Bowen Approach Worksheet for Couples
Assume you work with couples from a Bowenian perspective, and a majority of your work is done through teletherapy. You develop a handout/worksheet you can give to clients that explains your approach and allows them to consider some of these ideas outside of therapy.
This handout explains couple differentiation and specific intervention for them to do at home between sessions. The intervention will be designed to help clients increase their levels of differentiation, which will help them connect without being so reactive.
Follow these guidelines in designing the brochure/handout (Note: Brochures/handouts should be readable and can include lists, bullets, or graphics rather than complete paragraphs):
1. Explain/define differentiation in lay terminology so that it is clear to your client.
2. Provide a brief discussion of the Bowen approach to working with relationships.
3. Describe at least one intervention designed to increase differentiation in relationships that couples can do at home, in between sessions (you can use one in the research or be creative, as long as it connects to the Bowen model goals).
4. Discuss the role that extended family can play in the current relationship (strengths and challenges)
5. Create a section that embraces cultural differences that might exist around the idea of differentiation and extended family expectations.
6. Provide a brief summary of teletherapy and what clients should expect for this setting.