1. CHAPTER 9: Transgenerational Theories: Psychodynamic Family Theory and Bowen Family Systems Theory
Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice
6th Edition
Samuel T. Gladding
Developed by Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest University
© (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

2. Overview Psychodynamic Family Therapy Bowen Family System Therapy
Unique Aspects of Psychodynamic and Bowen Approaches to Family Therapy

3. Psychodynamic Family Therapy
Major Theorists
Premises of the Theory
Treatment techniques
Role of the Therapist
Process and Outcome
Defense Mechanisms
Unique Aspects

4. Psychodynamic Family Therapy: Major Theorists
Nathan Ackerman
Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy
James Framo
Theodore Lidz
Norman Paul
Donald Williamson
Robin Skynner
Lyman Wynne

5. Psychodynamic Family Therapy: Premises of the Theory
Based on the classic work of Sigmund Freud
Resolving conflict occurs through two actions:
Strengthening defenses against conflicted wish
Relaxing defenses to permit some gratification
Understanding one’s unconscious by taking into account context
Interlocking pathology

6. Object Relations Theory
Bridge between classical Freudian theory and family therapy
Object: something that is loved, usually a person
Object relations
relationship between two people that includes deep emotional attachments.
Can exist in the outer world or in the unconscious, inner world
Can explain relationships across generations

7. Object Relations Theory
Splitting
Unconscious procedure in which object representations are perceived as all good or all bad
Allows people to control their anxiety and objects by making them predictable
Provides a way for psychodynamic clinicians to explain reasons for marital choices and family interaction patterns
Stresses the value of working with the unconscious

8. Psychodynamic Family Therapy: Treatment Techniques
Transference
Dream and Daydream Analysis
Confrontation
Focusing on Strengths
Life History
Complementarity
Interpretation

9. Psychodynamic Family Therapy: Role of the Therapist
Teacher
Good enough Mother
Catalyst

10. Psychodynamic Family Therapy: Process and Outcome
Free family members of unconscious restrictions
Help family members interact with one another as a whole, on the basis of current realities rather than past, unconscious images
Outcomes
Differentiation of self
Crisis resolution – symptom reduction

11. Defense Mechanisms Repression Denial Regression Projection
Rationalization
Reaction Formation
Displacement

12. Psychodynamic Family Therapy: Comparison with Other Theories
Linearity – focusing on cause-and-effect interactions
Expense and time commitments
Intellectual ability
Empirical research

13. Bowen Family Therapy Major Theorists Premises of the Theory
Treatment techniques
Role of the Therapist
Process and Outcome
Unique Aspects

14. Bowen Family Therapy: Major Theorists
Murray Bowen
Noticed similarities between dysfunctional families and families with members with schizophrenia
Began Georgetown Family Center Symposium
Founded the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)
Michael Kerr

15. Bowen Family Therapy: Premises of the Theory
Chronic anxiety in life that is inherent in life
Anxiety manifests both emotionally and physically
Some are more affected by anxiety than others, depending on how previous generations expressed anxiety
Chronic anxiety negatively affects families

16. Bowen Family Therapy: Basic Concepts
Differentiation of Self
Nuclear family emotional process
Bowen transmission process
Family projection
Triangles
Cutoffs
Sibling position
Emotional process in society

17. Bowen Family Therapy: Treatment Techniques
Genograms
Going Home Again
Detriangulation
Person-to-Person Relationships
Differentiation of Self
Asking Questions

18. Bowen Family Therapy: Role of the Therapist
Differentiated - objective and neutral
Coach and teacher
Co-interpreters with their clients in assessing and working through Bowen patterns of fusion and cuttoffs.

19. Bowen Family Therapy: Process and Outcome
Understand intergenerational patterns and gain insight into historical circumstances that affect interactions
Emphasis of change is with the individual or couple
Most rapid family change occurs when spouses work together in therapy

20. Bowen Family Therapy: Unique Aspects
Calls attention to family history and the importance of noticing and dealing with past patterns
Uses genograms
Systemic in nature, controlled in focus, and cognitive in practice
Can be used with individuals and couples, as well as families