Save the date for

The 62nd Annual Symposium on Family Theory and Family Psychotherapy
November 7 - 8, 2025
Washington, DC or Online

Each Symposium features both a Guest Lecturer and a full roster of presentations from members of the Bowen network who present and discuss their latest research. Ample time is allowed for audience questions and discussion. Continuing education credits will be available.

Distinguished Guest Lecturer: Dr. Amy Arnsten

The Symposium is a hybrid conference. It will be held in-person at The Hill Center in Washington, DC or ONLINE.

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Guest Lecturer

DR. AMY ARNSTEN is a Yale neuroscientist who studies the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that helps us focus, reason, and reflect. Her work shows how stress can disrupt our ability to think clearly and stay steady in our relationships. This research brings fresh insight to Bowen theory's central concept: differentiation of self.

Dr Arnsten’s Presentations:

Friday: The Prefrontal Cortex and the Top-Down Regulation of Thought, Action, and Emotion
This first lecture will describe the functions, anatomy, and physiology of the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex has the remarkable ability to represent information without any sensory stimulation, the foundation for abstract thought, working memory, and the top-down control of attention, action, and emotion. The prefrontal cortex subserves the executive functions, e.g. planning and organization, and is critical for social cognition and appropriate social behavior, including metacognitive abilities such as Theory of Mind (knowing what someone else is thinking), empathy, insight about oneself and others, and remembering to remember. The prefrontal cortex in humans has hemispheric specialization, with the left hemisphere generating language in most people, and being our “cheerleader.” In contrast, the right hemisphere is specialized for inhibiting inappropriate actions, attention, and emotions.  

In this presentation, we will review the anatomical networks and local circuits that create these remarkable functions, including how prefrontal neurons excite each other to keep information “in mind” through glutamate synapses on dendritic spines. We will also review the circuits and mechanisms that generate emotion, how these are regulated by higher prefrontal cortical circuits, and how the prefrontal cortex dysfunctions in most neuropsychiatric and cognitive disorders. We will briefly review the evolution and development of the prefrontal cortex. It is the last brain area to fully mature, making it especially vulnerable to insults, and yet the first to degrade with age, starting in middle age. There are also changes in adolescence that make the prefrontal cortex especially vulnerable to dysfunction with stress, the topic of our second lecture. 

Saturday: Prefrontal Cortical Function is Impaired by Fatigue, Stress, and Inflammation: Molecular Mechanisms and Targets for Treatment
Although the prefrontal cortex subserves remarkable cognitive and executive abilities, it is also remarkably fragile. Indeed, the very molecular mechanisms that it needs to keep information “in mind” render it vulnerable to dysfunction and degeneration when these molecular actions are not tightly regulated, e.g. due to inflammation. Although many biological functions have an inverted U relationship to arousal state, the prefrontal cortex has a uniquely narrow inverted U, where either fatigue or uncontrollable stress impairs its functioning, and there is a narrow window for optimal function. A key aspect of stress effects on prefrontal function is that the subject must feel they have no control over the situation to induce detrimental actions, an arena where cultural factors interact with biological mechanisms. Chronic stress actually causes loss of prefrontal connections that can be seen on MRI as a loss of gray matter, especially in the frontal pole needed for metacognitive abilities such as insight, and top-down control, including top-down control of emotion that can increase risk of depression.  We have been learning about many of the molecular mechanisms that cause the prefrontal cortex to dysfunction with uncontrollable stress, down to the level of ion channels. This has allowed for the development of treatments for prefrontal disorders now in widespread use, e.g. prazosin and propranolol for the treatment of PTSD, and guanfacine (Intuniv) for the treatment of ADHD, trauma and a variety of related disorders, including new studies on “brain fog” from long-COVID and delirium.  

Conference Details & Registration

Symposium Dates: Friday, November 7 - Saturday, November 8, 2025
Location: Hybrid. The conference will be held In-person at The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital OR Online via Zoom.
Hill Center address: 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Conference rates :

  • General Admission: $350 (In-Person or Online via Zoom). *All tickets are for the two-day full conference. There are no single day ticket options.

  • Full-time Student Rates: $100. Please Contact the Center to gain access to student tickets. A current copy of your schedule or similar verification is required.

  • CE’s for this two-day conference: $30. Purchase Continuing Education Credits in the “Add-On” section on Eventbrite, when registering for the the conference. *Please read our CE policy and add when registering for the conference.
    Questions: Info@thebowencenter.org.

