The 2011-2012 Clinical Conferences

The Clinical Conference series is designed to illustrate the interplay of theory and technique in a variety of human issues. How a professional thinks about the range of emotional issues that are part of one's practice is important in the outcome. Theory guides the thinking of the therapist and the techniques selected during the clinical hour. The goal of the series is to assist in the pursuit of clinical excellence.

Each month, a different faculty member is responsible for the program and selects a topic from his or her own professional interest. The format of the day includes a lecture on a particular theme followed by videotaped clinical sessions that illustrate the topic. After each presentation there is ample time for discussion and participation by the registrants. The format with its changing topics provides an opportunity to hear different perspectives on Bowen theory applied to a broad range of human problems.

Dates for the Clinical Conference for 2011-2012:

September 30, 2011
Defining Self across Generations
Anne McKnight, EdD, LCSW

This conference will address efforts of individuals to define self across generations: a mother taking responsibility for self in relation to her problem child and a young adult defining herself in the triangle with her divorced parents. Concepts in Bowen theory important to understand defining a self will be discussed: observing and moderating reactivity in self, identifying and managing self in triangles, addressing cutoff, distilling principles and living with them, and being capable of identifying emotional patterns of which one is a part. Videotaped interviews will illustrate efforts and obstacles to defining a self in one's family.

November 3, 2011
The Functional Level of Differentiation
Daniel V. Papero, PhD, LCSW

At the heart of the Bowen theory lies the concept of differentiation. The concept is generally the most difficult one for people to grasp and apply. While one can appreciate the concept intellectually, the real challenge emerges when one attempts to apply the ideas in their relationship systems. Differentiation of self ultimately requires action steps in the context of relationships. Bowen once described the effort as "using the cognitive to control the twitch" that results from automatically reacting to others. This clinical conference will explore functional levels of differentiation in the context of family and work systems.

December 2, 2011
Differentiation of Self in Health and Reproduction
Victoria Harrison, MA, LCSW

Bowen family systems theory helps therapists, physicians, and family members observe and modify biological reactions, behaviors, and relationship patterns associated with symptoms that affect health and reproduction. Two families will describe their work on differentiation of self in marriage, in family of origin, and in relation to medical treatment while equipment displays physiological reactions and brain activity corresponding to reactivity and to changes associated with improved health and functioning.

January 13, 2012
The Challenges of Marital Fusion
Douglas Murphy, MA, LCMFT

Differentiation of self can be implemented in any significant relationship. Nuclear family relationships are particularly challenging as they are ongoing and omnipresent. Marital relationships present their own challenges. In videotaped interviews, long-term clients will explore fusion in their marriage.

February 10, 2012
Functional Inderdependence and Family Relationships
Laura Brooks, LCSW-C

Functional interdependence between family members derives from an underlying emotional process in the relationship system. This conference will focus on the evidence for functional interdependence in family relationships, the part each person plays, and the impact of chronic anxiety. Emphasis will be on functional interdependence, reciprocity, and adaptiveness in family relationships. Automatic and predictable patterns will be elucidated that are driven by an underlying emotional process within the family relationship system. Issues related to functional interdependence will be illustrated in interviews with two adoptive families.

March 16, 2012
Resilience and Differentiation of Self
Louise Rauseo, RN, MS

Clinical work often deals with people’s responses to stress and adversity. Bowen theory offers a broad way of thinking about the individual differences that people show in their ability to “bounce back” from difficult life situations with resilience. Clinical interviews will demonstrate individual differences and the effort of individuals to move toward greater differentiation as they deal with life’s challenges.

April 13, 2012
The Process of Differentiation
Michael E. Kerr, MD

Bowen theory provides a lens for observing factually the interdependence of emotional functioning in one’s own family and other relationship systems and one’s part in the process. This emotional objectivity permits a level of emotional neutrality that helps people get beyond blame and self-blame. This radical change in perception renders relationship dilemmas less threatening and opens up possibilities for new decisions and actions in relationship to others. The actions are more constructive for oneself and for the system because the focus is on changing self in relationship to others and not on trying to change others. Such actions can reduce the level of chronic anxiety in a relationship system. This conference will illustrate these ideas.

May 11, 2012
Death and Family Functioning
Priscilla Friesen, LCSW

This presentation will focus on the interplay of family emotional process and the death of a family member. When a person dies, the impact a death has in a family and the variations in the family experience of death are quite different. Videotaped sessions will highlight challenges to being a self in the context of a death in the family.

June 15, 2012
Differentiation of Self and Leadership
Roberta Gilbert, MD

Leadership, when considered from a family systems point of view is different—and better. Not only do people report better functioning in their organizations but they also find many opportunities to work on differentiation of self there. How family systems theory enlightens the subject of leadership will be considered. Leaders who have seen theory make a difference will present their work in videotaped interviews.

History
The Conference series began in January 1967, as a monthly videotaped interview project with families seen by Murray Bowen at the Medical College of Virginia. In 1978 the project moved to Washington under the auspices of the Georgetown Family Center. Gradually, responsibility for the conference was transferred to the faculty of the Family Center. The long, continuous history and the unusual format of videotaping families who are invited to the clinical day make this conference unique in the world of family theory and family psychotherapy.

Eligibility
The Clinical Conference is designed for mental health professionals, and other professionals with postgraduate training. This includes but is not limited to: psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, counselors, clergy, and other mental health clinicians. Students are especially welcome.

CEUs
The Georgetown Family Center is approved as an independent provider of continuing education credit by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners and the District of Columbia Board of Social Work. It is also approved as an independent provider of CEUs for counselors.

If you plan to participate in the CEU process, it is necessary to:
1. Pay the CEU fee of $15 per conference
2. Sign CEU registration form each day of conference
3. Prepare to stay for the entire conference
4. Submit a completed evaluation at day’s end.

Each clinical conference day provides a maximum of 6 hours of Category I continuing education credit for social workers.

Time
9:30 AM-3:30 PM