

I consider rugged individualism to be an exaggerated pretend posture of a person struggling against emotional fusion. The differentiated person is always aware of others and the relationship system around him.

Instead of talking about their feelings, EI people express themselves nonverbally through emotional contagion (Hatfield, Rapson, and Le 2009), coming across your boundaries and getting you as upset as they are. In family systems theory, this absence of healthy boundaries is called emotional fusion (Bowen 1985), while in structural family therapy it is called enmeshment (Minuchin 1974). This is the process by which EI family members get absorbed into each other’s emotions and psychological issues.

Interlocking pathology in family relationships. In S. Rado and G. Daniels (Eds.), Changing concepts of psychoanalytic medicine (pp. 135–150). New York: Grune and Stratton. Ackerman, N. W. (1958). The psychodynamics of family life. New York: Basic Books. Bateson, G., Jackson, D. D., Haley, J. & Weakland, J. (1956). Toward a theory of schizophrenia. Behavioral Science, 1, 251–164. Bowen, M. (1972). Toward the differentiation of self in one’s family of origin. In Georgetown Family Symposia: A collection of selected papers (Vol.1, 1971–1972). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Family Center. Bowen, M. (1976). Family theory in the practice of psychotherapy. In P. Guerin (Ed.), Family therapy: Theory and practice (pp. 335–348). New York: Gardner Press. Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy

Upon reflection, I came up with my theoretical statement which lands in the assimilative integrative theoretical orientation camp: Fundamentally, I believe that a person’s family environment, birth order, and early childhood experiences (all within their cultural context) significantly influence personality development, shaping how they interact with others and the world. Sometimes, these influences can lead to patterns of thought that are flawed, perhaps due to adverse circumstances or family dysfunction. These patterns can impact brain development and a general approach to life. My role is to guide my clients in understanding the link between their experiences, these patterns, and in identifying a new orientation that enables them to utilize coping skills and uncover internal resources that have always been present. I greatly respect my clients and their autonomy, acknowledging that they may not always comprehend the subconscious forces at play. It is vital to bring these subconscious elements into awareness. It is essential to help clients recognize the significance of their past coping mechanisms and the potential for growth through increased awareness. I also emphasize the interconnectedness of their work in therapy with me and its impact on their other relationships, encouraging awareness of these dynamics. In this statement, you can hear the influence of Alfred Adler, Murray Bowen, Carl Rogers, Victor Frankl, and the influence of neuro-informed counseling.