Bowenian and Structural Family Therapy

Bowenian primary focus was on the patterns that develop in families to reduce anxiety. A

central generator of anxiety in families is the perception of excessive closeness or too much

distance in a relationship. In the Bowenian Family Therapy video, there is a family of three,

Adrian (father), Judy (mother), and Pam (daughter), seeking help. Pam is 32 years old and has

developmental limitations. The problem, in this case, is that Pam seems to have a better

relationship with her father than her mother. The relationship between father and daughter is

close, whereas the relationship between daughter and mother is distant, making the mother feel

left out. There are various sources of anxiety in the family in question, but their relationships as a

nuclear family stick out like a sore thumb. Pam is angry and does not communicate. Judy and

Adrian do not understand their daughter’s anger.

The structural family therapy with Judy, Adrian, and Pam deals with Pam’s problem:

anger and being uncommunicative. As the therapy session goes by, Harry (psychotherapist)

realizes that Pam’s anger is triggered by her not getting what she wants. Pam admits she is spoilt

because she does not help her mother, and therefore her mother does not give her what she

wants. Pam is anxious about growing up and leaving her parents. The family organization

contributed to some of the issues they are facing. The relationship between father and daughter

was close, and the mother was alienated.

Treatment plan – Bowenian theory

Objective 1: describe in detail the reason why the family is seeking therapy and what they want

from the therapist to resolve the problem