Everything you should know about Bowenian Family Therapy

Murray Bowen, M.D. a pioneer psychiatrist who worked for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) developed the Bowenian family therapy. Bowen believed that there are two fundamental forces, togetherness and individuality, in families. When these forces are out of balance, it can lead to dysfunction in relationships. Families with too much togetherness may struggle with individuality, while those emphasizing too much individuality might experience distance from each other.

The therapy aims to maintain a healthy balance between the forces. Bowen also identified patterns where problematic behaviours are passed down generations, creating similar family conflicts. While designed by keeping families in mind, it also helps to treat individuals and couples. Family therapy also seeks to understand how family history can shape family dynamics. By exploring the dynamics, the therapists can resolve conflicts and challenges within the family.

History and Core Concepts of Bowenian Family Therapy

Born into a large family, Bowen developed a keen interest in how family relationships influenced one’s mental health and well-being. His research at NIMH mainly focused on adults with schizophrenia. It was revealed that the disorder often stemmed from unhealthy childhood attachment styles with their mothers. This led him to explore intergenerational relationships and inherited trauma across at least three generations. His findings stated that unresolved trauma can be inherited across generations if not addressed effectively. Bowen identified eight core concepts through his NIMH work, which formed the basis of Bowenian family therapy. They include,

1. Triangle: A triangle is formed when a relationship between two people (spouses) involves a third member (child). Often these relationships form a rigid emotional triangle. During challenging times, the emotional triangle should collaborate and provide mutual support and healthy balance.
2. Differentiation of self and differentiating emotions: This involves making personal choices while still staying emotionally connected with family. When there’s an imbalance, it can create a lot of issues. Therefore, it’s essential to acknowledge and address everyone’s emotions, recognizing that each family member experiences feelings differently. This consideration can help foster healthier relationships and balance.
3. Family projection process: Parents often project their own struggles and hardships onto their children, which can lead to the child internalizing these challenges. As a result, the child may develop similar issues.
4. Nuclear family emotional system: Issues like marital conflict, dysfunction of a spouse, impairment of a child, and emotional distance can significantly affect a family’s overall well-being and healthy functioning.
5. Multigenerational transmission process: Bowen likely believed that emotional traumas are transmitted across generations. If the individuals do not work on their inherited emotional wounds, they are most likely to pass it on to their children.
6. Emotional cutoff: When an individual in a family unit cuts off from the members without addressing the present issues, it might become unhealthy for both the individual and the family members as a whole.
7. Sibling positions: Based on their birth order, individuals often assume specific roles within the family. These roles can shape their behaviour as they grow, influencing their parenting styles and interpersonal relationships.
8. Societal emotional process: Societal incidents can impact a family unit and the issues it faces.

Types of Bowenian Family Therapy

• Family therapy: It focuses on the entire family unit, providing a framework to address intergenerational trauma. It helps in collective healing, teaching them to identify and practice healthy self-differentiation when conflicts arise.
• Couples therapy: This therapy excels in marital relationships. It encourages couples to talk out issues openly without involving their children. It fosters improved communication between partners, helping to resolve conflicts constructively.
• Individual therapy: While it’s not a typical Bowenian style approach, however, it provides individual attention and helps people become more independent. It also encourages them to understand their unique role within the family.

Techniques used

Bowenian family therapy focuses on providing tailor-made treatment for individuals. Some techniques used in the therapy may include,

• I statements: These “I statements” help in better communication between the family members. Instead of saying “You never help in any household chores”, it helps one to rephrase as “I feel overwhelmed with the chores and would appreciate more help from you”. This approach avoids putting blame on the other person and makes one speak about their thoughts and feelings, leading to better comprehension of oneself.
• Genograms: Genograms use unique symbols to help therapists explain family patterns to their clients.
• Differentiating emotions: It helps individuals recognize that they are responsible for managing their own emotions rather than relying on someone else in the family.
• Defusing triangles: Therapists create triangles to explore and address those relationships, working to reduce tension.
• Demonstrating intergenerational patterns: With the help of genograms, the therapists can identify the intergenerational trauma that has been passed down.
• Normalizing challenges: The therapy will make individuals understand that facing challenges is normal and is expected because of their family history.

Effectiveness of the therapy

The self-differentiation technique used in the therapy helps to alleviate anxiety symptoms. In couples therapy, it can improve feelings of happiness and empathy between partners through improved communication skills and increased understanding. Additionally, it can aid in family reunification and work with family members to promote healthy family functioning leading to greater overall happiness, since ultimately, we return to our families.

Conclusion

Bowenian family therapy, developed by Murray Bowen, helps individuals, couples, and families function better together. Since family is important in our lives, this therapy focuses on understanding a person’s whole family background. By exploring their full history, we can gain deeper insights into their experiences and needs, ultimately helping them navigate their relationships and live harmoniously within their family. It also provides insight that challenges are a normal part of life. Since challenges are normal, there’s no need to worry, and one doesn’t have to face them alone. Professional help is always available.

FAQs

1. Who developed Bowenian family therapy?

Murray Bowen, M.D. a pioneer psychiatrist who worked for the National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH) developed the Bowenian family therapy.

2. Who can benefit from the therapy?

Individuals, couples, and families can benefit from this therapy, especially those dealing with intergenerational issues and inherited traumas.

3. What are the techniques used in Bowenian therapy?

Techniques include creating genograms, using “I statements”, and exploring the emotional patterns within the families.

4. Can Bowenian therapy help with anxiety?

Yes, the self-differentiation technique used in the Bowenian family therapy helps to alleviate anxiety symptoms by promoting better emotional management.