59th Symposium on Family Theory and Family Psychotherapy - Saturday Afternoon

Includes the following presentations:

The Dance of Life: What Bowen Theory Contributes Toward Understanding Evolution - Victoria Harrison, MA, LMFT

This presentation will summarize what concepts in Bowen theory contribute toward understanding evolution and the human as part of evolution. It will include a discussion of what the future of human evolution may involve for adaptation and survival of life.

In Defense of Togetherness - Anthony J. Wilgus, MA, MSW

Humans out cooperate all other mammals, an instinctual capacity yielding both evolutionary advantages and potential costs. It IS possible to think for self and cooperate efficiently, perhaps a trait unique to homo sapiens. Responsible togetherness while aspirational is attainable.

Discussion

Assessing Congregations: A Bowen Family Systems Theory Approach - Barbara Laymon, PhD

To what extent do congregations act like families? More specifically, does the Systems Model for Family Assessment (SMFA, Papero 2018) apply to congregations? To explore these questions, the presenter proposed a Systems Model for Congregational Assessment, designing a survey to test the model and develop a Family Systems Scale for Congregations. In her presentation, Dr. Laymon will discuss the questionnaire development and findings from the survey.

Family Reaction to a Process of Death Foretold - Alejandro Astorga A.

In this presentation, the author will report on the effects that the announcement of the impending death of his father from a cancer diagnosis generated in his multigenerational family system. The reaction and initial effects on his nuclear family and family of origin will be addressed. From the perspective of Bowen theory, the author will reflect on the implications of this process for himself as well as for his siblings.

Discussion