Bowen Family Systems therapy assists clients in understanding and improving dynamics and relationships in all of the systems in their life from their family, friends, work and any other dynamic system. Bowen Family Systems therapy looks at understanding individuals in the context of a system (first in their original family and then all other relationships). This therapy explores behaviours and emotional issues in the context of a system and focuses on patterns of relationships in that system.  

Using this process, Jill will help you understand several important concepts:

Differentiation of Self which is the ability of an individual to maintain their values, beliefs and functioning when under pressure.  

Triangles is a situation we often find ourselves in when more than one person is involved or tries to be involved in a relationship and is looking for support for their viewpoint rather than a solution.

Nuclear Family Emotional System is an exploration of how your family or system's emotions and behaviours interact in the system.  It identifies patterns of anxiety and conflict that might be generational.

Family Projection Process highlights the process of parents projecting unresolved emotional issues onto their children, which can impact a child's functioning.

Multigenerational Family Emotional Process allows us to look at how generational emotional processes can be passed down through generations. By understanding these processes we can work to improve functioning.

Emotional Cutoffs is a coping strategy where a family member might distance themselves from individuals or groups in order to manage their anxiety or stress.

The goal of Bowen Family Systems Therapy is to understand the role in your family, work or relationship system and establish more effective strategies for dealing with emotions like anger, anxiety and stress.  These skills allow you to enter relationships from a position of strength, thought and knowledge rather than reactivity or automatic functioning.