The Training and Consultation Seminar in Bowen Theory is for postgraduates seeking expertise in Bowen family systems theory. The seminar is structured to guide and facilitate learning the Bowen theory and its application in practice. The seminar meets from 9:30 to 4:30 in Sebastopol, California, on the second Friday of the month beginning in September and ending in June, skipping December and April, for a total of eight seminar days. The program is open to new applicants for the 2012 to 2013 academic year.
The training and consultation seminar is led by family psychologist and Programs in Bowen Theory founder, Laura Havstad, in her Sebastopol practice. The seminar is modeled on the teaching methods Bowen devised based on the principles of differentiation of self and knowledge of emotional systems. The result is a stimulating, open, and respectful process of learning.
The training seminar emphasizes application of theory in participants’ families and at work. Each meeting trainees report their efforts to apply theory in their practices, families, and work systems. Feedback and coaching assists participants in learning to “think systems” in the midst of pressures of the emotional system, and to help others do the same. The didactic portions of the seminar include video lectures, interviews and clinical sessions with Murray Bowen and other experts in Bowen theory. An outline of topics for the current year is available at this online link: TRAINING AND CONSULTATION SEMINAR IN BOWEN FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY AND ITS APPLICATIONS. The course outline for 2012-2013 should be essentially the same.
Over the years, this seminar in Bowen theory has been scheduled the same weekend as the two conferences sponsored by Programs in Bowen Theory. These conferences, now held in the fall and spring, feature leaders in the field who bring principles of theory together with application and the state of the science behind it. At conference time, guest faculty participate in the seminar when possible, as Bowen Center director and senior faculty Dan Papero, has done every year. For the October 12, 2012 seminar, Dr. Anne McKnight, Director of the Bowen Center in Washington DC will participate.
Fees are $875 for the 2012-2013 training seminar series. Continuing Education units for MFTs and LCSWs are available for an extra fee of $50 for 48 hours of credit.
To participate in the seminar there is an application and an interview in person or by phone. Upon acceptance and enrollment an deposit of $150 is due to hold a place in the seminar. Participants are selected based on being in practice in good professional standing, some understanding of Bowen theory, and most importantly, motivation and interest.
For more information and to apply, contact Laura Havstad, PhD at (707) 823-1848 phone/fax, or lhavstad@sonic.net.