  • First-time Conference registrants: A 15% off rate is available for anyone who has never attended a Bowen Center conference. Contact info@thebowencenter.org for the discount code before you register.

The Publications table will be open at the Symposium. An assortment of Bowen Center books and Family Systems Journals will be available for purchase and subscription, including the Bowen Center’s new book, Thinking Systems.

Please plan to join the Symposium Reception immediately following the conference programming on Friday.

*All ticket sales will end on Thursday, November 6 at 9pm. All CE credit purchases will also close at this time and will not be available for purchase on the day of the event. 

Questions: Please contact the Center.

Schedule

Friday, November 7, 2025

Time

Title

Presenter(s)
8:50 Welcome and Introduction
Randall T. Frost, MDiv, Director of the Bowen Center
Morning Moderator
9:00 The Prefrontal Cortex and the Top-Down Regulation of Thought, Action, and Emotion Amy Arnsten, PhD
10:00 Discussion with Dr. Arnsten
10:30 Break
10:45 The Prefrontal Cortex and the Family Emotional System Daniel V. Papero, PhD, LCSW
11:30 Discussion: Dr. Arnsten and Dr. Papero
12:00 Lunch
Afternoon Moderator
1:30 Making Conceptual Contact with Science
This presentation is an effort to make solid conceptual contact with the research on the prefrontal cortex conducted by Dr. Arnsten. Differentiation of self may provide a conceptual link between the functioning of the family and the functioning of the prefrontal cortex of the human brain.		 Randall T. Frost, MDiv
1:55 From Holobionts to the Human Family: Differentiation of Self as a Fundamental Organizing Principle in Relational Systems
Holobionts—integrated host-microbe systems—demonstrate how individual organisms can maintain distinct identities and autonomous functions while participating in coordinated collective systems, mirroring the psychological challenge of differentiation in human relationships. This biological model reveals that strengthening individual capacity for independent function actually enhances rather than weakens relational systems, offering insights into how differentiated individuals create more robust family functioning through authentic responses rather than reactive compliance.		 Amie Post, MA, LCMFT
2:20 Panel Discussion: Dr. Arnsten, Dr. Papero, Mr. Frost, and Ms. Post
2:50 Break
3:05 Presentations on Related Topics
Individuality and Togetherness: Ten Years Later
This presentation offers thoughts about individuality and togetherness, the result of ten years research. Dr. Laymon describes insights and surprises from four projects: 1) her dissertation, 2) a study of different species, 3) the development of the Natural Systems Scale for Congregations, and 4) ongoing collaborations.		 Barbara Laymon, PhD
Togetherness and Individuality: Less Suspicious of the Togetherness Force
This initial inquiry seeks to bring greater objectivity to conceptualizing togetherness and individuality within Bowen theory by recognizing that both forces offer distinct resources and challenges.		 Katherine White, MS, RMFT
3:35 Minding the System: Expanding Mentalization Beyond the Dyad with Bowen Theory
This presentation uses Bowen theory to critique mentalization theory and practice. Bowen theory emphasizes how mental states vary by functioning position in a triangle, suggesting that strengthening mentalizing may require looking beyond the individual or dyad.		 William Orme, PhD
4:00 Discussion: Dr. Laymon, Ms. White, and Dr. Orme with Dr. Arnsten
4:30 Conference Day Adjourns
15 minute break until reception begins
4:45 Symposium Reception with refreshments. All in-person attendees are welcome!
With brief remarks by Jake Morrill, MDiv, and Randall T. Frost, MDiv
6:15 Reception ends

