Bowenian Approach

Techniques and Interventions

     Bowenian therapists’ primary treatment goal is to increase family members’ ability to delineate between thought and emotion, so individuals are able to act independent of emotionality and develop more differentiated selves (Nichols, 2014). Since the goal of Bowenian therapy is grounded in insight, not action, Bowen eschewed the widespread use of prescribed interventions (Nichols, 2014). Although Bowen Theory places little emphasis on specific techniques, therapists often employ three techniques to help clients achieve greater differentiation (Gibson and Donigian, 1993; Nichols, 2014): Family of origin work, process questions, and the relationship experiment.

 

Family of Origin Work

     Genograms are the centerpiece of family of origin work. Genograms are multi-generational genealogies that depict names, dates, relationships, illnesses, and important events, as well as emotional connections and relationship patterns (i.e., conflicts, divorces, fusions) (Gibson and Donigian, 1993). During assessment, Bowenian therapists employ genograms spanning at least three generations to help clients identify and objectively examine their family systems (Gibson and Donigian, 1993; Kerr, 2014; Nichols, 2014). Recognizing the emotional interplays within family systems endows clients with increased autonomy over decisions to continue participation in those interplays (Gibson and Donigan, 1993).

 

Process Questions

     Bowenian therapists use process questions to decrease promote clients’ deliberate self-examination of the ways and means by which they contribute to their interpersonal conflicts (Nichols, 2014). An example of a process question is, When your husband ignores you, how do you react?

 

Relationship Experiments

     Relationship experiments build on the self-reflection and awareness elicited by process questions. Relationship experiments are constructed to help clients explore alternative actions to their familiar, emotionally driven responses (Nichols, 2014). Searching for and enacting alternative behaviors propels clients from reflexive emotional responses toward thoughtful action (Nichols, 2014).