What is a Relationship System? with Lois Walker and Ron Richardson

What is a Relationship System? with Lois Walker and Ron Richardson

Season 3: Special Episode

This special podcast episode was recorded live at the Living Systems Annual General Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, in May 2025. It addresses the question of what is a relationship system. There is a focus on what Bowen family systems theory describes as an “emotional system”. Each guest will give a brief elevator pitch of a relationship system, with examples, how it is useful to Bowen theory. There are also takeaway ideas, questions, and resources for further thinking.

Lois Walker started observing diversity among families as a young graduate nurse. She became interested in the spiritual needs of individuals and families in cancer care and palliative care. Lois later completed a Masters of Divinity and entered the training program in Bowen theory at North Shore Counselling Centre (now Living Systems) in 1990. Following that she completed three years of the post-graduate program at the Georgetown Family Center (now the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family). For 35 years, Lois has continued to study Bowen theory as well as teach and provide clinical supervision in the training program at Living Systems.

Dr. Ronald Richardson graduated from UCLA, Princeton Seminary, and the Rochester/Colgate Divinity School. He worked as a pastor before becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist and Pastoral Counsellor. He was the former Executive Director of Living Systems and retired in 1995. In addition, he was an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Supervisor and a Diplomate for the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC). Ron is the author of many books on the application of Bowen family systems theory to organizations and relationships. Ron is now 85 and has been married to Lois Richardson for 58 years. Find Ron’s books by searching “Ronald W. Richardson” on Amazon.