Practical Tools
“The effort to become a better observer and to learn more about the family reduces the emotional reactivity, and this in turn helps one become a better observer. This is one of the most profitable efforts one can make… It enables the observer to get ‘beyond blaming’ and ‘beyond anger’ to a level of objectivity that is far more than an intellectual exercise.”
(Murray Bowen p. 541 of Family Therapy in Clinical Practice)
My Top Book Recommendations:
- Family Therapy in Clinical Practice
By Murray Bowen, Published by Rowman & Littlefield.
The “Bible” of Bowen Theory. A fascinating journey into his discovery of behavioral patterns in human families. Reminds me of when Darwin landed on the Galapagos Islands. You can buy this book online at:
Buy Family Therapy in Clinical Practice
- Emotional Cutoff: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives
Peter Titelman, ed. 2003. Hayworth Press.
After (and only after) you’ve read the Bowen book, this book is the most time-efficient way I know to make progress quickly. Find out more at Amazon.com:
Buy Emotional Cutoff: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives
- Anger
by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist priest.
An easy read that stands alone. Amazon.com has it at:
Buy Anger
- Family Evaluation: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory
by Dr. Michael Kerr.
This is the best secondary source for understanding Dr. Bowen’s theory. Dr. Kerr worked closely with Dr. Bowen for decades, and offers valuable insight into his research and its applications to our families. Amazon.com has it at:
Buy Family Evaluation: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory
- Bowen Family Systems Theory
by Daniel V. Papero.
A short but dense book by another of Murray Bowen’s closest colleagues. Amazon has it at:
Buy Bowen Family Systems Theory
|
||
 |
||
