Module B: Journey into Family of Origin

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 02/25
Date & Time:	Group 1 & 2: Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec. 4 & 11, 2025 (Thurs.) Group 3: Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26, Dec. 3 & 10, 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:	Ms. Berenice Lee, M. Counselling & Dr. Wynnie Wan, DPsy – Marriage & Family Therapy & Ms. Doris Tai, M. Social Sciences (Counselling)
Language:	Cantonese supplemented with English

INSTRUCTOR

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.

Dr. Wynnie Wan, DPsy – Marriage & Family Therapy

Wynnie was first introduced to Bowen Theory in 2011, initially starting with short-term workshops and gradually building her knowledge bit by bit. In 2016, she began actively promoting Bowen Theory by participating in conferences and seminar groups, and served as a presenter at conference. By 2020, she had completed a two-year professional training program on Bowen Theory. Later, while pursuing her doctoral degree, Wynnie continued to delve into Bowen Theory, applying it as the foundation for family therapy in her clinical practice.

Wynnie is a Certified Counsellor (Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association) and Certified Marriage & Family Therapist (Hong Kong Marriage and Family Therapy Association). She is also a supervisor in Bethel Pastoral Counselling Center since 2020, providing group supervision to a team of counsellors.

Ms. Doris Tai, M. Social Sciences (Counselling)

Ms. Tai has practiced marriage and family therapy since 1999. She has handled cases in the areas of interpersonal relationships, dating, family of origin, marital stress and extra-marital affairs, parenting, grief, emotional distress, work pressure, addiction, and faiths, etc. She has served as the clinical supervisor of a family service center, part-time lecturer at the seminary, and church preacher. and speaks at workshops and conferences. She was graduated M. Social Sciences (Counselling) from The University of Hong Kong. She is Certified Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Supervisor (HKMFT), as well as Certified Professional Counselor and an Associate Fellow (HKPCA). Ms. Tai has received training in various counseling theories, but has mainly studied and adopts Bowen family systems theory as her framework for counseling. Ms. Tai was born and raised in Hong Kong. She later received education and training as well as worked in Taiwan, Canada, the United States, and Australia.

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