Vermont Center for Family Studies The Wisdom of Bowen Theory: A Professional Training Program Strengthening Families by Mastering Self Page 1 of 6 Application for the VCFS Professional Training Program Please download (in MS Word, as the document will not display properly in Google Docs) and complete the application by filling in the dedicated fields it contains. Email your confidential completed application to vcfsapplication@gmail.com. You may use this e-mail address to contact us with any questions regarding the training program and the application form and process. Applications are due by May 15th 2016. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Early acceptance can be arranged for those wishing to confirm plans early. Once you have submitted your application you will receive an email confirmation. The application will be reviewed by the program co-directors, and applicants will be notified of their status by June 15th 2016. Once an applicant has been accepted, the program tuition of $2,500 will be due in full by July 15th 2016. Contact Information Name: Click here to enter text. Address: Click here to enter text. City/ZIP Code: Click here to enter text. Phone (home, work, cell): Click here to enter text. E-mail address: Click here to enter text. Emergency Contact: Click here to enter text. Vermont Center for Family Studies The Wisdom of Bowen Theory: A Professional Training Program Strengthening Families by Mastering Self Page 2 of 6 Vermont Center for Family Studies The Wisdom of Bowen Theory: A Professional Training Program Strengthening Families by Mastering Self Page 3 of 6 Personal Facts/Information Date of Birth / Age: Click here to enter text. Place of Birth: Click here to enter text. Sibling Position: Click here to enter text. Relationship Status: Click here to enter text. Name and Age of Partner / Spouse: Children? (If yes, how many?) How would you describe your role in your family? What amount and quality of contact do you have with your nuclear and extended families? Please list any serious illness (physical or emotional) in yourself or your family. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Vermont Center for Family Studies The Wisdom of Bowen Theory: A Professional Training Program Strengthening Families by Mastering Self Page 4 of 6 Bowen theorists have observed that an eclectic approach is most often a collection of different individual theory approaches. Bowen theorists recognize that individual theory approaches have value, but the challenge of learning a systems approach is best met by focusing solely on that for a period of time. Learning and developing a new way of thinking can be challenging when other dominant messages in psychology are present. Because of this, we recommend that trainees seriously consider suspending their current psychotherapy that is based in a different or eclectic theory during their training. Are you currently in psychotherapy? If so, what is the theoretical orientation of this work and how has it gotten you to Bowen Theory? Click here to enter text. Professional & Educational Background 1. Please attach a current resume or curriculum vitae with up to date information. It should include educational background along with employment history from college to present time, as well as dates and locations of employment. If your primary responsibilities have been focused on family and/or raising children please list that along with a brief description of your role and responsibilities in the family. E-mailed Mailed 2. Are you currently enrolled in a degree program? If so, please provide details of school and area of study. Click here to enter text. 3. Additional training programs/educational experiences since college or graduate school. (List intensive/focused trainings only such as a postgraduate program, etc. Please list the name of the institution, location, dates, and course of study.) Click here to enter text. Vermont Center for Family Studies The Wisdom of Bowen Theory: A Professional Training Program Strengthening Families by Mastering Self Page 5 of 6 Application Questions 1. What is your interest in participating in the VCFS Professional Training Program? How does it fit with your personal and professional goals? Click here to enter text. 2. How have you thought about and understood human behavior/relationships? What theories or beliefs have influenced your efforts in personal and professional relationships? (Note: Bowen observed that the thinking of helpers is always based in a theory, though many are not aware of it. An important task for advanced students of Bowen theory is to understand the theoretical underpinnings of various ways of looking at a situation.) Click here to enter text. 3. Describe an emotionally challenging situation or time in your family and ways that you related to it. In doing so, provide a brief history of the family including the social factors/stressors impacting the family. How would you describe the nature of the relationships in the family? What role and responsibilities do you take on in the family system? What is your level of functioning in the family? What are ways that you act as a leader in the family system? How does what you do help or get in the way? How would you like to improve your ability to handle such situations? Click here to enter text. 4. Please begin a basic family diagram with data (ages; dates of birth, death, marriage/relationship, separation, divorce; health) about yourself and your family members. The diagram should extend back at least to your great-grandparents generation. We are not looking for a polished or finished product, but rather a serious working draft. A pencil and paper drawing is advisable, to allow for edits. Here are two links to sites that provide guidance on how to draw a standard family diagram: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-aGenogram and http://stanfield.pbworks.com/f/explaining_genograms.pdf. When completed, scan your confidential diagram and email it as an attachment with your application to vcfsapplication@gmail.com. Alternatively, you may mail a hard copy of your diagram to Michael Gilman, Optima, 2 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401. E-mailed Mailed Vermont Center for Family Studies The Wisdom of Bowen Theory: A Professional Training Program Strengthening Families by Mastering Self Page 6 of 6