Family Counseling Approach Research Paper

Clancy Canales

School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University

Author Note

Clancy Canales

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Clancy Canales.

Email: [email protected]
 Abstract

Families tend to adapt and cope when there are challenges and changes in life that

establishes narratives and assumptions of a family. Families have basic structural interactive

patterns, features, and characteristics when responding to stressors that are encountered in life.

Existing family patterns is rooted to unresolved issues across multiple family generations. This

research paper will focus on the research of Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model along with

an expansion of leading figures, development of the theory events and historical events, basic

assumptions, key philosophy, key concepts, techniques, two similarities and two dissimilarities

of chosen theories and other leading theories, and two knowledges acquired from this

assignment.

Keywords: families, Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy, theory, concepts, features

Part I: Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model

The Bowen’s Family Systems theory is a human behavior theory focusing in the

understanding of families as emotional units and interacting complex family units. According to

Haefner (2014) Emotional symptoms in individuals expresses family emotional symptoms that

have often behavioral patterns preceding generations. There are many factors that can be

observed and have an influence in human behavior. Certain factors include ethnicity, race, sexual

orientation, socioeconomic status, level of education, physical and mental health, family belief

systems family values, and the discovery of individual behavior can be complex. Techniques of

Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model can be analyzed and assessed through history,

philosophy, development, and theoretical concepts.

Leading Figures

The National Institute of Mental Health research project developed a theory made by

Psychiatrist Dr. Murray Bowen. This theory was developed as a theory of family systems in the

late fifties and early nineties. The Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model initially focused and

specialized on individuals who have struggled and suffered with schizophrenia. Jakimowicz

(2020) states that the Bowen Family Systems Therapy model also focuses specifically on family

therapy and human interactions instead of symptomatic behavior. Dr. Murray Bowen developed

further concepts in the family system theories of family life and the general systems theory. Dr.

Murray Bowen discusses family being a unit analysis governed by rules under the “natural

systems.” Erdem and Safi (2018), discusses nonhuman animals and other species that depend on

work around the analyzed family units.

Dr. Murray Bowen focused for many years on the research of individuals who have

schizophrenia. He was able to discover the uniqueness of relationships in emotional intensity

seen between a mother and her child. After many conducted research and observation it was

analyzed that the relationship patters of families led to family theory. Haefner (2014) stated that

Dr. Murray Bowen focused on the development of the family system theory while focusing that

all families are similar to each other. Bowen approach in transgenerational perspective states that

family patterns that are still existent and family problems that are repetitive and are passed down

from generation to generation. Family relationships are demonstrated to be intense in the

individuals entire family and emotional connections that are linked to each other (Papero et al.,

2018). The Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model proposes that humans are more sensitive to

family units rather than other family members who are less important.

Basic Assumptions and Key Philosophy

Dr. Murray Bowen defines “family” as an emotional system and relationship systems that

influence family members that are also influence by each other within individuals, couples, and

marriages (Handley et al., 2018). There are two important factors that are human and in family

functioning differentiation of self and chronic anxiety. Bowen proposed the degree level of

anxiety and individual experiences under patterns of sensitiveness and stress passed down from

generation to generation. According to Son (2019) the Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model

prohibits the treatment of addicts, they are treated as the family problem. The influence of power

a family has is a vital factor in a family relationship’s psychological health.

Key Concepts
 The Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model has eight theoretical important concepts

addressed in behavioral patterns and chronic anxiety within group and family relationships.

According to Jakimowicz et al., (2020), the eight theoretical concepts of the Bowen’s Family

Systems Therapy model include the differentiation of nuclear family emotional system, family

projection process, triangles, emotional cut-off, sibling position, multigenerational transmission,

and societal regression.

The differentiation of self allows to maintain, keep thoughts, and emotions independently

to being confronted with peer pressure and societal pressure (Jakimowicz et al., 2020).

According to Viktorija (2021), this concept theoretically expounds on the fundamental aspects in

psychosocial functions. The theoretical concept allows the stability to influence less and under

stress the pressures of relationship systems (Homme & Shults, 2020).

The triangles are distinguished and compromised in three individuals, the third person’s

incentive is able to stabilize a dyadic relationship. The third person in this process helps alleviate

the tension and stress in the dyadic relationship (Jakimowicz et al., 2020). Dr. Murray Bowen’s

theory states that anxiety is relieved when the third person is brought due to one individual

ending up as the outsider. The forming of triangles causes the tension to spread and stabilize

family systems. This theory does not fully resolve the tension (Haefner, 2014).

