Online Therapy Las Vegas: Differentiation
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I spent years studying marriage and family relationship concepts. One of the concepts that stuck with me is from Murray Bowen. Murray Bowen was a psychiatrist who researched relationships and developed Bowen Family Systems Theory. The concept is called differentiation. In this blog, I’ll be writing about what it is, why it matters, and how it applies to people.
Differentiation= Independent + Interdependent
Differentiation is a concept that refers to the ability of an individual to maintain their sense of self while still being emotionally connected to their family. Differentiation involves separating one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from those of your family. Differentiation exists on a range or continuum. On one end of the spectrum, there is low differentiation or emotional fusion. Emotional fusion is where people are highly reactive to the emotional cues and demands of their family members. On the other end is high differentiation or differentiation of self. Having higher differentiation means being able to think, feel, and act for themselves, separate from the emotional pressures of others in the system.
We are a Network of Relationships
In a family system, individuals are interdependent. Individuals existing within a network of relationships. When a person is in a family system, their actions and emotions can affect other people in the system. Being a person who has differentiation means they can maintain a sense of self while still being emotionally connected to their family.
The process of differentiation involves becoming self-aware, the ability to manage their emotions, and the skill of self-reflection. Bowen believes individuals who have higher levels of differentiation could maintain their own beliefs and values, make independent decisions, and have healthy, interdependent relationships with their families. Overall, the differentiation theory creates a framework for understanding the balance between individuality and tougher within a family system. It emphasizes the importance of self-differentiation for healthy relationships and personal growth.
How does this apply to you? Replace the word family with friends, partners, colleagues, or remove it altogether. People are individuals who are interdependent on one another. Your actions and emotions can affect other people in the system, and vice versa. Their actions and emotions can affect you. How differentiated are you? Are you on the low end or the high end of the spectrum? Are you able to think, feel, and act for yourself? Or are you highly reactive to the emotional dues and demands of others in your system? We all are where we are. The first step in having high differentiation is to recognize where you are. Become aware of what your relationships look like. Become aware of your emotions and how you feel about them. Are you reactive or proactive?
When I work with clients, I help teach people how to become more differentiated. I teach skills to recognize emotions, acknowledge their emotions, explore where those feelings come from, and teach how to nurture them.
Reach out for Online Therapy in Las Vegas
When you want to make a change, get therapy online therapy in Las Vegas with Chris Rabanera. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. I provide online therapy in California, online therapy in Michigan, and online therapy in Las Vegas. I work with issues such as physician burnout, grief counseling, anxiety, and depression. I also provide mental health treatment for men.
When you want to make a change, get online therapy in Las Vegas with Chris Rabanera. Get started with a free 15-minute consultation today. Offering online therapy in California, Michigan, and Nebraska, I specialize in addressing physician burnout, grief counseling, anxiety, depression and providing tailored mental health treatment for men. Let’s get to work to make lasting positive changes.
