Bowenian Multigenerational Therapy (also called Bowen Theory or Bowen Family Systems Therapy) is a form of family therapy developed by psychiatrist Murray Bowen. It focuses on the patterns and emotional functioning of families across multiple generations, rather than just looking at individual problems in isolation.
Core Concepts of Bowenian Multigenerational Therapy
Differentiation of Self
This refers to your ability to separate your thoughts from your feelings, and to maintain your own identity while still staying emotionally connected to your family.
Low differentiation can lead to people being emotionally reactive or overly influenced by others.
Triangulation
When two people in a relationship experience tension, they may "pull in" a third person (or issue) to relieve anxiety. This is called a triangle. It's common in families and can create chronic conflict or avoidance.
Family Projection Process
Parents may project their emotional issues onto their children, unintentionally passing along anxiety or dysfunctional patterns.
Multigenerational Transmission Process
Patterns of behavior, coping, and emotional functioning are passed down through generations. You may be unconsciously repeating these patterns in your own life.
Emotional Cutoff
People often cope with unresolved family tension by cutting off emotionally or physically. But this doesn’t resolve the core issues—it just hides them.
Sibling Position
Birth order and sibling roles can influence personality and family dynamics, based on predictable patterns.
Societal Emotional Process
Broader social forces also affect family functioning (e.g., cultural, economic, and political stressors).
How It Can Help You
Bowenian therapy is especially helpful if you're struggling with:
- Family conflict or estrangement
- Anxiety or depression rooted in family dynamics
- Relationship difficulties
- Parenting issues
- Repeating unhealthy patterns in relationships or life decisions
It can help you:
- Understand how your family history affects your current behavior and relationships
- Reduce emotional reactivity
- Improve communication and boundary-setting
- Develop greater emotional independence (differentiation)
- Heal from generational trauma or dysfunction without necessarily involving all family members in therapy
What to Expect in Therapy
- You may work with a genogram (a kind of family tree with emotional and relational data) to trace patterns over generations.
- The therapist encourages self-reflection and emotional awareness rather than blaming or fixing others.
- You don’t need your whole family in therapy—individuals can benefit by exploring their own family system and emotional responses.