The WPFC distance learning course is designed for those wanting to study Bowen Family Systems Theory without traveling to our Pittsburgh center. We offer two formats: 1) working one-on-one, by phone and e-mail, with a faculty mentor; and 2) working with a small group of distance learners and a faculty facilitator, by conference call and e-mail. Each course of study lasts about eight months, with scheduled monthly phone meetings and interactions centered around suggested readings, application exercises, and written reflections. Distance learners must have access to a phone with long distance service and a computer with word processing and e-mail capabilities. Prospective students will complete an application form that can be requested by contacting the WPFC offices via e-mail info@wpfc.net or by phone 412-362-2295. The fee for the course is $400, payable by check, credit card, or PayPal. For students wishing to enroll concurrently in the one-on-one and small group formats, the fee is $550.
NOTE: At this time, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are not available for this course
The Distance Learning Process
Bowen's theory is ideally learned through a combination of self-directed study, interaction with others studying the theory, and applying the theory in one's own life. Each distance learner is assigned a faculty mentor-whether working one-on-one or in the small group. Learners also receive a workbook with readings and exercises (described below).
Learners working one-on-one with a faculty mentor will first establish a schedule of eight monthly phone meetings, each lasting about an hour. Prior to each meeting, the learner will decide with the faculty mentor which readings and exercises to complete in preparation. The meetings offer opportunities to ask questions about the theory and to share the experiences and challenges of applying the theory to the study of one's self in one's family or other significant workplace or community system. The learner and faculty mentor may also communicate via e-mail between meetings to support the learning process. Learners working one-on-one can start the course at any time.
Learners working in a small group of three or four learners with a faculty mentor/facilitator will first establish a schedule of eight monthly conference call meetings, starting in September or October, each lasting about an hour. Prior to those meetings, learners will decide with the faculty mentor which readings and exercises to complete in preparation, with the meetings offering opportunities to ask questions and share experiences and challenges. Group interaction can greatly enhance the learning of Bowen theory. E-mail communication between meetings may also supplement the learning process. Group learners will start the course in September or October, when there are enough to form a group, and will continue meeting through the following April or May.
Course Content
Bowen Family Systems Theory is a theoretical model that seeks to understand human behavior and functioning as a naturally occurring phenomenon. The theory consists of eight core concepts, which are covered, along with other key ideas, in a special workbook written by WPFC faculty and provided to all distance learners. Following are the topic covered in the workbook:
- Bowen's Quest for a Scientific Understanding of Human Functioning
- Family Systems, Anxiety, and Stress
- Differentiation of Self: Observing the Family and Managing Self in Relationships
- Emotional Triangles
- Nuclear Family Emotional System
- Family Projection and Multigenerational Transmission Processes
- Sibling Position: Its Impact on Personality Development and Social Behavior
- Emotional Cutoff
- Emotional Process in Society
- Spirituality Understood from a Systems Perspective
Each workbook chapter offers suggested readings from the two primary texts (see below), application exercises, and questions designed to help explore Bowen's theory.
Primary & Supplemental Texts
Suggested readings for the course are taken from the following two texts, which can be purchased through any on-line bookseller:
- Bowen, Murray. Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1978.
- Kerr, Michael E. and Murray Bowen. Family Evaluation: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1988.
Distance learners, in addition to receiving the workbook on Bowen theory from WPFC, will also receive free copies of the following supplemental readings:
- Bowen, Murray. "A Psychological Formulation of Schizophrenia." Introduction by Catherine Murphy Rakow. Family Systems, vol. 2, no. 1 (1995): pp. 17-47.
- Carolin, Joseph. (Ed.). The Wisdom of the Ages: A Conference on Bowen Theory and Spirituality. Pittsburgh, PA: Western Pennsylvania Family Center, 1998.
Access to the WPFC Library
All currently enrolled students can temporarily borrow resource materials from the WPFC library -books, audio/video tapes, and DVDs, many of which are unavailable elsewhere. Most materials can be mailed directly to you for the cost of shipping.
Additional Learning Opportunities
All currently enrolled distance learners are invited to attend, at no additional cost, several of the other WPFC offerings, typically held at our Pittsburgh center. These include: the annual WPFC Conference/Symposium, the Lecture Series on Bowen Theory, and the Clinical Forum Series.
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