Thinking Theory in an Elevator 

Dixie Vandersluys, MA, CCC and  Katherine White MS, RMFT

How would you describe differentiation of self to a stranger in a 30-second elevator ride? That is the challenge put out by the Living Systems podcast, Elevator Systems. This presentation will look at the usefulness and challenges of presenting Bowen theory in “brief and understandable” ways. Podcast hosts Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White will walk you through the format of the podcast, some of their favorite moments, as well as the impact this podcast has had on their own understanding of theory. 

Ms. Vandersluys (left) is a Canadian Certified Counsellor based in Manitoba, Canada. She has undergraduate degrees in history and philosophy and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Providence Theological Seminary.  Dixie enjoys seeing clients across Canada in her private practice, Storybrook Therapy. Dixie is also a faculty member at Living Systems Counseling and Training and is creator and host of the Elevator Systems podcast.   

Ms. White is a Marriage and Family Therapist registered in the US and Canada.  She has been working with individuals, couples and families in schools, clinics, and non-profit centers for twenty years in the US, Australia and Canada. In 2010, Katie began focusing her practice using Bowen family systems theory and has attended the Post-Graduate Program at the Bowen Center.  Katie is currently the Executive Director of Living Systems, a non-profit organization in Vancouver Canada which focuses on Bowen theory in its training and counselling practice. Katie teaches and supervises interns there, as well as managing a private practice in Vancouver.