Widen your therapeutic focus and help your family therapy clients learn to bridge generational separation! This book delivers professional insights on one of the least understood but most important of Bowen's concepts—emotional cutoff. The first book on this subject, Emotional Cutoff: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives examines this aspect of Bowen family system theory and shows how emotional cutoff can be understood and addressed in therapy. Emotional Cutoff also provides beneficial case examples, empirically based studies, helpful figures, and family diagrams. This information-packed volume includes a chapter by the developers of Family of Origin Response Survey (FORS)—an instrument that measures the degree to which one is emotionally reactive to their mother or father—that outlines the process and its scoring methodology and demonstrates its reliability. The book also includes chapters on emotional cutoff and societal processes—and even how emotional cutoff manifests in the animal kingdom! From the editor: “In this book, the phenomenon of emotional cutoff is explored from many perspectives. The contributors have illustrated the presence of cutoff in non-human species, in relation to evolutionary theory, brain physiology, reproduction, in the lives of therapists and the individuals and families they work with in clinical practice, and in societal emotional process—in a variety of contexts. In addition, the development of an instrument for measuring emotional cutoff is presented.” Emotional Cutoff is a comprehensive examination of this fascinating aspect of Bowen family systems theory, including: a theoretical overview—as well as a look at cutoff in various animal species and an examination of the way the physiology of the human brain is related to the phenomenon of emotional cutoff bridging emotional cutoff in the therapist's own family, as related by three Bowen systems therapists and a genealogist who is trained in Bowen theory—essential reading for all therapists! research and clinical applications—including interventions you can put into practice right away with clients who are dealing with divorce, depression, domestic violence, or child abuse societal applications—a look at emotional cutoff and societal process in Russian citizens, in Holocaust survivors, in immigrants, and in Israeli/Palestinian relations Emotional Cutoff: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives provides exciting possibilities for treating emotional cutoff in people trying to manage their unresolved issues. It is an essential resource for family therapists, counselors, pastoral counselors, family-oriented psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurses. Reviews: “GET THIS BOOK TODAY. YOUR CLIENTS AND STUDENTS WILL THANK YOU. Just reading the table of contents made me want to stand up and cheer! Everything is covered—the theory, its clinical, research, and societal applications, its connection to the world of science, and the importance of the therapist's own family. The discussion of emotional cutoff and its link to other concepts of Bowen theory is VERY CLEARLY WRITTEN, and throughout the book, many clinical case examples are given with excellent family diagrams. This is a book FOR THERAPISTS, FOR STUDENTS OF THERAPY, AND FOR CLIENTS TOO. I was especially pleased to see the chapters on bridging cutoff after divorce since this is often a hard sell to clients, mired as they are in the anger and problems generated by divorce. Chapters like these are worth their weight in gold when it comes to helping clients decide to undertake this difficult work.” Betty Carter, MSW, Director Emerita, Family Institute of Westchester, New York “A GOOD PRIMER FOR STUDENTS and especially for those interested in Bowen family systems theory. This book celebrates what I call 'the magic of connectedness.' It is magical because it brings people alive and dispels depression beyond our fondest expectations. This book on cutoff explores the continuum from distance and isolation at one end to closeness and intimacy without fusion at the other end.” Thomas F. Fogarty, MD, Associate Director, Center for Family Learning, Rye Brook, New York Contents: About the Editor Contributors Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Theory Chapter 1. Emotional Cutoff in Bowen Family Systems Theory: An Overview Introduction The Origin and Evolution of the Concept of Emotional Cutoff in Bowen Theory The Theoretical Context for the Concepts of Fusion and Cutoff The Concepts