You Can Go Home Again

On June 5th, 2004, 75 people attended our inaugural conference titled "You Can Go Home Again", which focussed on Family of Origin Coaching.

Murray Bowen's theoretical concepts were illustrated via the stories of therapists' own efforts to define themselves less reactively in the families they grew up in.

A powerful presentation of a client's own experience of therapy and family of origin coaching, illustrated the usefulness of the letter writing tool to process intense emotions and to find a way to take a clear "I" position with family members. The client's letter to her family to disclose childhood sexual abuse was presented, as well as her reflections on the therapy process.

Finally a lively panel discussion was held to reflect on the impact of culture on the way togetherness and autonomy is expressed in families.

Here is a sample of the feedback the conference received:

A sample of suggestions for the future:

• To follow up with a seminar on Bowen therapy with couples.
• To provide more input on the theory.
• More information on the process and goal of therapy during the letter writing process.
• To explore some aspects of coaching further.
• More on cultural differences and family of origin work.

Thanks for the encouraging and thought provoking feed back.

L to R: Lily Mailer & Christine Schwedhelm (presenters), Joanne Wright, Ruth Foley (organiser) & Jenny Brown.