Family Matters:Bowen Theory and Science

Hello and welcome to family matters. Too often we think we know something for a fact only to discover that it is not so. That is science. When Dr. Murray Bowen developed his theory on family systems in the 1960s, he was clear that it was only that, a theory, that needed to be supported on scientific facts. On this edition of Family Matters, I explore with two scholars and clinicians the task of contrasting Bowen theory with scientific discoveries, Dr. Robert Noone and Dr. Daniel Papero have recently published a book entitled The Family Emotional System.

Dr. Daniel Papero, has written numerous articles and book chapters on various aspects of family systems theory and family psychotherapy. He has extensive clinical experience with families and maintains a practice in Washington, DC.

Dr. Robert Noone. Dr. Noone has been a practicing family psychiatrist for more than 40 years. Dr. Noone is co-founder of the Center of Family Consultation in Evanston, Illinois which has been providing programs on Bowen theory for the past 35 years. Dr. Noone is a nationally recognized presenter on Bowen theory, psychotherapy, and author of numerous articles on the subject.