October 2006 - July 2007
Clinical Conference Series Schedule

The Clinical Conference series is designed to illustrate the interplay of theory and technique in a variety of human issues. Each month, a different faculty member is responsible for the program and selects a topic from his or her own professional interest. The 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. The conference is held at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, near American University in Washington, DC. Further information about the conference, including information about the format and CEUs is available at the main Clinical Conference web page. Fees for next year's conferences are posted at the bottom of this page.

October 6, 2006
Differentiation of Self and Neurofeedback
Priscilla J. Friesen, LICSW
Neurofeedback training is useful in interrupting automatic reactive patterns that are developed and regulated in relationships, permitting the individual to experience a shift in the balance of feeling and thinking.  This is a necessary step for those working on the differentiation of self.  This day will demonstrate neurofeedback or brain wave training and will illustrate its use with Bowen theory in two taped interviews.  The initial presentation will frame the day: to understand an individual’s brain functioning as a product of the family, and the impact of an individual’s change on relationships.

November 2, 2006
Lets Consider “Functional Helplessness”
Daniel V. Papero, PhD, MSW
The state or condition Bowen referred to as functional helplessness appears at the core of many, if not all clinical presentations.  While neither a syndrome nor a conventional diagnosis, functional helplessness can affect both the clinician and the patient.  Functional helplessness as a phenomenon will be discussed and illustrated in the taped clinical interviews.

December 1, 2006
Obstacles to Differentiation of Self
Louise Rauseo, RN,MS
Therapy based on Bowen theory is aimed at helping a person “grow up” in facing life’s challenges.  While the “growing up” or differentiation process varies for each person, obstacles in “self” and the system are predictable.  This day will consist of interviews with clinical families to illustrate the obstacles and the ways a therapist’s knowledge of emotional systems can help people move beyond the roadblocks.

January 19, 2007
Defining a Self in Important Relationships
Kathleen B. Kerr, MSN, MA
Clinical work informed by Bowen theory guides efforts to be more of a self in important relationships.  Observing self and others and identifying predictable emotional patterns become a base for changing one’s own part in these patterns.  The change involves guiding one’s behavior oneself, rather than being buffeted by the forces of the emotional system.  People new and people experienced with the process will be interviewed.

February 16, 2007
The Young Adult
Anne S. McKnight, LCSW, Ed.D
Young adults separate from their families to support themselves, create new relationships, and make their mark in the world.  Often creative, intelligent, and hard-working, these young people are tied to and affected by their relationships with their original families.  Through interviews with individuals and couples, the bonds and dilemmas young adults face today with their families will be explored as influential on their present lives.

March 16, 2007
Bowen Theory Applied to Family Firms, and Family Foundations
Kathleen Wiseman, MBA
Bowen theory contributes to make when consulting to family firms, family foundations, and businesses.  Understanding anxiety and structuring group interactions in ways that diminishes anxiety and improves thinking are at the core of its effectiveness.  Two cases will be used to demonstrate how Bowen theory is applied to organizational consulting.

April 20, 2007
The Importance of Triangles in Differentiation of Self
Michael E. Kerr, MD
Misconceptions abound about the role of triangles in the process of differentiation.  Triangles are important for several reasons.  One is that comprehending the impact of triangles on two-person relationships enables people to gain more emotional neutrality.  A second reason is that it is easier to define a “self” in relationship to two others than it is to do it with one other person.  Clinical interviews will illustrate both of these ideas.

May 11, 2007
Building an Understanding of Bowen Theory
Beatrice Flynn, MS, APRN, CSP
This day is designed to provide a basic understanding of the concepts of Bowen theory. Using the analogy of building a home, this conference considers the development of Bowen family systems theory as a means of understanding human behavior.  Lecture, discussion and clinical tapes will be used. 

June 15, 2007
Sibling Position-“In My Family, I Was the One Who…”
Roberta Gilbert, MD
The concept of sibling position, first elaborated by Walter Toman, has been useful in understanding much about relationships, personalities and even success in life.  What has been less understood is how families press individuals into functional niches that can modify even the classic Toman descriptions.  Clinical interviews with families will open the door on this fascinating topic that affects all of us.

July 13, 2007
Longitudinal Observations of Efforts Towards Differentiation
Douglas Murphy, MA, MCMFT
The day will consist of videotape segments of clinical work with one family over a period of seven years. For those interested in the long term processes that occur in the effort to differentiate a self in relation to others, this extended period of taped clinical work presents a valuable resource.  Audience questions and discussion will be integral and encouraged.

Time
9:30 AM-3:30 PM

Fees

	Regular	Trainee	Student
Entire Series:	$785.00	$575.00	$230.00
Four-conference package (excludes November):	$370.00	$245.00	$85.00
Dates: 1.________	2.________	3.________	4.________
Individual Conference (excludes November):	$110.00	$90.00	$35.00
November Conference: Increased price reflects cost of hotel space	$120.00	105.00	$40.00
Dates chosen:________________________:			$________
Fee to participate in CEU process - $10.00 per day:			$________
Total:_________

Place
Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church
3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016
Free parking on upper tier of lot (closest to street).

The November Conference will be held at the Arlington Hilton, Arlington, Virginia.

Further Information
Call the Center at (202) 965-4400 or (800) 432-6882 or e-mail: info@thebowencenter.org