NSCSW postgraduate seminar: Bowen family systems theory

"If I can discover and correct the part I play, all others will automatically correct their parts." - Murray Bowen

Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) will be offering a unique opportunity for our members' professional development: a 9-session seminar in Bowen family systems theory.

Please note that this seminar has limited space.

Time commitment

• This program runs from September 30 to November 25, 2026, with December 2nd as a back-up date.

• Participants will meet via Zoom every Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Atlantic time

• The time required for this seminar is approximately 5 hours per week (2.5hrs in small group sessions, 2.5hrs for preparation and reading assignments)

Program content, participation & process

This program offers a unique opportunity for social workers and other colleagues, whether they be in public or private practice, doing clinical or community work, serving as leaders in religious or secular organizations, owners of family businesses or working as supervisors or mentors.

• We will study and explore Bowen theory in a secure, small group setting. Nine interactive sessions will focus on an understanding of the theoretical framework of Bowen family systems theory while additionally investigating its application to the family, the workplace and the community.

• Along with rich and thought-provoking discussions, participants can be prepared to engage in discussion on readings from the Bowen family systems theory resources.

• This program combines theoretical learning with exploration of self and one’s own family. Each participant will prepare and present a diagram of their own family during the seminar. Typically, this stimulates considerable self-reflection.

• Between sessions, participants are encouraged to define themselves more clearly in their work and family-of-origin systems. It is this effort that results in the deepest level of learning, integration and change.

• The personal nature of the process makes it particularly important that we treat each other with consideration and respect and that our discussions be kept strictly confidential, using our Code of Ethics as a guide.

• Registration indicates your acceptance of the program's processes and principles.

Core concepts of Bowen family systems theory

• leadership

• emotion/fusion/anxiety

• togetherness and individuation forces

• differentiation of self

• emotional triangles

• nuclear family emotional process

• sibling position

• family projection process

• emotional cut-off

• societal emotional process

• multigenerational transmission process

Program features

• Scheduling: Nine sessions held weekly, 2.5 hours each.

• Location: Online via Zoom

• Enrolment: The program will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants, allowing participants an opportunity to fully discuss assigned readings and to present information on their own families during the course of the program.

• Readings: Reading assignments will be selected from Bowen family systems theory texts and peer-reviewed literature. The College will provide a textbook and other reading resources to each of the 12 participants. Course outlines & resources will be available on Google Drive.

• Professional development tracking: For members of NSCSW, the 22.5 session hours of this program are eligible to be tracked as formal professional development. Preparing for sessions by completing the assigned readings is an informal learning activity which can be tracked separately.

Foundations

Related sections of the NSCSW Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice (2025)

Value 4: Valuing Human Relationships

• Guiding Principle 4.2: Social workers continually develop self-awareness and practise self-reflection to guide their practice and personal well-being.

Value 7: Providing Culturally Responsive Competent Professional Services

• Guiding Principle 7.1: Social workers are committed to the ongoing development of their professional abilities and knowledge, aiming to ensure the delivery of culturally responsive professional services.

• Guiding Principle 7.2: Social workers practise within their level of competence and seek appropriate guidance when services required are beyond their competence.

Program facilitators

Anne Pirie

Anne Pirie, MSW, is a registered member of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers, living in Sackville, NB. Anne worked in various clinical settings in several provinces. Bowen family systems theory informs her interest in intergenerational contexts and social justice. Anne is actively retired; now engaged in volunteer organizations and the avid role of grandparenting.

Jim Morton

Jim Morton, MSW, is a retired associate member of NSCSW with more than four decades of leadership, clinical and consulting experience in both the public and private sectors. He is also a Clinical Fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Jim’s current interests centre on mental health, family systems theory, politics, and social change. He lives in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Eligibility

There are two ticket classes, NSCSW members and non-members. Registration during each seminar will be limited to 12 participants, and the registration fee will include the seminar series and resource materials.

You'll need a device that can use Zoom, and a reasonably reliable internet connection with a space to participate that provides privacy. Participants will also need to provide a mailing address where they wish to receive the course materials.

NSCSW members

Must be a current member of NSCSW for these tickets; all active, associate, retired, and student members are welcome, and NSCSW members receive early access to registration for this seminar. There is no other prerequisite.

Non-members

If the seminar has seats remaining on July 30, a limited number will be made available for participants who are not members of NSCSW. This ticket class is open to social workers outside Nova Scotia, as well as practitioners in allied health professions (e.g. nurses, counselling therapists, occupational therapists, etc.).

The facilitators welcome interest in this program from practitioners who:

• are engaged in clinical settings such as mental health, addictions, hospitals and private practice;

• have roles within family-owned businesses;

• own or run business ventures;

• provide leadership to work or religious organizations;

• deliver child protection services;

• consult and deliver services in educational settings; or

• are interested in enhancing their own capacity to be effective observers of systems processes.

Cancellation policy

Please note that the Eventbrite processing fee is not refunded by the ticketing platform. Requests to cancel registration and refund the base ticket fee ($50 for members, $110 for non-members) will be considered on a case-by-case basis until 30 days before the seminar begins, or until course materials have been mailed to you.

Participants may transfer their registration and course materials to another NSCSW member at any time before the first seminar session begins. There are no additional charges for a registration transfer.