與家人聯繫 – 農曆新年的反思
Connecting with family members – Reflections during Chinese New Year

農曆新年可以是與家人歡聚的時光，也常常是我們與一些一年只見一兩次之親戚碰頭的機會。在我們年輕的時候，這可能是一個備受期待的日子，因為會得到紅包。但是隨著我們年齡的增長，尤其是當我們對仍然收到紅包感到尷尬，或者是輪到我們派出紅包時，我們可能會不願意繼續這些探訪或聚會。

我們如何才能充分利用這些寶貴的家庭聚會？家庭聚會，特別是在節日期間，是我們觀察自我和學習成為一個情緒成熟的人的好機會。家庭聚會是促進家庭成員和親屬間的聯繫、增強家庭資源和應變能力的絕佳平臺。然而，在親屬眾多要求和意見中自主得宜殊非易事。當我們參加這些家庭聚會時，我們如何才能保持聯繫而不感到不舒服？

於我們一月份的活動，我們希望開啟一場對話，探討我們如何在這些場合緞練「自我區分」(情緒成熟，情理兼備)，尤其是在家庭關係變得緊張的時候。讓我們分享一些貼士和經驗，以鼓勵彼此保持家庭內的聯繫。

Chinese New Year can be a time of joyful gathering with family members and oftentimes with extended relatives whom we may see only once or twice a year. It might have been a much-looked forward time when we were young because there would be red-packets to be expected. But as we grow older and especially when it becomes too embarrassing to be receiving red-packets still or about time that we have to give them out instead, we may feel reluctant to keep up with these visits.
How can we make the best out of these valuable family gatherings? Family gatherings especially during festivals are great occasions for us to observe self and learn to be a more emotionally mature person. They are great platforms for enhancing connection with family members and kinsmen, and strengthening family resourcefulness and resilience. Yet, managing oneself in the midst of the many demands and needs of family members and relatives can be daunting. How can we maintain our connections yet not feel uncomfortable when we come to these family gatherings?
For our January event, we hope to open a conversation to explore how we can practice our differentiation of self (similar to emotional maturity) at such times especially when family relationships become tense. Let us share some tips and experience where we can encourage one another to keep the connection fluid within the family.

短講及主持 BRIEF TALK & FACILITATION

Ms. Berenice Lee     M. Counselling

李恩意女士 – 輔導碩士

李恩意女士於2006年在澳洲修讀輔導碩士課程，並首次認識｢博域家庭系統理論｣。 2010年至今，李女士一直積極參與國際社家庭學院舉辦的各類課程、工作坊和大型會議。她亦為國際社家庭學院之友策劃小組成員，在策劃小組成立之初已協助舉辦｢學院之友｣活動，並協助舉行博域理論會議等。

李女士為法律學士(榮譽)、英國語言及文學學士、美國文學及文化碩士、和輔導碩士。她專長於婚姻與家庭關係輔導、親職教育、個人輔導與心理治療、和職場輔導。李女士於香港私人執業，她運用｢博域理論｣作為輔導工作的主要架構，因為只要有一人了解相互作用的影響，就可令整個家庭與工作單位產生重要的改變。

李女士於新加坡、香港、英國和澳洲居住多年，她曾見證此理論在不同文化、不同環境下均能派上用場。她一直熱心傳揚｢博域理論｣的知識，並藉此促進社會大眾關係與精神上的健康。

Berenice first learned about Bowen family systems theory in her Master of Counselling course in Australia in 2006. She has been an active participant in various courses, workshops and conferences with ISSFI since 2010. She is a member of the ISSFI Circle of Friends (COF) Think Tank right from the start and has helped to organize programs for the Circle of Friends and Bowen Theory Conferences in many ways.

Berenice holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts in American Literature and Culture and Master of Counselling. She specializes in marital and family relationship counseling, parental guidance, personal coaching, psychotherapy for individuals, and workplace dynamics. She has a private practice in Hong Kong and uses Bowen theory as her framework that a person’s understanding of the effects of reciprocity will bring about a significant change for one’s whole family and the workplace.