The Learning Space Blog

Differentiation of Self: Past and Present

What has been the difficulty of incorporating the ideas from biofeedback and neurofeedback into Bowen's concept of differentiation of self? To address this question, Priscilla Friesen stepped back to look at the history of the development of the idea of differentiation of self beginning at Menninger then NIMH. Before the present technological access to other levels of the systems of physiology and ...   Read More

Filed under Bowen family systems theory, Neurofeedback, Brain and physiology

Acknowledging 100 years since Murray Bowen was born

I have been working on my book Create Your Mindful Compass:Navigating through the Social Jungle, for the past several years. This is a peek into the book which starts as it should with gratitude: I am deeply grateful to Murray Bowen. He believed in me when I was struggling, gave me a hand up, accepted me into postgraduate training at the Georgetown Family Center despite my having only two years of ...   Read More

Filed under Bowen family systems theory, Family

Managing Self and Life Events

In this Family Matters interview, Priscilla Friesen discusses how life events can promote or constrain a family's flexibilty and resiliency in navigating these events. (28 ...   Read More

Filed under Family, Brain and physiology, Video

Concerns with Children

In this Family Matters interview, Priscilla Friesen highlights a family systems perspective when children are the focus of parental concern. (28 mins.) Family Matters is a joint production of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and the University of the District of Columbia.   Read More

Filed under Bowen family systems theory, Brain and physiology, Video

Integrating Intuition with Deep Thinking

A major concept in this systems theory is developed around the notion of fusion between the emotions and the intellect. The degree of fusion in people is variable and discernible. The greater the fusion, the more life is governed by automatic emotional forces that operate despite man’s intellectual verbalization to the contrary. The greater the fusion between the emotions and the intellect, the ...   Read More

Family Process in Mass Killings

I was in the middle of writing a blog about a Canadian PBS radio show hosted by Genevieve Chornenki, “When Families Start Talking”, that I took part in, which aired on December 12th .  The show dealt with family loss and the usefulness of families talking more openly. The next day my cousin's 31-year-old nephew committed suicide.  The following day, December 14th, there was a mass murder of ...   Read More

What Does it Take to be a Self in Any Social System

Just as no one ant can build an ant colony, no one person can create for him or herself all that is needed for survival. We are dependent on the work of others for our food, water, clothes, education and protection, among other things. By cooperating we benefit. Therefore the pressure to fit in and cooperate is enormous and can intrude on our equally deep urges to become our unique selves. Murray ...   Read More

Muses: Reflections on Affairs

AFFAIRS…..Sometimes people need the fantasy life to keep the real life going. Is this bad? Perhaps that’s not the right word. Complicated? Yes. Especially if you don't know this is what you are doing. If you 'fall' for the fantasy life as if it's real, you have fallen in to a place that is very difficult if not bordering on impossible to recover from. I wonder if those who keep the fantasy ...   Read More

The Influence of Dr. Bowen: An Interview with Roberta Gilbert, MD

One question of historical importance is how Dr. Bowen managed himself to influence people to be able to think differently about what is a family emotional system and how do we participate in them? I have published a few of a series of interviews with those who were influenced by Dr.Bowen. This newest interview is with Roberta Gilbert, M.D. I asked her to reflect on how her relationship with Dr. ...   Read More

Filed under Bowen family systems theory

The Brain on Conflict

It was a sunny morning in April as I joined the American Bar Association’s annual conference at the Hyatt in DC. I was there to present with my colleagues Richard Alper and Jack Wofford, both are lawyers but more importantly, both are mediators. While trained in the traditions of the law, they each sought out the added skills to assist their clients reach settlements in ways to reduce conflict and ...   Read More