Clinical Study Seminar

Two years of a post-graduate-level learning program in Bowen theory at the Bowen Center or a Network Center. Each participant is required to be in consultation with a Bowen theory professional.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on April 1st. The application process includes a completed application form and an interview with the program head, Dr. Anne McKnight. Returning participants, please select the returning student option.

The purpose of the program is to deepen understanding of the clinical application of Bowen theory through reading and through case presentations and discussion. Participants may engage in the Clinical Study Seminar along with another Bowen theory program such as the Continuing Studies Program or the Postgraduate Program.

Meetings occur monthly, on Fridays, from September through May at 10:00am - 1:00pm Eastern Time.

• Friday, September 19, 2025 

• Friday, October 10, 2025 

• Friday, November 14, 2025 

• Friday, December 12, 2025 

• Friday, January 09, 2026 

• Friday, February 13, 2026 

• Friday, March 20, 2026  

• Friday, April 17, 2026  

• Friday, May 08, 2026  

The group meets monthly on Fridays, for 3 hours each session.

— The first half of the meeting is comprised of two clinical case presentations from participants with follow-up discussion. All participants will sign up for 2-3 presentation slots at the start of the program, and prepare a real-life clinical case from their practice to present to the group on their assigned days.

— The second half of the meeting involves group discussion of 2 assigned readings — (1) a chapter reading from the current year’s assigned publication (2) a case study. Similarly to the clinical presentation, at the beginning of the year, each participant will sign up for 2-3 slots to lead discussion of the chapter reading, and the case study.

The assigned reading for the 2025-2026 Clinical Study Seminar is:

Kerr, M. E., & Bowen, M. (1988). Family Evaluation: An approach based on Bowen theory. W W Norton & Co.

The fee for the program is $1,000 and is due by August 1, 2025.  For tuition questions, please see the Bowen Center’s Tuition Policy Page.

The Clinical Study Seminar began in 2021.

Anne S. McKnight, EdD, LCSW has been a member of the Bowen Center faculty since 1992 and served as director of the Bowen Center from 2010 - 2020. Her activities have included directing, teaching, and supervising in the Postgraduate Programs, leading the internship program, organizing and presenting at Bowen Center sponsored conferences and at national and international meetings. Dr. McKnight has been a family therapist for over 40 years. She developed a special interest in families with addiction through working, teaching, and supervising students in a child and family substance abuse program in Virginia. Dr. McKnight is the author of Thinking Systems and has also written chapters in many books on Bowen theory and contributed articles for Family Systems Journal.

This Clinical Study Seminar provides a maximum of 27 credit hours of Category I continuing education for counseling and social work. 

Purchase of Continuing Education Credits indicates that you have read the policies below:

REQUIREMENTS FOR CE ELIGIBILITY: 

• Pay the $40 CE fee at time of program registration.

• Attend ALL live streamed or in-person sessions of a program in their entirety. The program coordinator will note your attendance at every session. We do not offer partial credits for partial attendance - 100% program attendance is required.

• If livestreamed, enable video and show your name on screen so that you are visible throughout the entirety of the session, 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:

• CEs are not sold once a program has already begun.

• The Bowen Center does not offer refunds for CEs.

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

• We do not offer partial CE credit for partial program attendance. Missing a session(s) will result in disqualification from credits, without a refund.

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

EXCEPTIONS:

Exceptions will be made only for truly unavoidable and extenuating circumstances. Please contact the Learning & Development Coordinator in advance if you experience any such circumstances during the program year that affect your CE eligibility.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Participants deepen their understanding of Bowen theory through reading and discussion of theory.

2. Participants deepen their understanding of Bowen theory though the clinical application of theory in presentation of case studies.

3. Through self-reflection and thinking stimulated in discussion with the supervisor and other participants improve the management of self in sessions.

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.

For questions about continuing education, please email ContinuingEducation@thebowencenter.org

Please contact Dr. McKnight for questions regarding the program. For administrative questions, please contact Rachel Burnham, Learning & Development Coordinator,