Family of Origin insights: A Resource for Clinicians and Clients

About the Session

Each individual is shaped by the unique dynamics of their family context, with diverse experiences that influence both personal development and professional identity as a clinician. This comprehensive and interactive workshop is specifically tailored for counselors who wish to explore how growing up within their family of origin affects their interpersonal functioning and clinical practice. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to examine the impact of family-of-origin relationships and experiences, not only on their own therapeutic work but also on the dynamics with clients in the clinical setting. The session will provide practical tools to enhance self-awareness as a therapist and refine clinical practice. This workshop offers invaluable insights and is essential for those seeking to integrate this perspective into their work. 

What you will learn:  

• Examine methods for assessing individual functioning within the family context, applicable to both the clinician and the client. 
• This workshop will introduce strategies for conducting these assessments efficiently, as well as in a more in-depth and comprehensive manner. 
• Identify key patterns that influence all relationships, and learn how recognizing these patterns can help a clinician bring unconscious, automatic behaviors into awareness. 
• Reflect on your own relationship with your family of origin and how this will foster self-awareness and strengthen your therapeutic work.  
• Engage in case studies and experiential exercises that promote skill development and deepen understanding through small group discussions.  

Format: Interactive with collaborative discussions, hands-on activities, case study analysis.

Bio Katherine White 

I have been working with individuals, couples, children and families for over 20 years, across 3 countries. I received my training in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) from Arizona State University and hold a current licence in Arizona as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I have trained in many therapeutic models over the course of my career.  My early work assisting children, adolescents and their parents began in the schools in Arizona, and I then worked as a Marriage and Family Therapist and clinical manager at non-profit agencies. I worked for 2 years in Sydney, Australia as a clinician in a Family Relationship Counselling Program. In 2011, I moved to Vancouver and began my therapy practice in Canada.  Along with my private practice I am also the Executive Director and faculty member with Living Systems Counselling, a non-profit in the Lower Mainland specializing in Bowen Family Systems Theory.