Volume 6 Number 2—Winter 2022
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The "New Normal"?
How Adaptive are Modern Humans?
Leslie Ann Fox
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Most people I talk with agree that the old normal, our pre-pandemic way of life, is gone forever. But where is the new normal? What does it look like? Playing an endless game of dodge ball with a virus that is exceptionally nimble and clever at reinventing itself to avoid annihilation by modern vaccines was not what I imagined we still would be focusing on the third year into the first deadly pandemic in a century. Silly me to think that we could do better than people in the Middle Ages who endured the bubonic plague, known as the Black Death.
Starting in the early 1340s, the plagues spread by rats to sailors on ships moving along the trade routes from the Near and Far East to Europe. Historians estimate that it reduced the total world population from 475 million to between 350 and 375 million. In most parts of Europe, it took nearly 80 years for population sizes to recover, and in some areas more than 150 years. From 1347 to 1350 alone, over 20 million people died in Europe, about a third of the population. The Black Death mainly ran its course by the 1350s, but continued to recur periodically every few generations for a few hundred years. It never disappeared completely. According to the World Health Organization about 1000 to 3000 cases are still reported annually.
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While humankind has survived a variety of pandemics over time, we still have a lot more to learn about adapting to them, or any typed of catastrophic change that decimates part of, or whole societies, forcing a sudden and drastic change in people’s lives. As the renowned organizational consultant and author William Bridges, Ph.D. observed and described, the psychological process of transition commonly experienced by individuals encompasses three phases. First, we mourn the loss of the familiar, then experience a period of confusion as the emergence of a new normal seems ill-defined, until finally the fog begins to lift, and a clearer vision emerges of how our lives will be different; not necessarily better or worse, just different. It is a lot to accept.
At present, people are still concerned with the many unanswered questions about the coronavirus. The infectious disease experts have been learning daily as the data comes in, and the rest of us are doing our best to adapt to the changing advice needed to survive and ultimately thrive. From a Bowen theory perspective, emotional reactivity around the transition experience has, as we would expect, varied in intensity across the population. The stakes are high, and the results of this life-changing pandemic have been thrust upon us unexpectedly by an uninvited guest, a virus that craves human hosts, and has the capacity to quickly evolve in response to our best-known defenses.
It is a formidable opponent. The challenges we face are defined by how we think about them, and whether or not we bravely seek out facts that may run counter to our deeply held beliefs, or the beliefs of others in our families and our non-family systems. Bowen theory yields a framework for observation and rational discernment of pathways to successful living, to survive and thrive. For highly social animals like humans, successful living means accomplishing our common goals cooperatively with members in each of our important emotional systems.
The value of Bowen theory in my life has been to embrace the following principles:
- Recognize that change is a constant; keep defining and refining self as an intentional daily practice;
- Reflect often on my principles of engagement with family and colleagues;
- Be flexible. Tweak my principles when challenges arise that require a new or broader perspective, alternative resources, or the use of my imagination to seek and try an array of potential solutions;
- Continuously seek thoughtful engagement with family, friends, and co-workers in whatever new environment emerges.
On February 25th at the CFC Conference on Clinical Applications of Bowen Theory, I will discuss these principles and other aspects of differentiation in one of the afternoon workshops, titled, Differentiation of Self and Organizational Leadership: Everyone Plays a Part! Information about the program is below.
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Registration is open for the 24th Annual Day of Workshops - February 25, 2022
Clinical Application of Bowen Family Systems Theory
Dr. Murray Bowen developed a comprehensive new theory of the family. Based on his view of the human as part of nature and the family as a natural system, Dr. Bowen described the emotional process and the automatic patterns of behavior among family members. He is best known for his concept of differentiation of self and the scale of differentiation that described the broad range of variation in human emotional functioning.
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Morning Schedule
9:00 A.M. Keynote Address
Family and Self: The Context of Differentiation
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The clinical application of the formal theory of the family developed by Murray Bowen largely involves an understanding of the emotional system and differentiation of self. The maturation or differentiation of a self occurs over the several decades of our development and remains relatively stable upon reaching adulthood.
Individuals, however, have the capacity to enhance their level of maturity which translates into the enhancement of their physical, psychological, and relationship functioning. And just as maturity develops in the context of the family, enhancing it also optimally occurs in the context of one’s family. This is the principal objective in the application of Bowen theory. Dr. Noone will discuss factors involved in this process and recent knowledge contributing to this effort.
10:10 A.M. - Break
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10:30 A.M. - Video & Discussion, “Nuclear Family Emotional System and Family Projection Process”
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In this 1980 lecture Dr. Murray Bowen presents two of the core concepts of Bowen theory which relate to the basic functioning of the nuclear family emotional system. In addition to being a basic pattern in the nuclear family, the concept of the family projection process describes the transmission of parental immaturity to one or more of the children and captures a central process leading to variation in the basic functioning among siblings and from one generation to the next.
12:00 P.M. Lunch
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Afternoon Schedule
Attendees choose one of three presentations during each workshop period.
1:00 P.M.
