Bowen Family Systems Theory 101 
                                                                       
                                                Friday, September 12th, 2014 
                                                      8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m. 
                                                                       
                                                                          nd
                                                           1225 W. 22  St.  
                                                                Suite 140              
                                                        Oak Brook, IL 60523 
                                                                       
                                            Earn 5 free CEUs with full-day attendance! 
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                  Cecilia Guzman, LCPC 
                                  BFST in Context          
                                  Nuclear Family Emotional Process 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                  John Bell 
                                  Differentiation of Self 
                                  Triangles 
                                   
                  
                  
                 Bowen Family Systems Theory is a comprehensive theory of the family based on Dr. 
                 Murray Bowen’s view of the human as part of nature and the family as a natural system. Dr. 
                 Bowen developed a framework for describing the emotional process and identifying automatic 
                 patterns of behavior among family members. 
                  
                 This is the first of three introductory courses on Bowen Family Systems Theory. Bowen 101 will 
                 cover the first three of eight concepts that were developed by Dr. Bowen: Differentiation of Self, 
                 Triangles, and the Nuclear Family Emotional System. 
                  
                 With a basic understanding of these three concepts, participants may understand how the 
                 conceptualization of a clinical case through the lens of BFST can significantly improve 
                 therapeutic outcomes. 
                  
                   
                  PROGRAM 
                  8:30–9:00          Registration 
                  9:00–10:15         Introduction: BFST in Context 
                  10:15–10:30        Break         
                  10:30—11:45  Session 1: Differentiation of Self 
                  11:45–1:15         Lunch 
                  1:15—2:30          Session 2: Triangles 
                   2:30–2:45         Break 
                  2:45–4:00          Session 3: Nuclear Family Emotional Process 
                  Introduction: BFST in Context 
                           presented by Cecilia Guzman 
                       How did Bowen Family Systems Theory originate? What catalyzed the fundamental shift in thinking 
                       from one of the individual to that of systems? This introduction will provide a basic history of BFST 
                       with an emphasis on the role of chronic stress and anxiety. 
                   
                  Session 1: Differentiation of Self 
                           presented by John Bell 
                       There are two “life forces” that are at work in all relationship systems. One is the force toward 
                       individuality and the other toward togetherness. As anxiety in the relationship system increases, so 
                       does the tendency toward togetherness. The force toward togetherness moves toward a group identity 
                       where individuality is lost and individuals think, feel, and act in similar ways. Differentiation of self is 
                       the effort of an individual to have their own feelings, thoughts, and actions while staying connected in 
                       important relationships. In organizations, good leaders are those who are working at defining a self 
                       not only to their families, but also to each person in their organization. 
                   
                  Session 2: Triangles 
                           presented by John Bell 
                       Dr. Murray Bowen observed that the stability of any two-person relationship was dependent on a third 
                       person. Triangles are the basic building blocks of all human relationships. Depending on the level of 
                       anxiety and the level of basic functioning, triangles are used to bring homeostasis to the family, 
                       particularly  during  times  of  heightened  anxiety.  Organizations,  particularly  those  who  are  in  the 
                       service industry, understand the difficulties that arise when staff gets caught up in triangles between 
                       staff and between clients and staff. Learning to manage one’s own anxiety in the midst of anxious 
                       triangles is part of the effort of Differentiation of Self. 
                   
                  Session 3: Nuclear Family Emotional Process 
                           presented by Cecilia Guzman 
                      Patterns of emotional functioning in a nuclear family are a product of the undifferentiation between 
                      family members. Each pattern is intensified by anxiety and, at a sufficient level of intensity, contributes 
                      to a category of clinical dysfunction. How do symptoms/dysfunction manifest in nuclear families? This 
                      session will include short case studies that illustrate three major pathways. 
         
       Cecilia Guzman, LCPC researched molecular biology at Michael Reese Hospital after graduating from 
       DePaul University with a Bachelor’s degree in biology. In 1997, she began her graduate training in 
       clinical psychology at Benedictine University and earned a Master of Science. Cecilia has been in private 
       practice  since  2002  and  completed  the  post-graduate  training  program  at  the  Center  for  Family 
       Consultation in 2010. Since becoming a faculty member in 2012, she has presented on different Bowen 
       topics to audiences in Chicago and Pittsburgh. You can visit her website at www.foresightahora.com. 
        
       John Bell is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church where he has served for 20 years. He has 
       been teaching and applying the principles of Bowen Family System Theory for over 12 years. John has 
       received six years of Family Emotional Process training from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and 
       recently  finished  the  three-year  Bowen  Family  Systems  Theory  and  Its  Applications  postgraduate 
       program  at  the  Bowen  Center  for  the  Study  of  the  Family  at  the  Georgetown  Family  Center  in 
       Washington, DC. He is married with three children and is currently serving a church in Aurora, Illinois.
                                                  
        
        
       REGISTRATION 
       Deadline: August 29, 2014 
       $145/$90 with student ID 
       Please fill out the form below or visit: 
       www.TheCenterForFamilyConsultation.net 
        
       Name: ___________________________________________________________ 
       Telephone: ______________________________________________________ 
       Address: _________________________________________________________ 
       City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________ 
       Email: ____________________________________________________________ 
        
       To pay by check, please enclose checks payable to:  
       Center for Family Consultation 
        
       To pay by credit card, please complete this info:  _____ Visa    _____ MasterCard 
       Card #: __________________________________________________ Three digit CV Code: _________ 
       Signature: _______________________________________________________ 
       Total Amount Paid: _____________________________________________ 
        
       Please mail registration to: 
        
       Center for Family Consultation 
       820 Davis St 
       Suite 504 
       Evanston, IL 60201 
        
       For additional information, please call 
       Cecilia Guzman at (630) 873-9911