Couple Counselling – the Family Systems Approach

Bowen theory stipulates that effective relationships involve developing a solid sense of self, getting the focus off of our partner and onto myself, and managing the emotional intensity between us. Instead of seeing marital problems as stemming from individual psychopathology, and therapy as helping the partners to satisfy each other’s needs, Bowen theory provides a systemic framework for understanding marital problems, and to manage the clinical relationships with the couple and their family systems.

This course aims to facilitate the application of the Bowen Family Systems theory to working with couples.

COURSE CONTENT:

• What is a good marriage?
• Marriage and the family emotional system.
• A new way of caring – The counselling relationship in Bowen theory
• Assessment of the couple functioning – Defining the emotional process in the marriage, how anxiety and stress influence the emotional process in the marriage and the interlocking triangles.
• Goals for the counselling process
• Addressing the triangles in couple counselling
• Defining a self in the marriage and the extended family
• The counselling process

COURSE DETAILS:

FEEDBACK OF PARTICIPANTS

課程內容實用，絕對是一個非常有用的框架，對處理家長工作、夫婦關係非常有幫助！ Peggy 亦是一位非常有心的導師！
坦白說，我有少少愛上了「Bowen Theory」，令我在工作上有很大的反思及得著！
– Christy Leung, Social Worker, Hong Kong.

Great to re-visit the concepts of Bowen Theory specifically in the context of marriage. The course further deepens my understanding in providing interventions in enhancing the I- position, regulating emotional reactivity in relationships and rethinking about therapeutic relationships.
Peggy is enthusiastic about teaching at all times. The course is v inspiring as usual.
– Elsa Lau, Specialist Trauma Counsellor, Australia.

Bowen theory teaches us to take an active stance in relationships, instead of  blaming the other person or feeling like a victim.

Feel free to write to issfi@isshk.org any time to inform us of your interest in this course even when there is no date set for the class yet. We can form a class any time when there are at least 6 interested persons for the course.