Multigenerational Transmission Process: Evolution in Real Time

 

Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, 2026
9:00AM – 4:00 PM (both days)
?? CE’s for PA social workers, LPC’s, LMFT’s and psychologists

Hybrid Format – Available both in person* and online** via Zoom. All registrants will have access to a video recording of the conference. If you’re unable to attend live, you can register to view the recording.

*In-Person Attendees

Conference Venue:

Pittsburgh Foundation Event Space
912 Fort Duquesne Blvd., 10th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

View the Conference Venue on Google Maps

After the program on Friday, all in-person attendees are invited to WPFC’s annual meeting.

**Online Attendees

Online registrants will receive an email with the Zoom link each morning at 7:00AM.  Participants are asked to connect 15 minutes before conference start time, and to familiarize themselves with Zoom technology before the event.

 

---

About WPFC’s  2026 Fall Conference and Symposium

The lead presenter for this conference is Priscilla J Friesen, LICSW.  Ms. Friesen’s professional work is rooted in the relationship nature of physiology and the brain, employing biofeedback and neurofeedback.  She integrates the theory into her work as a clinician and teacher with individuals, couples, families, family enterprise, and businesses – challenging each to function with considered observation.   

In this presentation, Ms. Friesen will focus on the impact of learning about, understanding, and engaging one’s multigenerational family history.  Drawing on Bowen theory, family research, and her own study of Mennonite family and social history, she will consider how families adapt over generations to immigration, persecution, religious upheaval, loss, and other major challenges.

Conference Theme

Dr. Murray Bowen’s concept of the multigenerational transmission process describes how levels of differentiation of self, patterns of anxiety, and ways of adapting to life’s challenges are transmitted from one generation to the next through family relationship systems.  Bowen proposed that the early development of perception occurs in relation to the parental triangle, shapes mate selection, and contributes to the way anxiety and functioning are passed forward in families.  Bowen wrote:

“Levels of differentiation of self are transmitted from generation to generation in a genetic-like pattern which has nothing to do with genetics as genetics is currently defined.” —Bowen, 1978, p. 410

This conference will explore Bowen theory alongside current thinking in epigenetics and stress physiology.  Epigenetic processes involve molecular changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.  These processes may offer a way to think about Bowen’s “genetic-like” description of transmission across generations.

Participants will be invited to consider how family and societal history continue to live in the present, and how greater knowledge of that history may contribute to a more thoughtful, responsible, and adaptive way of living.

Curious to know what you’ll learn at this conference? Visit the Conference Resource page for downloads: [ARTICLE RESOURCE DROPBOX LINK HERE]

---

 

Registration Fees

WPFC offers registration for both live attendance and to view the recording of the conference after the scheduled date. Social Workers, LPCs and LMFTs who register to view the conference recording may receive all credit hours for viewing the recorded conference for a period of 2 years after the conference date, except for psychologists due to APA guidelines.

**Please note: the conference recordings will be available to all registrants for a period of 60 days.

• • • $300 –  Standard Fee (In Person, Online, or Conference Recording only)
    • $130 – Student Fee: Please send a scanned copy of your student ID or other proof of enrollment in a graduate or undergraduate degree program to rebecca@wpfc.net in order to receive a discount code to be used during checkout.
    • $10 – Lunch Ticket (Optional) – While light breakfast fare and snacks will be available throughout the day, attendees have the option to enjoy a full, sit-down lunch provided by the Center. The lunch spread is thoughtfully curated to accommodate a variety of tastes and dietary needs. Given limited nearby dining options, this is an easy way to stay on site, enjoy a good meal, and keep your energy up for the afternoon sessions.

• Financial Assistance

Through the generosity of our donors, some financial aid may be available for those experiencing financial hardship. If you would like to request financial assistance, please send an email to WPFC’s administrator, Rebecca Keller (rebecca@wpfc.net) for more information.

*If you would like to donate to the financial aid fund, please visit our Donate page.

COVID and Other Infectious Diseases

Western PA Family Center asks those who plan to attend the conference in person to follow all state, local, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 safety guidelines. If you are feeling sick on the day of the event, please stay home and switch your attendance to Zoom by sending an email to rebecca@wpfc.net.  Click here to read WPFC’s infectious disease policy.

 

Continuing Education Credits

WPFC Fall Conference – Learning Objectives

Social Work:

CE’s available for Social Workers, LPCs and LMFTs who register to view the recorded conference.  ***The conference recording will be available for viewing and eligible for continuing education credits for a period of 2 years after the conference date.*** Should you choose to view the recording for credits, you are responsible for tracking your viewing progress within the 2 year timeframe. Once you’ve completed the recording in full, you’ll need to verify that with WPFC’s admin, Rebecca Keller (rebecca@wpfc.net) in order to receive the required evaluation. 

LSW/LCSW, LPC and LMFT continuing education credits are $15.00 per person.  

This program is offered for ?? hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education-accredited school and, therefore, a PA pre-approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LPC and LMFT biennial license renewal. For information on social work continuing education call (412) 624-6902.

Please note: Participants requesting Social Work CE’s will receive their credits by email from our co-sponsor approximately 4-6 weeks after the conference takes place. WPFC does not provide participants with their certificate.

Psychology:

?? Psychology continuing education credits will be provided for a fee of $25.00 paid directly to GPPA. All Psychology CE recipients must attend the conference both days, live (either in person or via Zoom) to receive their credits. Psychologists are currently ineligible to receive credits for viewing the conference recording. ***After the program has been completed, recipients will receive a link to submit a training evaluation and submit their CE payment online through GPPA’s website.

 

CONTACT

Conference Registration:  Admin – Rebecca Keller at rebecca@wpfc.net

WPFC Programs:  Faculty Director – Cynthia Larkby, Ph.D. at Cynthia.larkby.phd@icloud.com