“We See the World Through the Eyes of Our Mother” – Murray Bowen, M.D.
Advanced Technology, Social Media and Its Effects on Mental Health
Theory as a Guide to Therapy
2:10 P.M. Break
2:30 P.M.
Exploring the Possible Evolutionary Functions of Murray Bowen’s Concept of the Triangle
The Seesaw Effect: Over/Underfunctioning
Differentiation of Self and Organizational Leadership: Everyone Plays a Part!
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Conference Information
Date: Friday, February 25, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Online via ZOOM
Continuing Education Credits: 5.5 credit hours for full-day attendees approved for: Social Workers, Professional Counselors/Clinical Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Psychologists
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Registration
Deadline to register: February 24, 2022
Fees: $120.00 ($75.00 for students with current I.D.)
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Discount extended!
Family and Self
Bowen Theory and the Shaping of Adaptive Capacity
ROBERT J. NOONE
Family psychiatrist and researcher Murray Bowen’s effort to contribute to a science of human behavior led to the famous Family Study Project at NIMH and the later development of a formal theory of the family and its clinical application. Later known as Bowen theory, it represented a radical departure from the individualistic paradigm predominant in psychiatry. Following Bowen’s mode, this book examines the interplay between the individual and the family in shaping the differential capacity to effectively adapt to life’s many challenges.
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What is CFC faculty reading and viewing this Winter? |
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Leslie Fox highly recommends the “Special Issue: Creating a Climate for Change”, in Family Systems, A Journal of Natural Systems, Thinking in Psychiatry and the Sciences, published by the Bowen Center for the Study of Family. This comprehensive look at one of the top existential threats to humankind was guest- edited by CFC faculty member, Stephanie J. Ferrera, MSW. It includes her introduction to the issue, along with her article “The Growth Dynamic”. Other articles included: “Understanding and Managing the Impact of Climate changes on Anxiety: Bowen Theory and an Evolutionary Perspective” by Victoria Harrison, MA; "Murray Bowen’s Contribution to the Study of Complex Human Systems" by Daniel V. Papero PhD, MSSW; and “Human Nature and Sustainability: Individual Behavior Is Not Individual” by John Gowdy Ph.D.
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Cecilia Guzman recommends Cured: The Life-Changing Science of Spontaneous Healing by Jeffrey Rediger, M.D. A must read for all individuals looking to explore deeper mind/body connectivity and understanding. Rediger has an easy style and the basic science he presents is easily comprehended. Most importantly, his thinking is systems oriented and aligns very well with much of Bowen Theory. I couldn't put the book down!
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Kelly Matthews-Pluta recommends The End of Trauma: How the New Science of Resilience is Changing How We Think About PTSD by John Bonanno. Drawing on four decades of research, pioneering psychologist Bonanno explains what makes us resilient, why we sometimes aren’t, and how we can better handle traumatic stress. He posits that what we often interpret as PTSD are signs of a natural process of learning how to deal with a specific situation. We can cope far more effectively if we understand how this process works.
Kelly also recommends Malcolm Gladwell’s recently published book: Talking to Strangers. It is a sharp look at how easily we can lose our objectivity. He recounts events in the media and how under closer investigation we might uncover a broader perspective. What was commonly understood about the incident is far from the whole story. His writing is clear and engaging.
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CFC faculty presentations Winter, 2022
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John Bell, M.Div. is giving a presentation on February 11, 2022, on Zoom for the Bowen Center for the Study of Families’ Faith Leadership Conference: Challenges of Ministry in an Age of Reactivity. In his presentation, “Family of Origin as Continuing Education: Advanced Training in Leadership Development”, Reverend Bell will discuss how we relate to challenges and situations is a product of our family of origin. Applying Bowen’s concepts to one’s own family is the first step in working towards differentiation of self.
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Lisa Moss, MSW is facilitating a series of in person workshops on resiliency for veterans at Cook County Jail on behalf of the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces. Her next workshop presentation will be in April. The American Red Cross also offers this program via Zoom as part of their Service to Veterans. The goal of each workshop is to provide a safe, educational space for participants to discuss challenges and concerns and learn the tools to build upon their natural resilience. The workshops are free and open to anyone with a military veteran affiliation. The website link above provides further information.
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Upcoming - CFC’s Annual Conferences and Online Courses, Spring 2022
Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM CDT
March 10th through April 28, 2022
Family of Origin Group
Monthly on Mondays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM CDT
Next Sessions Meetings begin February 28, 2022
Daniel V. Papero, PhD, Bowen Center for the Study
of the Family
May 6 and 7, 2022
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST
Summer Conference
Guest Presenter: Amie Post, MA, LCMF
Executive Director, Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County, Inc. and Faculty, Bowen Center for the Study of Family
Friday, July 22, 2022
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST
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CFC News published quarterly by Center for Family Consultation
"The goal...is to rise up out of the emotional togetherness that binds us all."
Murray Bowen, M.D.
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Center for Family Consultation | 847-868-2654
820 Davis Street, Suite 504, Evanston, IL E-mail:info@centerforfamilyconsultation.net
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