Module B: Journey into Family of Origin
This is a small group of 5-6 members. Members will learn to draw their family diagrams, identify the functional facts, relationship patterns, emotional reactivity of themselves and their multigenerational family systems. This workshop provides a “hands-on” experience for participants to apply Bowen theory to understanding their families in an objective and systemic light. Participants will develop new thinking about the functioning of themselves, their family members and their families as a whole, the impact of significant events, and how the families adapt to stresses over the generations. The participants will gain more insight into the strengths, vulnerabilities and resilience of their family system.
This workshop is not a therapy group. but an introduction to learning more about self with the family systems framework. It is a medium for the participants to understand more about how their functioning patterns were shaped, the reciprocal influences of themselves and their families on each other, and to learn new ways of managing themselves.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- To learn to do research on their families.
- To understand the functioning patterns of oneself, and the prominent relationship patterns, themes, and significant events of one’s multigenerational family system.
- To understand the impact of anxiety and reciprocity on self and the multigenerational family system.
- To learn strategies and steps to define self in the multigenerational family system.
COURSE CONTENT
Each session will consist of presentation by 2 to 3 members on their family of origin. Members will learn to conduct research on their families, gather facts, and conceptualize the facts according to the framework of Bowen theory. The instructor will demonstrate by presenting her own family of origin at the first session. The instructor will ask questions and give feedback to the presenters. Members learn from hearing the presentations, the feedback of the instructors and other members, as well as from own self – reflection, and undertaking practical steps for self-change.
COURSE DETAILS
| Course Code: | JF 01/25 |
| Date & Time: | May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4 and 11, 2025 (Wed)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm (6 sessions, 18 hours) |
| Fee: | HKD $4,500 (COF Membership: HKD $4,275) |
| Venue: | Hybrid (Zoom + in-person attendance)
International Social Service Hong Kong Branch, 6/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong |
| Target: | Helping professionals and anyone interersted in personal and family betterment |
| Instructor: | Mrs. Peggy Chan, MEd, RSW |
| Language: | Cantonese supplemented with English |
INSTRUCTOR
Mrs. Peggy Chan B.Soc.Sc., M.Ed., R.S.W
Mrs. Peggy Chan started studying Bowen theory in the early 1990s in Vancouver. She attended the Postgraduate Programme in Bowen Family Systems Theory and Its Applications at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family, Washington DC, U.S.A., from 2008-2013. Peggy continued her study by attending the Bowen Center’s Research Seminar group from 2013 till now. She has been a member of the Bowen Center’s Network Program for the Advancement of Bowen Theory since Nov. 2014. She collaborates with other Bowen theory training centers worldwide to promote better teaching and learning of Bowen theory.
She has presented at conferences and workshops in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, the U.S.A., and Australia. She was the Coordinator of the 2nd International Conference in Bowen Family Systems Theory held in Hong Kong in May 2018. Working closely with non-governmental organizations, she conducts programmes for helping professionals and the public, as well as parents of substance abusers based on Bowen theory.
She is Fellow and Approved Supervisor (Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association), Certified Marriage & Family Therapist and Approved Supervisor (Hong Kong Marriage and Family Therapy Association), and Certified Social Work Specialist (Hong Kong Academy of Social Work)
Ms. Berenice Lee – M. Counselling
Berenice first learned about Bowen family systems theory in her Master of Counselling course in Australia in 2006. She was 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 has now joined ISSHK as an Assistant Director of ISSFI in 2018 and is involved in teaching some of the general courses in Bowen theory for the community.
Berenice is a Certified Counsellor & Associate Fellow of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA). She 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 counselling, parental guidance, personal coaching, psychotherapy for individuals, and workplace dynamics.