Family Counseling Approach Research

Full Answer Section

(Cover Page)

• Title of the Paper
• Your Name
• Course Name
• Instructor's Name
• Date

(Abstract)

• A concise summary (typically 150-250 words) of the paper, including the purpose, chosen theory (Bowen Family Systems Therapy), key topics covered, and main conclusions.

(Body - Part I: Bowen's Family Systems Therapy Model)

• Introduction:

  • Start with a broad statement about the importance of family counseling theories.
  • Introduce Bowen's Family Systems Therapy as a significant and influential model.
  • Clearly state your thesis statement, which should articulate the main focus of your paper on Bowen's model and what you intend to explore (e.g., its core principles, techniques, and relevance in contemporary family counseling).

• Leading Figures: (APA Level 1 Heading)

  • Focus primarily on Murray Bowen as the principal founder and developer of the theory. ¹  
    1. Family Systems Theory in Counseling: Key Techniques - Oklahoma City University

    

    online.okcu.edu
  • Discuss his background, key influences (e.g., his work with families at the Menninger Clinic and the National Institute of Mental Health), and his central contributions to the field.
  • Mention any significant individuals who further developed or expanded upon Bowen's original ideas (if relevant and supported by your research).

• Development of the Theory/Historical Events: (APA Level 1 Heading)

  • Trace the historical development of Bowen's theory, starting from his early clinical observations and research.
  • Discuss the key periods or stages in the theory's evolution.
  • Highlight any significant historical events, social changes, or intellectual shifts that influenced the development of Bowen's model.
  • Explain how Bowen's ideas differentiated themselves from earlier approaches to family therapy (e.g., focusing on systemic patterns rather than individual pathology).

• Basic Assumptions and Key Philosophy: (APA Level 1 Heading)

  • Clearly outline the fundamental assumptions that underpin Bowen's Family Systems Theory. These often include:
    • The family as an emotional unit.
    • The concept of differentiation of self.
    • The influence of multigenerational patterns.
    • The role of anxiety in family dynamics.
  • Explain the key philosophical underpinnings of the model, such as the emphasis on understanding systemic processes, promoting individual growth through differentiation, and the belief that change in one family member can lead to changes in the entire system.

• Key Concepts: (APA Level 1 Heading)

  • Thoroughly describe the core concepts of Bowen's theory. These are crucial for understanding the model and should be explained in detail with supporting references. Examples include:
    • Differentiation of Self: Explain the continuum from fusion to high differentiation and its implications for individual and relational functioning.
    • Triangles: Describe the three-person emotional configuration and how it functions to manage anxiety.
    • Nuclear Family Emotional Process: Discuss the patterns of emotional functioning within a couple and how they impact children.
    • Family Projection Process: Explain how parental undifferentiation can be projected onto children.
    • Multigenerational Transmission Process: Describe how patterns of emotional functioning are passed down across generations.
    • Sibling Position: Discuss Bowen's ideas about how birth order can influence personality and family roles.
    • Societal Emotional Process: Briefly touch upon how societal anxiety can influence family systems.

• Techniques: (APA Level 1 Heading)

  • Describe the primary techniques used in Bowenian therapy. These often focus on understanding family patterns and promoting differentiation. Examples include:
    • Genograms: Explain how genograms are constructed and used to visualize family history and multigenerational patterns.
    • Process Questions: Describe the use of questions designed to help individuals think about processes rather than react emotionally.
    • Detriangling: Explain the process of helping individuals remove themselves from emotional triangles.
    • Differentiation-Focused Interventions: Discuss strategies aimed at helping individuals increase their level of differentiation of self.
    • Going Home Visits: Explain the therapeutic use of revisiting one's family of origin to understand multigenerational patterns.
    • The "I-Position": Describe the importance of expressing one's own thoughts and feelings without blaming others.

• Similarities and Dissimilarities: (APA Level 1 Heading)

  • Similarities: Identify two significant similarities between Bowen's Family Systems Therapy and other leading family therapy models (you can choose from the list provided in the instructions). For each similarity, briefly explain the shared concept or approach and provide supporting references for both Bowen's theory and the comparison model. Examples of similarities might include a focus on systemic patterns (shared with Structural Family Therapy) or the importance of understanding relational dynamics (shared with Emotionally Focused Therapy).
  • Dissimilarities: Identify two key dissimilarities between Bowen's Family Systems Therapy and other leading family therapy models. For each dissimilarity, clearly explain how Bowen's approach differs in its core assumptions, key concepts, or techniques compared to the other model. For example, a dissimilarity might be Bowen's emphasis on intellectual understanding of family patterns versus the experiential focus of Symbolic-Experiential Therapy, or Bowen's focus on differentiation versus the problem-solving orientation of Strategic Family Therapy. Again, provide supporting references for both theories.

