"If I can discover and correct the part I play, all others will automatically correct their parts."

Murray Bowen

Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) will be offering a unique opportunity for our members' professional development: an 8-week seminar in Bowen family systems theory. Beginning April 8 this program will meet every Monday from 12-2:30 p.m. until June 3.

Please note that this seminar has limited space.

Background

Approximately 60 years ago Murray Bowen, M.D., a pioneer in family research, created a new paradigm that has significantly influenced our thinking about human behaviour. Since that time, ongoing investigation, research and communication with the natural sciences have continued throughout the world, offering a systemic, contextual alternative the cause-and-effect models now dominant in health care, organization and leadership development.

Bowen family systems theory understands the extended, multigenerational family to be an organism, an emotional system that has an enormous impact on the behaviour of each individual family member. The theory also proposes that an individual’s capacity to observe the emotional system and its patterns, and to clearly define their place within it, will affect their own functioning within the family and also influence the behaviour of other family members.

It is now widely recognized that how well any organization functions – whether it be a workplace, a family or a community, regardless of culture – depends on the degree to which its employees/members/citizens can clearly define themselves in relation to others within the organization. Bowen theory’s recognition of our interconnectedness and its description of the emotional system has important implications, not only for families and their members, but also for groups of all sizes, and for human health.

Social workers know that people can only be understood in relation to their social and physical environments, yet they often practice in settings where the focus is on individuals and cause-and-effect thinking. Bowen theory provides one route to supporting the development of safer social work practice – both for social workers and for those who use our services.

Program content, participation & process

This program offers a unique opportunity for social workers, whether they be in public or private practice, doing clinical or community work, serving as leaders in religious or secular organizations, owners of family businesses or working as supervisors or mentors.

• We will study and explore Bowen theory in a secure, small group setting. Eight interactive sessions will focus on an understanding of the theoretical framework of Bowen family systems theory while additionally investigating its application to the family, the workplace and the community.
• Along with rich and thought-provoking discussions, participants can expect to complete assigned readings and to summarize and present on sections of the assigned text.
• This program combines theoretical learning with exploration of self and one’s own family. Each participant will prepare and present a diagram of their own family during the seminar. Typically, this stimulates considerable self-reflection.
• Between sessions, participants are encouraged to define themselves more clearly in their work and family-of-origin systems. It is this effort that results in the deepest level of learning, integration and change.
• The personal nature of the process makes it particularly important that we treat each other with consideration and respect and that our discussions be kept strictly confidential, using our Code of Ethics as a guide.
• Registration indicates your acceptance of the program's processes and principles.

Core Bowen family systems theory concepts

• leadership
• emotion/fusion/anxiety
• togetherness and individuation forces
• differentiation of self
• emotional triangles
• nuclear family emotional process
• sibling position
• family projection process
• emotional cut-off
• societal emotional process
• multigenerational transmission process

Program Features

• Scheduling: Eight two and one-half (2 ½) hour sessions, held weekly.
• Location: Online via Zoom
• Enrolment: The program will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants, allowing participants to lead a discussion of assigned reading and to present information on their own families during the course of the program.
• Readings: Reading assignments will be selected from Bowen family systems theory texts and peer reviewed literature. The College will provide a textbook and other reading resources to each of the 12 participants.
• Professional development tracking: For members of NSCSW, the 20 session hours of this program are eligible to be tracked as formal professional development.

Program Facilitators

Anne Pirie

Anne Pirie, MSW, is a registered member of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers, living in Sackville, NB. Anne has worked in various clinical settings. Bowen family systems theory informs her understanding of families. Anne is actively retired; now engaged in a variety of non-profit organizations.

Jim Morton

Jim Morton, MSW, is a retired associate member of NSCSW with more than four decades of leadership, clinical and consulting experience in both the public and private sectors. Jim’s current interests centre on mental health, family systems theory, politics, and social change. He lives in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

What people have said about our programs

“I would definitely recommend this course because it is different from any other professional development I’ve undertaken and makes one think outside the box.”

“… a theory that is applicable to work with every client we see.”

“I loved it. I think about this framework all the time.”

“It has been quite literally a life altering experience!”

“A fine example of group work.”

“Strong, dynamic and sensitive leadership.”

“You’ve challenged my potential in ways I couldn’t imagine.”

“This really hits home!”

“Obviously experienced and knowledgeable.”

“Helpful, instructive, enriching.”

Planned delivery dates and times

Weekly – Consecutive Mondays, April 8 – June 3, 2024

Afternoons - 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Atlantic Time

Eligibility

Must be a current member of NSCSW to attend; all active, associate, retired, and student members are welcome. There is no other prerequisite.

Registration during each seminar will be limited to 12 participants, and the registration fee will include the seminar series and resource materials.

The facilitators welcome interest in this program from practitioners who:

• are engaged in clinical settings such as mental health, addictions, hospitals and private practice;
• have roles within family-owned businesses;
• own or run business ventures;
• provide leadership to work or religious organizations;
• deliver child protection services;
• consult and deliver services in educational settings; or
• are interested in enhancing their own capacity to be effective observers of systems processes.

You'll need a device that can use Zoom, and a reasonably reliable internet connection. Participants will also need to provide a mailing address where they wish to receive the course materials.

Categorization

Participating in the entire eight week session provides 20 hours of formal professional development as defined by NSCSW's guidelines for annual professional development . Members can use the registration confirmation email or PDF ticket as verification.

Visit nscsw.org/pd for more information about the current professional development requirements for Nova Scotian social workers.

Cancellation policy

Eventbrite's processing fees are nonrefundable. Refund requests for the base course fee ($45CAD) will be considered on a case-by-case basis; please note that a full refund may not be possible if course materials have already been mailed to the participant.

Participants may transfer their registration to another NSCSW member at any time before the first seminar session begins.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact the College's Professional Practice Consultant, Naj Siritsky, at nsiritsky@nscsw.org.