The nuclear family emotional system has four patterns including dysfunction of a spouse,

martial conflict, child impairment, and emotional distance (Haefner, 2014). Bowen theory state

that these patterns will be mutigenerational.

Family projection process is where parents portray their emotional issues to their

children. Children are able to inherit problems and strengths from their parents. Parents tend to

focus on their children even more due to fear of something being wrong, parents are able to
interpret children’s behavior, and they also treat the children as if something would be wrong

with the children (Haefner, 2014).

Emotional cut off is the anxiety and or distress of becoming intolerable due to closeness,

individuals tend to be emotionally distant or unavailable. The emotional cut off problem focuses

on differentiation of oneself, and unresolved attachments.

The multi-generational transmission process is continued through generation to

generation. This concept’s issues are persisting in families despite change in leadership.

Differentiation between the parents and their children occur when teaching and shaping their

children’s development (Haefner, 2014).

Sibling position is the ability to be able to function in a family when being impacted by

the number of sibling or the siblings birth order. Dr. Murray Bowen expands on the point of

older children who tend to have a leadership position where the youngest child will follow their

footsteps (Haefner, 2014). In couple’s perspectives or in marriages, spouses can be influenced by

their siblings position on their marriage choices and at times they can also influence divorce

(Haefner, 2014).

Societal regression applies the Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model in social

organizations. This concept theoretically portrays stress on families (Haefner, 2014).

Techniques

The Bowen Family System is used to comprehend family processes. There are three main

components of the Bowen’s Family Systems Therapy model applied in emotional processes and

differentiation (Jakimowicz et al., 2020). Bowen’s primary concept in the family system focuses

on anxiety and the integration of oneself. Differentiation of self is a vital aspect of attainment
and helps develop a healthy family. Bowen’s theory is the handling of the acute level in anxiety.

According to Thomson et al (2019) the individual’s differentiation is very evident when an

individua is heightened or has chronic anxiety. A goal in therapy is the integration of Bowen’s

theory when family members are able to manage anxiety, this is when family members are

considered differentiated.

Similarities and Dissimilarities

The Bowen’s Family Systems theory is very similar to leading therapy where Ivan

Boszormenyi- Nagy was the developer. Contextual therapy is an advocate for loyalty, trust,

entitlements, fairness in family members, and transgenerational indebtedness (Goldenberg et al.,

2017). Ivan’s theory had an emphasis on reciprocal care and connectedness. In this therapy, to be

able to function effectively, family members are ethically accountable for any behavior displayed

with each other and they are able to balance the entitlement (Goldenberg et al., 2017).This

affects contextual therapy, future relationships, and intergenerational issues.

The second similarity of Bowen’s Family Systems theory and contextual therapy us the

understanding of family functions and individuals through patterns od intergeneration. In

Contextual therapy, patterns within families are passed down from generation to generation

(Goldenberg et al., 2017).

According to Palombi (2018), the Gestalt Therapy, is a tool that can be used for the

advancement of therapy. In the Bowen’s Family Systems theory, therapeutic work happens

without any disregards of the quantity of clients that are present in a room. Dominitz (2017)

states that therapists should rely on the experiences they have in order to help their clients be

more aware. The second dissimilarity is between Bowen’s Family Systems theory and the
Gestalt therapy is the approach to self-exploration , spontaneity, and risk taking (Goldenberg et

al., 2017). Bowen’s Family Systems theory resolves symptoms and reduces anxiety.

New Knowledge Acquired

There were several concepts and information that was gained from the completion of this

assignment. An important piece of information learned was the inference of the therapeutic

concept of triangles. The dyadic relationship specifies on the importance of a third party to

stabilize relationships. The involvement of a third person is so important to alleviate tension and

stress between two individuals. Triangles are showed to decrease or increase anxiety. The second

piece of information gained from completed this assignment is the approaches of The Bowen’s

Family Systems theory. This theory is observes and used when individuals are anxious. This

theory also focuses on the family functions during high anxiety.

Part II: Integration

My ancestors on both sides of my parents were not Christians and they wanted nothing to do

with God. It took two adults who made the decision to believe in God to shape me into the

woman I am today. I am so grateful that my parents forced me to go to church because now I

cannot live in peace if I am not at church. If I miss church for a special circumstance, I feel like I

am missing something in my life. The Bowen Family System Theory demonstrated to me the

importance of Christianity. Being a Christian as changed my life forever and my goal as a mom

is to guide my children through that same path. I owe my parents so much for bringing me to

church and I will not forget all he lessons I have learned as a Christian. My maternal

grandmother and grandfather never attended church and denied the existence of a God. My

paternal grandparents went through a nasty divorce due to an infidelity and to this date, after
more than thirty years, they still are not in speaking terms. I can tell my parents cut that every tie

to divorce and denial of God to start their own path with God. My mom dedicated me to God

when I was in her belly and she was also baptized when she was pregnant with me. I have

learned from my family that church is not about getting paid to do something to benefit the

church but rather serve God without expecting something back in return. My husband and I both

are responsible for discipleship groups at different homes throughout the week. I lead worship

and my husband plays the drums. Both of our parents raised us with the desire of not just

attending church but also serving God. One thing about Hispanic Christian churches is that the

majority of them do not have employees but rather have volunteers to keep order and to serve