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Time

Title

Presenter(s)
8:50 Introduction and Housekeeping
Morning Moderator
9:00 Prefrontal Cortical Function is Impaired by Fatigue, Stress, and Inflammation: Molecular Mechanisms and Targets for Treatment Amy Arnsten, PhD
10:00 Family and the Shaping of Adaptive Capacity Robert J. Noone, PhD
10:30 The Brain Chemistry of Differentiation: Dr. Arnsten’s Brain Research Informs an Understanding of the Process of Differentiation
Fundamental to the concept of differentiation of self is the capacity to regulate and moderate emotions through the intellectual system. Dr. Amy Arsten’s research on the prefrontal cortex provides a foundation for understanding how the regulating process works. In this presentation, a clinical case will illustrate how accessing the intellectual system of the prefrontal cortex is central to the work of differentiation. 		Anne S. McKnight, EdD, LCSW
11:00 Break
11:15 Discussion and Questions: Drs. Noone, McKnight, and Arnsten
11:45 Lunch
Afternoon Moderator
1:15 Bowen Theory and the Social Determinants of Schizophrenia
This presentation compares and contrasts Bowen theory with the work of scientists studying the social determinants of health. It examines Bowen’s discoveries of variation in sibling groups and emotional process in development.		 Laurie Lassiter, PhD, LICSW
1:40 Alzheimer’s Disease and the Family Emotional System
Although there are numerous pathologies leading to the onset and development of Alzheimer’s disease, a growing number of animal and human studies suggest that stress is a major component of the illness. Unlike other Alzheimer’s studies, the theoretical application of Bowen theory in this case study expands the investigation of the disease process from the individual to family relationships.		 Mignonette N. Keller, PhD
2:05 Bowen Family Systems Family Theory for Virtual Treatment of Endometriosis in Spanish: A Case Study
This presentation demonstrates how Bowen family systems theory can be applied in Spanish language teletherapy for endometriosis, highlighting culturally attuned strategies to reduce family anxiety, address multigenerational patterns, and promote differentiation of self in managing chronic illness. 		Federico Mendez, MS, LMFT
2:30 Toxic Family Members, Estrangement, and Bowen Theory
This presentation focuses upon the growing trend of estrangement in families, now endorsed by growing segments of the therapy world. Bowen theory, however, offers an alternative view of challenging family relationships. Recent research provides evidence for the value of contact across and between generations.		 Anthony J. Wilgus, MA, MSW
2:55 Panel Discussion: Dr. Lassiter, Dr. Keller, Mr. Mendez, and Dr. Arnsten
3:25 Break
3:40 Final Discussion and Questions: Dr. Arnsten, Dr. Papero, and Mr. Frost
4:30 Adjournment

Accommodations

EASIEST METRO ACCESS (EASTERN MARKET STOP)
Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf (16min on the metro) | Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall (18min on the metro) | citizenM Washington DC Capitol (17min on the metro) | Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall (19min on the metro) |Residence Inn Washington, DC National Mall (16min on the metro)
Take the Blue, Orange, or Silver metro line from L’Enfant Plaza to Eastern Market. Use the Metro Trip Planner or Google Maps for best directions. Conference address: The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003.

WALKING OR UBER/LYFT (not ideal for metro)
Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard (21 min walking or 5 min driving from the venue) | Capitol Hill Hotel (14min walking, 4min driving from the venue) |Placemakr Apartments *Distance is relative to what apartments are available through their website Residence Inn Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard (26 min walking, 7 min driving from the venue)

Questions and Updates

Contact us for questions about registration, accommodations, and other conference related topics.

Continuing Education Credit Information

This two-day conference provides a total of 11 Category 1 continuing education (CE) credit hours for counseling or social work. **Purchase of CE’s indicates you’ve read and accepted the CE requirements below.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CE ELIGIBILITY: 

  • Pay the CE fee of $30 at time of registration. Be sure to choose “Add On” when purchasing your ticket on Eventbrite. CEs are not sold the day of the conference.

  • Attend each live streamed or in-person class in its entirety. The CE coordinator will note your attendance. We do not offer partial credits for partial attendance.

  • If livestreamed, enable video and show your name on screen so that you are visible throughout the entirety of the conference, except during designated breaks or lunch.  

  • Submit a completed evaluation no more than 60 days after the event. Shortly after the submission of your completed evaluation, you will be emailed a certificate.  

POLICIES:

  • The Bowen Center does not offer refunds for CEs.

  • We are unable to offer CE credit for viewing any recordings.

  • We do not offer partial CE credit for partial event attendance.

  • It is the sole responsibility of the participant to verify their state’s professional licensure criteria for CE qualifications.  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

  • Invite experienced Bowen thinkers from around the US and internationally to present their application of Bowen theory to clinical, research, and theory applications. 

  • Invite a scientist to speak as a Distinguished Guest Lecturer to present latest research that has an interplay with Bowen theory. 

  • Generate lively discussion on the presentations with the goal of provoking new learning and connections in the application of Bowen theory. 

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center is authorized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to provide continuing education credit. This program is a Category I offering.  

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6225. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

If you have any questions about Continuing Education, please email ContinuingEducation@thebowencenter.org

ACEP No. 6225

Previous Symposiums