Clinical Conference Series 2025-2026 

The Clinical Conferences—held online via zoom—are designed to assist professional people in the pursuit of clinical excellence. Using presentations, videotaped interviews with family members, and ample discussion time, the conferences illustrate the interplay of theory and technique for a variety of human issues. The goals of each conference are to illustrate the application of Bowen theory in practice and to enhance people’s understanding of differentiation of self.

Each month, a different faculty member is responsible for the program and selects a topic of 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 clinical problems.

Registration for the 2025-2026 Virtual Conference Package is now available via Eventbrite. *The individual conferences will have registration available shortly. The season starts with a hybrid clinical conference on Thursday, November 6, 2025. (This conference is the day before the 62st Annual Symposium).

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The conferences offer CE’s. Register with conference registration. Learn more here.

Overview

Schedule for the Day | 2025-2026 Conferences | Fees | Continuing Education | History | Who Will Benefit

With the exception of the November Clinical Conference, each conference lasts from 9:30am to 12:30 Eastern time with a 15 minute break.

Thursday, November 6, 2025 *Hybrid (In-person or online) – NOT part of the Clinical Conference Package 

Systems Research Based on Bowen Theory 

Randall T. Frost, MDiv
in Dialogue with Daniel V. Papero, PhD, LCSW, Victoria Harrison, MA, and John Millikin, PhD, LMFT 

Description: Murray Bowen developed his theory of the family as an emotional system by testing hypotheses of clinical outcome based on the developing theory.  This Clinical Conference will seek to understand the variables leading to a decision to marry by a couple who had postponed their engagement and then after marriage found they could not conceive.  The woman was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency and had no evidence of any eggs.  How did addressing variables defined by theory change the physiology of a 34-year-old woman from a 50-year-old to a 25-year-old who went on to birth two children? 

Friday, December 5, 2025 *Online – #1 of the Clinical Conference Package 

Mistakes Made Lessons Learned- Applying Bowen Theory to Family Business and Families of Wealth 

Kathleen Wiseman, MBA 

Description: This Clinical Conference provides an opportunity to listen and learn from two consultants' experience. One consultant founded and grew her own firm and the other has joined a well-established institution. Both have deep experience and knowledge of Bowen Theory as the theoretical foundation of their professional career.  

 What are the advantages of having a theoretical framework to guide one's professional interactions?  What have they learned over the years and how did mistakes provide valuable and impactful learning?  What questions remain? What situations have been the most challenging and what are the resources they use to continue their learning? 

Friday, January 16, 2026 *Online – #2 of the Clinical Conference Package 

The Effort in Family and its Impact Upon Workplace Effectiveness

Kenton Derstine, MDiv, DMin 

Description: This conference will explore the idea that the effort for differentiation of self in one's family contributes to enhanced functioning in the workplace. Awareness of the emotional and relationship patterns across preceding generations can inform the effort to become a more connected and responsible self in one's family as well as the workplace. In addition to exploring key theoretical elements, a clinical interview will be shown to illustrate the interplay between the effort in one’s family and in one’s work. 

Friday, March 13, 2026 Online – #3 of the Clinical Conference Package 

Viewing Generations of a Family as a System: What Difference Does it Make? 

Anne S. McKnight, EdD, LCSW 

Description: One of the unique aspects of Bowen theory is the importance of the multigenerational family in the work of differentiation of self. Researching and connecting with one’s family of origin are important steps in observing patterns of family functioning and gaining neutrality toward present challenges in one’s life. Engaging with the extended family allows one insight into the automatic programming that underlies relationship reactivity and encourages a focus beyond problems and symptoms that are absorbing in the present. 

Presenter:   

Thursday, April 09, 2026  *ONLINE – NOT part of the Clinical Conference Package

From Family Patterns to Differentiation:  Exploring Bowen Theory’s Multigenerational Transmission Process in Clinical Practice

Priscilla Friesen, LICSW 

Description: This Clinical Conference explores Bowen theory’s concept of multigenerational transmission process as a pathway to developing a more defined self. Participants will learn how relationship patterns are passed through family systems as each generation adapts to its challenges, and how these patterns continue to shape present-day relationships. Through presentations, discussion, and clinical examples, the day will highlight how awareness of generational emotional process both challenges the work of differentiation of self and guides effective therapeutic practice. 

Friday, May 15, 2026 *Online – #4 of the Clinical Conference Package 

Navigating Death with a Family Systems View 

Barbara Laymon, PhD, MPH 

Description: Many challenges emerge when counseling or coaching someone who is close to a family member nearing the end of life. How does the counselor keep a firm grip on the reality of the situation? What are the ethical responsibilities? How does a family systems view make a difference? What can the counselor do to manage self? This three-hour conference explores ways of approaching the death of a family member with a family systems view.

Register for individual conferences at their Eventbrite links below each conference description. For conference series and first-time attendees purchases, please contact info@thebowencenter.org.
Return policy: With advance notice, it is possible to apply payment to a subsequent conference in the same academic year.

Each one-day online Clinical Conference provides a maximum of 2.75 credit hours of Category I continuing education for counseling and social work. The November Hybrid conference is a longer day. It offers a maximum of x credit hours of Category I continuing education for counseling and social work. You must register for CEs prior to the event. We are unable to offer them after the event. Due to clinical confidentiality, recordings for the Clinical Conferences are not available for later viewing.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CE ELIGIBILITY: 

• Pay the CE fee of $15 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 

• Demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts in Bowen theory. 

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the application of the concepts in clinical practice. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of Bowen family systems theory and the individually oriented theories used in clinical practice. 

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the similarities and differences in the application of conventional theories and Bowen theory in clinical practice. 

• Demonstrate the use of strategies employed in Bowen theory. 

• Demonstrate the capacity to maintain a family focus in all phases of the treatment process. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of one’s own self-awareness in being an effective therapist. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the coach/therapist in the clinical process. 

• Demonstrate the ability to address a wide range of social, emotional and physical problems when using Bowen theory. 

• Demonstrate the capacity to intervene appropriately enable the clients to address their issues and concerns. 

• Demonstrate the ability to employ Bowen theory in all phases of the treatment process including assessment, diagnosis and treatment. 

• Demonstrate a solid grounding in the values and theory required for competency in clinical practice. 

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

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. He pioneered the use of videotape in family therapy and saw its potential for teaching and enhancing the therapeutic process. In 1978 the project moved to Washington under the auspices of the Georgetown University 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.

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. Graduate students are especially welcome.