FLIPPING THE SWITCH OF THE INTELLECT

Transcription

1 FLIPPING THE SWITCH OF THE INTELLECT Bowen family systems theory and family emotional functioning Mariana Martinez, Ph.D Robert J. Noone, Ph.D

2 THINKING RELATIONSHIPS

3 Can professionals facilitate better thinking in client families? Can they facilitate the management of relationships within the family? for families to attain their goals.

4 Grandma Julia

5 Why is this important? Because DIFFERENTIATION OF SELF

6 Goals Clarify the notion of Differentiation of Self. Learn about the neuroscience that supports the concept of DoS (emotional and intellectual systems). Recognize manifestations of the emotional and the intellectual system in others and in self. Identify ways in which clients and professionals can decrease their automatic behavior and access thoughtfulness.

7 Agenda Introduction Differentiation of Self and neuroscience Behavioral manifestation of the emotional and of the intellectual systems Exercise The consultant Case presentation - videotape Discussion

8 Differentiation of Self Differentiation of Intellectual System Differentiation in Relation to Family System

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11 Prefrontal cortex Amygdala Hippocampus NE,DA Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal System Autonomic Nervous System Brainstem (LC, VTA)

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13 Behavioral manifestations of the emotional system In the individual Cognitive distortions Impulsiveness Helplessness Physical symptoms These reactions are adaptive, but they are problematic when they become fixed and chronic. In relationships Distance (fight) Conflict (fight) Over/under functioning (tend and befriend / freeze) Focus on a third one (scape goat - create triangles) Effort to decrease discomfort from sensitivity to other's expectations, love, upset and attention

14 People at lower level of differentiation make life decisions to relieve the anxiety of the moment when they could know, if they could think at the time, that serious complications would result from the decisions. Family life becomes a mass of complications from years of feeling determined decisions. (405) The more a life is governed by the emotional system, the more it follows the course of all instinctual behavior, in spite of intellectualized explanations to the contrary. (363) Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice.

15 Behavioral manifestations of the intellectual system In the individual anxiety In relationships Observation. Reality based appraisals Problem solve mode available. Creativity Long term thinking Curiosity Energy for self-directed goals Principled decisions and actions Agency ( I think I can ) anxiety Engage with others. Collaborate Stay in contact despite differences Offer and accept appropriate help Give others the space to be who they are Open one to one relationships See the part one plays Can resist the urge to create immediate comfort based on other s expectations, love, upset, or attention.

16 At higher levels of differentiation there are the same automatic emotional forces that govern instinctual behavior, but intellect is sufficiently autonomous for logical reasoning and decisions based on thinking (363) Those whose intellectual functioning can retain relative autonomy in periods of stress are more flexible, more adaptable, and more independent of the emotionality about them. (362) Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice.

17 2 ways in which your emotional system took charge during an interaction with a client. 2 ways in which your intellectual system took charge during an interaction with a client.

18 Manifestations of the emotional system playing out in the consultant Diagnosing and judging. Taking sides (not seeing the reciprocity). Anger, frustration, being sorry. Making too many or too little accommodations. Bringing too many experts. Looking for a quick fix. Functioning for the family - attempting to solve their problem. Getting stuck with the WHY question (cause and effect thinking).

19 What can help the consultant remain engaged with the intellectual system? Staying present, interested, and curious. Asking factual questions many questions. Broadening the lens. Considering the context and the multigenerational history. Being in contact with all relevant players (in person or mentally). Maintaining the focus on the reciprocity (systems thinking). Remembering that relationships are managed in triangles. Keeping in mind the counterbalancing forces of togethernessindividuality.

20 This is my basic operating approach to it: if I can stay relatively out of the system and be in contact with it, then the system itself will begin to settle down Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice.

21 CASE STUDY

22 d Alzheimer cancer

23 to consider while watching What kind of questions helped this brother think clearer? Identify factual questions and interpretation questions. What might have helped to broaden the lens? Triangles to pay attention to. Manifestations of the emotional system taking charge. Manifestations of the intellectual system taking charge.

24 DISCUSSION

25 THANK YOU!