• New Knowledge Acquired: (APA Level 1 Heading)

  • Reflect on your learning process and identify two specific pieces of information or insights that you gained from completing this assignment about Bowen's Family Systems Therapy. These should be more than just restating basic concepts; they should demonstrate a deeper understanding or a new perspective you've developed. For example, you might discuss a newfound appreciation for the multigenerational perspective or a clearer understanding of the challenges of achieving differentiation in highly fused families.

(Body - Part II: Personal Integration)

• (APA Level 1 Heading - Example: Integrating Bowenian Principles with a Christian Perspective on Family) (You will determine the most appropriate heading based on your faith/worldview)
  • In this section, shift to the first person and explore how your personal faith (or other worldview) intersects with Bowen's Family Systems Therapy.
  • Discuss areas of congruence between the theory's principles and your faith/worldview. For example, if you are Christian, you might discuss how the concept of individual responsibility and growth through differentiation aligns with biblical principles of personal sanctification and maturity. You could also explore how understanding systemic family patterns relates to the concept of generational blessings or curses.
  • Address any potential areas of tension or conflict between Bowen's theory and your faith/worldview. For instance, you might discuss how Bowen's emphasis on naturalistic explanations of family dynamics might interact with a faith-based understanding of spiritual influences on family life.
  • Discuss how your faith/worldview might inform or enhance your application of Bowenian concepts and techniques in counseling. For example, a Christian counselor might integrate prayer or spiritual disciplines into the process of promoting differentiation or navigating family conflict.
  • Feel free to use additional resources on integration or materials that have been personally beneficial in exploring this connection.

(Body - Part III: SYMBIS Assessment Analysis)

• Integrate your responses to the SYMBIS Assessment questions within the main body of your paper, likely towards the end of Part II or as a separate section within the 10-page limit. Use clear headings or subheadings to delineate your answers to each question.

  1. Marriage Mindset: Describe your agreement or disagreement with the assessment's depiction on page 3 and provide specific reasons for your perspective, referencing aspects of the report if helpful.
  2. Five Issues in Real Relationships: For each of the five issues (love, attitude, communication, gender differences, and conflict), identify your greatest insight gained from pages 10-14 of your SYMBIS Report, linking it to your specific personality profile as described in the report.
  3. Walking Together with God: Based on page 15, identify three specific actions you plan to take to ensure your current/eventual marriage is God-honoring.
  4. Theory and Spiritual Integration: Analyze how you see the SYMBIS Assessment as an effective tool in light of your chosen family systems theoretical approach (Bowen) and your spiritual/faith integration discussed in Part II. Consider how the assessment's insights might align with Bowenian concepts (e.g., understanding differentiation in relationships, identifying potential for triangulation) and how it might be viewed through the lens of your faith (e.g., assessing spiritual compatibility, identifying areas for growth based on faith values).

(Reference Page(s))

• Start on a new page after the body of your paper.
• Use the heading "References" (APA Level 1, centered).
• List all sources cited in the body of your paper (minimum 10 for Part I) in current APA format.
• Ensure that your references are primarily scholarly (books and peer-reviewed journal articles less than 10 years old).
• Include any additional resources used for Part II and Part III (integration and SYMBIS).

Key Reminders:

• Current APA Format: Pay close attention to all aspects of APA formatting, including headings, citations (in-text and reference list), margins, font, and spacing. Consult the official APA Publication Manual (7th edition) or reliable online APA style guides.
• Scholarly Sources: Ensure that the majority of your references for Part I are scholarly. Evaluate your sources carefully to determine if they are written for a scholarly audience and based on research or established theory.
• Page Length: Adhere to the minimum page requirements for each part of the paper.
• Originality: Be mindful of the originality report limit and ensure that your work is your own and properly cited.

By following this detailed guidance and conducting thorough research, you should be well-equipped to write a comprehensive and insightful research paper on Bowen's Family Systems Therapy, integrating your personal faith and analyzing the SYMBIS Assessment within that framework. Good luck!

Sample Answer

Paper Structure:

• Cover Page: (Following current APA format)
• Abstract: (Brief summary of the paper)
• Body: (Approximately 10 pages, divided into three parts with specific headings)
  • Part I: (Minimum 6 pages)
    • Introduction (with thesis statement)
    • Leading Figures
    • Development of the Theory/Historical Events
    • Basic Assumptions and Key Philosophy
    • Key Concepts
    • Techniques
    • Similarities and Dissimilarities
    • New Knowledge Acquired
  • Part II: (Minimum 2 pages)
    • (APA Level 1 Heading related to your chosen theory and faith integration - you will determine this)
    • (Further subheadings as needed for your personal integration)
  • Part III: (Integrated within the 10-page body)
    • SYMBIS Assessment Analysis (with specific questions answered)
• Reference Page(s): (Following current APA format, minimum 10 sources for Part I)

Detailed Guidance for Each Part:

Part I: Bowen's Family Systems Therapy Model