My Family My Self: A Journal of Discovery
"The goal is to make a research project out of life."
Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, page 179.
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Anyone who is motivated to study themselves, as a scientist might, will
come to understand more of the forces and factors at play in their life
and to see more of the choices that are theirs to make. This Journal is
a tool for such discovery. Twelve monthly sections include a recording
grid for each day along with categories for observation such as symptom
level in self and other family members, energy level, stress, and more.
Each monthly section also includes sheets to record and evaluate contact
with family members, personal goals, and facts of functioning that are
associated with health and productivity.
Bowen family systems theory and research in biology and neuroscience
provide the framework for the design of the journal. Introductory text
describes the basis for observing facts of functioning, both for self
and for the family.
Individuals may use the journal to accompany self-study or work with a
therapist or coach who is trained and experienced in Bowen family
systems theory. It can be adapted to a variety of purposes for research
and change.
Victoria Harrison, the author, is a therapist who began to study with
Dr. Murray Bowen and the faculty at Georgetown Family Center in 1975.
She added the use of biofeedback instruments to study physiological
reactions and family relationships in 1977 and continues to use
biofeedback and neurofeedback in her work with individuals, couples,
parents and children.
The author began to chart observations in 1976, first in order to better
understand herself and her own family. She kept careful records about
the symptoms of asthma and depression that occurred for her. She pieced
together facts about the symptoms in other family members. She was able
to notice when symptoms for three generations of the family were better
and worse and how they were connected to what was going on between
family members. She was able to see evidence that various family
members did better when there was more thoughtful contact between family
members.
Harrison soon began to integrate factual observations and charting into
her therapy practice and into research projects. Joan Jurkowski, MA,
was one of the first to adapt the early versions of the daily diary to
careful observations of herself and her family. Ms. Jurkowski will talk
about the value of 30 years of family observation at the Georgetown
Symposium in November, 2007.
Women who participated in a study of physiological reactivity, family
relationships, and ovulation used the daily diary to chart Basal Body
Temperature in addition to facts of family and functioning. Many
surprising observations occurred. Victoria Harrison incorporates the
daily diary and menstrual cycle charting into her work with women who
experience symptoms that impact their health and fertility.
Mothers use versions of daily charting to study how symptoms in a child
are associated with anxiety in the broader family and in themselves.
This is helpful in keeping a broader focus on understanding and changing
anxiety reactions that give children a better chance to learn those
skills themselves. Individuals who found this approach helpful have
encouraged Victoria Harrison to develop the observation and charting
resources into this Journal of Discovery.
My Family My Self: A Journal of Discovery
is now available.
Orders can be placed through the Bowen Theory Resource Store
Checks & Credit Cards may be used.
($25 with a subscription to Family Systems Forum)
