2024-2025 Postgraduate Education & Training Series
Applications for 2025-2026 will open March 1st, 2025
Monthly Program: September through May - Nine Class Days
Application Process: Applications Open!
Location: Online; join via ZOOM.
Cost and CEUs: Program cost is $1960 and a total of 54 CEUs, 18 hours group and 9-12* hours individual supervision (LSCSW supervision per hour = $72.50 or $65.50*). *additional hours offered if continuing into second year.
2024-25 Program Dates: The third Friday of the month.
2024: 9/20, 10/18, 11/15, 12/20
2025: 1/17, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18, 5/16
2025-26 Program Dates: The third Friday of the month.
2024: 9/26, 10/17, 11/21, 12/19
2025: 1/16, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18, 5/16
Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm CST
2023-2024 Presenters: Dr. Jim Edd Jones; Stephanie Ferrara, MSW; Dr. Cheryl Lester; Randall T. Frost, MDiv,, Carolyn Jacobs, PhD., Kathleen Kerr, MSN, MA, CNS, Margaret Otto, LSCSW, Joan Jurkowski, M.S., LCPC
Bowen Theory Academy Webcast Lectures: Michael Kerr, MD, Director of the Bowen Theory Academy, Islesboro, ME, or Kathleen Kerr, MSN, MA, CNS, gives monthly webcast lectures on theoretical and clinical topics.
Group & Individual Consultation: The acquisition of Bowen theory requires learning the facts of one’s own family system, consideration of one’s own functional position and application of theory in one’s personal and professional lives. Small group consultation time focuses on lecture material, family of origin, and clinical and work systems challenges. Additionally individual consultation is available each month throughout the program year, either on site or through an online invitation.
Trainee Responsibilities
- Participate in lecture discussions
- Practice thinking systems
- Complete and discuss reading assignments
- Consider facts and emotional process of one’s own family
- Prepare for group and individual consultation
- Apply theory to family, clinical and work problems
- Prepare end of year presentation and paper
Application Process
- CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION! Only applicants with Masters or Doctorate degrees will be considered.
- Note: Family of Origin Diagram that is included in the application can be sent via email to the KC Center.
- Submit $50 application administrative fee. Pay online here
- If application criteria met and administrative fee has been paid, you will be contacted for an interview via GoogleMeets.
- Once you receive letter of acceptance, you will make tuition payment here (tuition may be paid in two installments - Aug and Nov)
- Any questions, please contact info@kcfamilysystems.org or 816-200-1729.
A Unique, Concentrated Course Of Study
The Series is a unique, concentrated course of learning and study of Bowen family systems theory with presentations by KC Center faculty and national guest lecturers. Participants are individuals with Masters or Doctorate degrees from a broad range of professional backgrounds who’ve had some exposure to Bowen family systems theory. Participation is not limited only to mental and health professionals.
A Distinctly Different Theory
Bowen family systems theory is notably different from the long practiced and widely held individual, cause and effect way of thinking and approach to treating symptoms. Systems theory is a theory of human behavior and can be applied to all human problems.
The Family Emotional Unit
Bowen theory describes how families function. Murray Bowen identified the family as an emotional unit with patterned ways of interaction with various degrees of intensity. These repetitive ways of relating throughout an individual’s developmental years result in automatic ways of functioning especially under pressure. The family emotional system then is seen as the primary regulator of individual and family functioning.
Consistent With All Natural Systems
Bowen sought interdisciplinary dialogue with other natural systems researchers and scientists to keep the theory open to new scientific findings and consistent with how all natural systems function. Dr. Bowen made clear the theory would either be found to be consistent with all natural systems or would need to be modified. Toward that end Series presentations often include scientific information and participants are encouraged to question theoretical concepts and ideas given their own family and clinical experience as well as current scientific information.
Overall Objective
The Training Series’ overall objective is to assist individuals in the study and understanding of Bowen family systems theory. The Series encourages the practice of systems thinking and provides opportunities to apply theory in one’s personal and professional lives. The learning and application of theory often come with increased self-awareness and more mature, thoughtful functioning that has an eye to the long term best interest of self as well as that of the family and/or organization.