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Nothing is as Practical as a Good Theory: Bowen Theory and the Workplace — a Personal Application

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2012

Megan F. Chambers
Megan F. Chambers*
Affiliation:
Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Area Health Service, Australia.megan_chambers@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
*
*Address for correspondence: Megan Chambers, Redbank House, Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Area Health Service Institute Rd, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
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Abstract

Bowen Family Systems Theory is most commonly used to understand and predict family process. It is also applied to other potentially intense relationship systems, especially the workplace. It has been used by workplace consultants and by individuals to understand, and to manage, their own workplace functioning. This paper will draw from several key Bowen concepts to analyse common workplace dilemmas and to suggest responses that may assist the functioning of the individual and the system. The author's own experience as a manager in a child and adolescent mental health programme will be used as the case study to illustrate the theory's application.

Keywords

Bowen theoryworkplacetrianglesdifferentiation of self
Type
Articles
Information
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , 01 December 2009 , pp. 235 - 246
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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