Certificate in Family Systems Theory and Practice
For those who are committed to taking their knowledge and application of Family Systems Theory to a deeper level we offer an integrated, guided program in the theory and practice of Bowen Family Systems Theory.
Eligibility
Participants may come from a variety of behavioural science backgrounds and work settings. This is not a course to equip someone to enter the counselling field but to assist people to develop a breadth of understanding of Bowen Family Systems Theory.
To be accepted into this program, applicants must have participated in sufficient professional development in Bowen Family Systems Theory to have a basic understanding of the model. A short written statement of learning goals, which outlines what applications of theory the applicant is most interest to explore needs to be submitted with the application.
Why Join the Certificate Program?
A flexible and comprehensive learning program structure to build a foundational expertise in Family Systems Theory and application;
Research, theory and application papers for reading and discussion groups;
Opportunities to network and collaborate in small groups with others who are committed to Family Systems learning;
Access to resources only available to Certificate Program participants eg. you are able to view DVDs and photocopy from the FSI library;
Option to meet with conference presenters and view clinical tapes of Murray Bowen;
Faculty support to reach your learning goals. Costs
The annual enrolment fee for the Certificate Program is as follows:
$770 for 12 months (incl. GST).
$440 for 6 months (incl. GST). Annual Registration Includes
Personal planning meeting (1 hour);
Quarterly video/DVD reviews (8 hours);
3 half days of application presentation (12 hours);
Faculty feedback on presentations. Exclusive Groups
Monthly groups to discuss an aspect of theory and ways to apply it.
Theory and Discussion groups are the core part of the certificate program. They meet each month for an hour and a half throughout most of the year. 6 modules of 3 meetings each must be completed over the course of the program.
The aim of these groups is to develop and/or deepen understanding of a particular aspect of Bowen's theory and of ways to apply it.
Pre reading (usually two articles) is issued at least two weeks prior to each session. A faculty member will give input where required and facilitate discussion about the meaning and application of the theoretical concept. Aspects of the discussion will include: discussion of article content; clarification of theoretical concepts; focus on the application of concepts for understanding systems dilemmas; focus on application of concepts for defining self more clearly in important relationships and relevant critique.
At each meeting participants will be asked to share their thinking and questions pertaining firstly, to the ways in which the articles extend or clarify theory and secondly, the aspects of their life / work in which the theoretical concepts may have been demonstrated. At the end of each module a worksheet is submitted.
Each module will focus on one of the theoretical concepts that make up The Bowen Family Systems Theory. Each module will comprise 3 meetings over 3 consecutive months. Each year there will be 3 modules. Meetings run for 1.5 hours. Participants are required to make a commitment to attending a minimum of one complete module (one topic over 3 sessions). If participants wish to continue their participation into the next module, we require enrolment and payment one month prior to the commencement of the next module. This would guarantee a place.
Please note: These are closed group where participants commit to attending the whole module.
Module 1 : | The Emotional System |
Module 2 : | Chronic Anxiety |
Module 3 : | Triangles |
Module 4 : | Nuclear Family Emotional Process & Sibling Position |
Module 5 : | Differentiation of Self |
Module 6 : | Multigenerational Emotional Process & Family Projection |
Minimum requirements for graduating
You may take up to 5 years and a minimum of 2 years to complete the Certificate. There are minimum requirements per annum which are covered by the cost of annual registration.
Required Annual Participation:
Monthly Reading and Discussion groups (up to 20 hours). (You must attend a minimum 2 modules (6 sessions / 9 hours)
per year, actively participate and complete a written summary of learning each module.)
Quarterly Video/DVD review (Teaching Tape).
3 half day presentations from participants. (Each person presents within the group one short application of theory to a case or a family of origin example.)
Planning and supervision session. Requirements with individual choice components. (Can be spread over 5 years):
Supervised practice, individual or group (25 hours). 1 hour annually included in planning meeting.
Workshop / conference attendance (40 hours).
Family of origin coaching (25 hours) (Individual and group options).
Presentation of a brief written case study illustrating the application of family systems theory to a clinical case, workplace dilemma or a description of their own family of origin work. How to enrol
After submitting an application form with written learning goals, participants must attend an interview to establish the suitability of this certificate program for their needs and experience.
Once accepted, each participant will be offered assistance to create their individual training program.
It is possible to apply for credit for any workshops that the trainee has attended in the 6 months prior to registering for the Certificate program.
| Certificate program co-ordinator | Administrative Co-ordinator |
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| Jenny Brown | Julie Spencer |
Agency / Organisation Based Training
Faculty are available to tailor training and supervision programs for the needs of individual organisations and to run them at the workplace. Specifically tailored training packages can also be developed to run off site or at The Institute's Grosvenor Cottage.
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