Bowen's multigenerational model goes beyond the view that the past influences the present, to the view that patterns of relating in the past continue in the present family system (Herz Brown, 1991).

Hence the therapist uses questions to encourage clients to think about the connection between their present problem and the ways previous generations have dealt with similar relationship issues.  For example, if the onset of a symptom followed a death in the family, the therapist asks about how grief has been dealt with in previous generations.

Questions seek to uncover family belief systems as well as the way relationships have shifted in response to loss.  Tracking symptoms and exploring related themes over at least three generations makes it more difficult for individuals to blame one another for individual deficiencies.

As therapist and family members see how patterns repeat over generations, it is possible to identify the 'automatic' reactions of family members towards each other: The ability to act on the basis of more awareness of relationship process (not blaming self or others, but seeing the part each plays) can, if done repeatedly in important relationships, lead to some reduction in emotional reactivity and chronic anxiety (Kerr and Bowen, 1988: 132).