God. Even though I was born in a loving Christian home, I gave my life to Christ at thirteen

years old. Since then, I have given God my signing talent to be able to praise him and to help the

church praise God for what He has done for us and for who He is. My passion is serving God by

singing. I remember asking God for my son, when I was pregnant, to have musical talent to be

able to praise him just like my husband and I do. I can see in my son that God is a God that

answers prayers. My son, at his young age, love singing to God, I see him raise his hands in a

way of worshipping God, and he has displayed a talent of wanting to play the drums just like his

father. I am not a perfect human and I know I have a lot to still work on, I want to be the best

parent and the best example for my kids when having a relationship with God. As a future

counselor, with my clients consent, I am excited and honor to have the privilege of one day

helping my clients strengthen their relationship with God.

Part III: SYMBIS Assessment Report

The SYMBIS Assessment report is an evidenced- based counseling resource tool that can help

newly married couples, couples that are currently engages, and couples who have been married
for many years. This assessment requires individuals to take an assessment that is able to

measure the personality, upbringing, background, values, beliefs, and the marriage life

perspective.

1. Marriage Mindset: Do you agree with how the assessment depicts your “Marriage

Mindset” on page 3? Why or why not?

I do agree with the assessment of my “Marriage Mindset” because of my belief in marriage. I

have been married for three years now with my husband and we are soon to welcome our second

baby. My dream has always been to have a marriage as beautiful as my parent’s. My parents are

my inspiration and I believe that divorce is never the way out of a marriage. My husband and I

had a rough first year marriage but our relationship with God has helped us in where we are at

now with our marriage.

2. Five Issues in Real Relationships: Pages 10 to 14 of your SYMBIS Report look at

five important issues in a marriage relationship:

Love

I have always believed that love is being vulnerable with each other. As a Christian, I

believe that God comes first and then my husband is second. I have always told my husband

that the more I seek God the more I will demonstrate to my husband that I love him. We did

not have our dream wedding due to my husband getting meningitis two days before our

wedding but the most important thing was that we gave put our marriage in God’s hands.

Attitude

This section demonstrated that I have the best attitude when facing a challenge. I feel like

I try my hardest during challenges and that brings great outcomes. The good part about me
 it’s that I am always a tram player and a great listener. I can see my parents traits of

compassion passed on to me.

Communication

The communication issue is the way I like to communicate with my husband. I like to

always have my husband’s devoted attention and words of affirmation are always needed.

We struggled with communication at the beginning but we have slowly understood the

importance of communication.

Gender differences

Managing conflict has been always and issue for me. I like things done quickly and

efficiently while my husband has the patience of a turtle. He likes to take his time on things

and that tends to frustrate me a lot. Conflict is an issue that needs to be improved.

Conflict – all through the lens of your specific personality. What is your greatest insight

from EACH of these five issues?

Managing conflict is not my strength. I tend to give my husband the silent treatment to

avoid extensive conflict between the two. This is another point that I need to improve in my

marriage.

3. Walking Together with God: Page 15 is dedicated to walking together with God as a

couple. Based on this information, what do you plan (identity 3 things) to do to

ensure that your current/eventual marriage is God-honoring?

Three things that I want to work on in my marriage is for us to continue praying every night

together with our kids, continue to serve God and others, and to not let our problems become
bigger than they should be. Honoring God in our marriage is something I will like to be an

example to our kids.

4. Theory and Spiritual Integration: How do you see the SYMBIS Assessment as an

effective tool considering your chose family systems theoretical approach/model

AND your spiritual/faith integration?

The SYMBIS assessment is an effective tool in the Bowen’s Family System theory. This

theory involves family units and also sibling and couples relationships. If this was just based

on family it the Bowen’s Family System theory would be most effective Faith integration in

this assessment was very effective since it was incorporated.

Conclusion

Dr. Murray Bowen developed the Bowen’s Family System theory and has shown its

effectives and benefits in assisting families. The purpose for this didactic study was the

exploration of the Bowen’s Family System theory.

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