Elevator Systems - Bowen Family Systems Theory

Today’s episode explores the application of Bowen family systems theory in understanding mental health. Dr. Sam Stokesberry is our guest looking at the role of the counsellor in navigating their own emotional processes while supporting clients and differentiation of self in therapy. The discussion highlights a nuanced understanding of mental health that considers the interplay of individual and systemic factors.Samantha Stokesberry, PhD, LPC, NCC is a licensed professional counsellor, consultant, and speaker. Her professional path was shaped by four years living in South Africa, where playing professional soccer and coaching at a futsal academy led her into nonprofit work and her first real world exposure to the human trafficking industry. Today, she provides counselling to individuals and families in Texas and offers consultation and training services internationally. Sam specializes in working with trafficking survivors and their families, as well as families impacted by incest, sexual abuse, and chronic anxiety. Sam has trained at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and her doctoral research, which will be published this upcoming year, examines the relationships between differentiation of self, family unit functioning, and post-traumatic growth in adult female survivors of trafficking in the United States.Resources:Dr Sam Stokesberry’s practice Dr Michael Kerr - Bowen Theory’s SecretsDr Jenny Brown - Worry Cycle Podcast EpisodeKathleen Kerr - (1999). The Projection Process in Health Care Systems. Family Systems, 5(1).Stephanie Ferrera - (1999) What is help: a theoretical and personal perspective. Family Systems, 5(1).Stephanie Ferrera - The evolution of helping: from altruism to empathy to differentiation of self. In P. Titelman (Ed.) Differentiation of Self: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives. Want to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes will be released every two weeks starting Tuesday March 3rd.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Polarization #Differences #Trauma #HumanTrafficking #Abuse #Recovery #MentalHealth #Relationships #DifferentiationOfSelf #DifferentiationDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.

Dr. Barbara Laymon, family systems consultant, writer, and researcher, explores polarization through the lens of individuality versus togetherness. She uses examples from families, prairie dogs, COVID-19, and the Olympics. Short, practical conversations cover maturity, decision-making under stress, cooperation versus competition, and keeping the goal of balanced relationships in mind.

Welcome to the Season 4 kickoff of Elevator Systems! In this episode, Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White share a sneak peek into the themes and topics being explored this season: the tough conversations and topics we often avoid! Join us as we dive into what makes a topic ‘hot’, how to engage more thoughtfully, and how Bowen family systems theory is helpful when tensions rise. Whether you're familiar with Bowen theory or new to these ideas, this season promises lots of ideas and engaging discussion on managing differences in relationships. Dixie Vandersluys is a Canadian Certified Counsellor based in Manitoba, Canada. She has undergraduate degrees in history and philosophy and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Providence Theological Seminary.  Dixie enjoys seeing clients across Canada in her private practice. Dixie is also a faculty member at Living Systems and the creator and host of the Elevator Systems podcast.  Katie White is a Marriage and Family Therapist registered in the US and Canada.  She has been working with individuals, couples and families in schools, clinics, and non-profit centres for twenty years in the US, Australia and Canada. In 2010, Katie began focusing her practice using Bowen family systems theory and has attended the Post-Graduate Program at the Bowen Center.  Katie is currently the Executive Director of Living Systems in Vancouver Canada. Katie teaches and supervises interns there, as well as managing a private practice.Season 4 episodes will be released every two weeks starting Tuesday March 3rd. Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Resources:Living Systems Counselling and TrainingElevator Systems at the Bowen Center Professional Lecture SeriesSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Polarization #Differences #HotTopics #Communication #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.

Monica McGoldrick, Director of the Multicultural Family Institute and a leading voice in family therapy, shares her insights into the family life cycle. She discusses how individual lives intersect with family histories, using genograms as powerful tools to reveal relationship dynamics. Monica emphasizes the importance of considering both ancestors and future descendants in therapy, illuminating how our actions echo through generations. She also explores changing life phases, the challenges of poverty and caregiving, and her memories of the esteemed Murray Bowen.

Priscilla Friesen, a seasoned family consultant and Bowen theory expert, shares her insights on navigating death through a family systems lens. She discusses how the dynamics of grief shift family roles and highlight the importance of open relationships in managing loss. Her perspective on emotional flexibility during grief encourages families to focus on practical solutions rather than solely on feelings. Additionally, Priscilla elaborates on how generational patterns of anxiety and loss can ripple through family systems, influencing behaviors and relationships.

Selden Dunbar Illick, a longtime scholar of Bowen family systems theory and founder of the Princeton Family Center for Education, shares her insights on aging. She discusses how emotional connections influence aging and the balance of support within families. Illick explores concepts like emotional cutoff and differentiation, illustrating them through personal and cultural examples. She emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and engaging in open conversations about end-of-life preferences, advocating for intergenerational connection to improve family dynamics.

Lisa Moss, a licensed clinical social worker and faculty at the Center for Family Consultation, dives into family rifts through the lens of Bowen family systems theory. She discusses the concept of 'cutoff', explaining how it can relieve tension but may have lasting effects on relationships. The conversation explores the emotional cost of maintaining distance and the impact of unchecked family dynamics. Lisa also highlights the importance of self-differentiation and managing one’s emotional energy within family contexts, offering TV show examples that illustrate these concepts.

Kathleen Kerr, a clinical nurse specialist and Bowen Theory expert, delves into the complexities of retirement as a systems event rather than just an individual transition. She shares insights on the impact of family history and societal trends on retirement expectations. The discussion also touches on common assumptions between spouses, the importance of differentiation of self, and leadership succession in families and organizations, illustrated through examples from the TV show 'Succession'. Kathleen encourages thoughtful planning to navigate these significant changes.

Join Amie Post, a marriage and family therapist and executive director at the Center for Family Systems Theory, as she shares her insights on grandparenting from a Bowen family systems perspective. Amie discusses the importance of recognizing multi-generational patterns in family relationships. She highlights how to approach grandparenting intentionally, utilizing exercises like the 'beliefs paper' to address automatic expectations. With examples from films like Minari and Moana, she reflects on the guiding role grandparents can play while maintaining healthy boundaries.

Join John Bell, an ordained United Methodist pastor with 30 years of experience applying Bowen family systems theory, as he delves into the complexities of the empty nest stage. He discusses how relationships evolve as children gain independence and how transitions like divorce or retirement can reshape family dynamics. John emphasizes open communication, explores the 'family cellular plan' for promoting adult children's independence, and offers insights on redefining spousal connections and managing assumptions in this new phase of life.