of Emotional Fusion and Emotional Cutoff in Bowen Theory The Relationship Between Emotional Cutoff and the Other Concepts in Bowen Theory Symptom Formation and the Continuum of Emotional Cutoff Bridging Emotional Cutoff Summary Chapter 2. Lone Wolves and Rogue Elephants: Emotional Cutoff Among Animals Introduction Solitary Behavior in the Animal World Conclusion Chapter 3. Emotional Cutoff and the Brain Introduction The Human Brain Emotional Cutoff and Brain Development Emotional Cutoff and Brain Functioning Clinical Example Emotional Cutoff in Clinical Work Summary Part II: The Therapist’s Own Family Chapter 4. Efforts to Bridge Secondary Emotional Cutoff Introduction A First Cousin Once Removed: A Resource for Multigenerational History and the Discovery of Cutoff in the Family Bridging Emotional Cutoff with an Aunt Beginning Efforts to Bridge Cutoff with Two First Cousins Conclusion Chapter 5. Toward Undoing Cutoff: A Twenty-Five Year Perspective Introduction Mr. A’s Family History As Known in 1976 Mr. A’s History Through the Lens of Theory Initial Steps to Undo Cutoff Summary and Conclusion Chapter 6. Bridging Cutoff with Divorced Relationships and with Family Early Experience with Bowen Theory A First Attempt to Put Theory to the Test Bridging Cutoff with My Own Family Results of Family Cutoff Work Work for the Future Chapter 7. Managing Cutoff Through Family Research Shift from Individual to Systems Thinking Researching the Cutoffs Identifying Successful and Unsuccessful Approaches to Cutoffs Identifying Variability in Functioning Summary: Principles and Benefits of Managing Cutoff Through Family Research Part III: Research and Clinical Applications Chapter 8. Toward Understanding and Measuring Emotional Cutoff Introduction Emotional Cutoff Rooted in Evolution and Emotional Reactivity Research Instrument Development of the Scale Validity and Reliability Summary Chapter 9. Marital Functioning and Multigenerational Fusion and Cutoff Parent-Child Fusion and Separation—The Prelude and Backdrop to Marriage The Effects of Cutoff on Marriage Clinical Work with Emotional Cutoff Conclusion Chapter 10. Reproduction and Emotional Cutoff Introduction Bowen Theory and Emotional Cutoff The Study of Bowen Theory and Reproduction Family Examples from Research and Clinical Practice Conclusion Chapter 11. The Impact of Cutoff in Families Raising Adolescents Introduction Concepts from Bowen Theory Outline of a Study Some Considerations and Conclusions Chapter 12. The Continuum of Emotional Cutoff in Divorce The Complexity of Divorce The Perspective of Bowen Theory Emotional Cutoff and Divorce Concluding Comment Chapter 13. Depression: A Symptom of Cutoff in Relationship Processes Introduction Bowen Theory and the Therapist’s Own Emotional Functioning Clinical Case Conclusion Chapter 14. Emotional Cutoff and Domestic Violence Introduction Defining Terms and Processes Bowen Theory and Its Relevance for Understanding Domestic Violence Clinical Case Examples Summary Chapter 15. Emotional Cutoff and Family Stability: Child Abuse in Family Emotional Process Introduction Definitions and Background Ideas Threats and Family Stability Cutoff and Family Emotional Regression Managing Cutoff and Family Emotional Regression in Professional Settings Summary Part IV: Societal Applications Chapter 16. Emotional Cutoff and Societal Process: Russia and the Soviet Union As an Example Introduction Definitions of the Concepts The Relationship Between the Concepts of Emotional Cutoff and Societal Process An Example of Emotional Cutoff at the Societal Level: Russia and the Soviet Union Can the Concept of Emotional Cutoff Provide a Generic Way of Understanding Societal Disruptions? Chapter 17. Migration and Emotional Cutoff Introduction Animal Studies From Animals to Humans Emotional Cutoff Migration and Emotional Cutoff Family Examples Bowen Theory, the Relationship System, and Patterns of Migration Conclusion Chapter 18. Emotional Cutoff in Holocaust Survivors: Relationships and Viability Introduction Emotional Cutoff and Holocaust Survivors Case Histories Conclusion Chapter 19. Israeli-Palestinian Relations: A Bowen Theory Perspective Introduction Bonner’s Concepts of Integration and Isolation Bowen Concepts That Are Relevant to Israeli-Palestinian Relations Israeli and Palestinian Perspectives Application of Bowen Theory Israeli and Palestinian Textbooks and Societal Process Conclusion Appendix: A Key for the Family Diagram Symbols Index Reference Notes Included from the publisher's website |