Hi Rebecca, I use the book Extraordinary Relationships by Roberta Gilbert. Other classic texts I recommend are Bowen Family Systems Theory by Daniel Papero and Family Evaluation by Kerr & Bowen. There is a very approachable, self-help book based in Bowen's theory as well called Everything Isn't Terrible by Kathleen Smith.

@@ericae.hartwell9642 Terrific, Thank you for your response. I’ve taken note of them and am looking forward to getting myself a copy of each. Thank you so much! Happy Holidays to you.

Tell your mother I like her, too! I have used the Winchester family in a lot of examples in my teaching. They have such a rich mythology behind them and such clear intergenerational patterns. I'm glad you found the lecture helpful. :)

That's too funny! But also makes sense because it is a great show for thinking about family dynamics and intergenerational patterns.

Hi Jessica, I think that CBT techniques could be used to make changes based on a Bowen theory. For example, if you are able to identify some patterns you are stuck in in your relationship, or the common reactions you have when feeling threatened or stressed, you could use CBT techniques to practice changing those specific thoughts and behaviors.

Erica E. Hartwell thanks that's really helpful. Do you think that Bowen theory can be worked on by one's self or it would better with a therapist?

I think all of us can certainly grow on our own using various methods (e.g., reading, attending workshops/seminars, journaling, talking with trusted others, etc.) but I also think that if you really want to work on yourself, it always helps to have a professional to support you through that process.

Erica E. Hartwell Thank you

Hi Kate! Thank you for your comment and question. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Often, people think of cut-off and fusion as opposites because they think of cut-off as distance and fusion as closeness. From my perspective, fusion is about emotional reactivity--when people are fused to each other, they cannot separate their own emotions from others. If a relationship is so reactive that you need to completely separate (say, by moving away or not talking anymore), then that is a fused relationship. "Closeness" is about how connected people are to each other, fusion is about how reactive you are to each other. Cutting off is an emotional reaction. Hope this helps!

Hi Kate, sorry for the late reply but I hope it will still be helpful for you. I think of cut-off as a form of fusion because each person in a cut-off relationship is often still very reactive to the other, even if they don't have any form of direct interaction. Often, the fact that someone has to avoid all contact with another is a sign that it is an emotionally reactive, fused relationship. If we are not reactive to another person, we do not need to cut off from them. This is not mean to pathologize all forms of cut-off and I recognize that cut-off is sometimes necessary for safety.