Bowen Family Systems Theory

What is Family Systems Theory?

Family Systems Theory was created by Dr. Murray Bowen, who founded  the Georgetown Family Center in 1967.  Dr. Bowen found that in order to understand an individual one must 1) study the individual within the context of the family system (immediate family as well as extended family) and 2) study the variable degrees of anxiety that greatly affect the condition of that family.  He observed that a  highly anxious family unit behaves predictably different from a less anxious one.  Meaning, if you watch a family under increased anxiety you will observe a variety of behavioral patterns and interactions  amongst the family members and as soon as that same level of anxiety is repeated the patterns of behavior and interaction will also repeat themselves .  Bowen added that if one member of the family was able to manage his/her own anxiety level, this change in the one family member would lead to compensatory changes in other parts of the family and vice versa, when the family system could change, the behavior and functioning of family members changed as well.

What is explored in a session?

The therapist helps the patient examine patterns and interactions in his/her own family.  With this information, we explore the patients' individual behavioral patterns and how they are played out under various levels of pressure and tension in other relationship systems (i.e. at work, with friends, in a group).  How the patient reacts and responds under various levels of pressure of stress and tension is more clearly understood.  Once the awareness becomes clear, the patient is better equipped to begin his/her journey towards what Bowen calls differentiation of self or defining a self.  

This defining of a self means having the ability to navigate oneself through the emotional intensities and challenges of life while remaining calm and mindful of the situation.  It is the ability to decrease one's own level of anxiety to the point that one begins to think more clearly and respond with clearly thought out facts as opposed to reacting with tension ridden emotions (such as criticism, blaming, or feeling the need to be right).  This is a state when the individual is responsible for self and neither fosters nor participates in the irresponsibility of others.