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Trauma and Bowen Family Systems Theory: Working with Adults Who were Abused as Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 November 2012

Linda MacKay
Linda MacKay*
Affiliation:
The Family Systems Institute, Neutral Bay, Sydney
*
Address for correspondence: lmackay@thefsi.com.au
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Abstract

Working with survivors of trauma is mostly challenging, exhausting, long-term and often ‘messy’, when interventions that ‘should’ work, don't, or the unexpected arises. Nevertheless, explanations that speak to recovery from trauma more and more rely on neurobiological concepts to account for any positive change. Combining the family systems approach of Murray Bowen and recent research on the brain and trauma, post trauma symptoms are viewed as part of the ‘family emotional process’ even when traumatic events have emanated from outside the family system itself. Variations in responses to trauma, including dissociation and self-harm are discussed in relation to chronic anxiety and ‘differentiation of self’.

Keywords

child abuse traumaanxietydissociationBowen family systems theorydifferentiationneuroscience
Type
Articles
Information
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy , Volume 33 , Issue 3: Trauma and Systemic Therapy , September 2012 , pp. 232 - 241
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2012

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