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Exploring the Functions of Play and Humor During Bowen Family Systems Theory Training Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks Department of Family Therapy Dissertations CAHSS Theses, Dissertations, and Applied and Applied Clinical Projects Clinical Projects 2019 Knock Knock! Who’s There? Exploring the Functions of Play and Humor During Bowen Family Systems Theory Training Helen Reynolds Nova Southeastern University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dft_etd Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Helen Reynolds. 2019. Knock Knock! Who’s There? Exploring the Functions of Play and Humor During Bowen Family Systems Theory Training. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Family Therapy. (55) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dft_etd/55. This Dissertation is brought to you by the CAHSS Theses, Dissertations, and Applied Clinical Projects at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Knock Knock! Who’s There? Exploring the Functions of Play and Humor During Bowen Family Systems Theory Training By Helen Reynolds A Dissertation Presented to the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Nova Southeastern University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nova Southeastern University 2019 Copyright by Helen Reynolds November, 2019 Nova Southeastern University College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences This dissertation was submitted by Helen Reynolds under the direction of the chair of the dissertation committee listed below. It was submitted to the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Philosophy in the Department of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University. Approved: _____________________ _____________________________________ Date of Defense Christopher Burnett, Psy.D. Chair _____________________________________ Tommy V. Boyd, Ph.D. _____________________________________ Anne H. Rambo, Ph.D. _____________________ _____________________________________ Date of Final Approval Christopher Burnett, Psy.D. Chair Acknowledgements I cannot imagine what my life would be like had I not encountered the ideas of Murray Bowen, and if I had not been lucky enough to study his theory in the company of a truly remarkable group of teachers, supervisors, and fellow students. Studying Bowen family systems theory has increased the availability of play throughout my life in ways I could not have imagined, and I am deeply grateful to Murray Bowen himself, and to the people who have played alongside me in this wonderful learning experience. As I describe in chapter one, Dr. Chris Burnett, the chair of this dissertation, introduced me to Bowen family systems theory. Over the course of my studies at Nova I attended his classes and practicums first as a student and then returning as a teaching and supervisory assistant over and over again. I was drawn back because of my fascination with Bowen’s ideas, but also because of Dr. Burnett’s unique way of thinking about and exploring them. Participating in the learning environments that he facilitated was like experiencing great art—it transformed the way I understood the world, how I related to it, and how I developed as a clinician and a human being. Dr. Burnett also created and oversaw Bowen Club, an extracurricular weekly meeting of students who simply wanted more time to explore these ideas and talk about them with other people. It quickly became one of my all-time favorite ways to play, and I am so grateful to that wonderful group of people for their ideas, enthusiasm, curiosity, passion, kindness, and especially their endless laughter. Away from Nova I have studied Bowen’s ideas in the Bowen Theory South Florida training program run by Eileen Gottlieb and Jeffrey Miller. Eileen and Jeff have challenged me with questions and observations that have been absolutely critical in iv helping me to better understand Bowen’s theory, my family, and my self. I am grateful to the many generous members of the Bowen community who enrich the training program with their thoughtful and thought-provoking lectures. My committee members, Dr. Tommy Boyd, Dr. Anne Rambo, and—for the initial stage of writing and research design—Dr. Martha Marquez, provided invaluable support and feedback. Dr. Boyd was extremely generous with her time and such an amazing editor that a colleague and I renamed her, “Dr. Tommy ‘The APA Beast’ Boyd.” Dr. Rambo, who has been an inspiration throughout my time in the program, opened the door to new ways of thinking and helped to expand my perspective on the whole topic. Dr. Marquez provided a space in which to begin to organize my thoughts about play and therapy, and she offered invaluable encouragement and guidance throughout the process. I especially want to thank the six people that I interviewed for the study. Immersing myself in their stories and ideas was like taking a master class in the topic of play and Bowen family systems theory. Each person contributed such rich, interesting responses that I felt like I was digging in a mine and repeatedly coming up with hunks of gold. Their generous contributions have helped me to develop a much more nuanced awareness of the playful emotional processes in all my relationships. Outside of academia, numerous family and friends have provided me with support, encouragement, and the many benefits of community. First, I would like to thank the members of Florida Aikikai, my Aikido dojo family, who have been my village for the last thirteen years. Bowen family systems theory helped me to appreciate the importance of this group, and to recognize the importance of showing up and connecting v with people at the dojo—especially on the days when I lost confidence and hope. I usually learned something when I did, and found my energy and clarity restored. Second, I would like to thank my parents, Janet Reynolds and Philip Reynolds, and my brother, Timothy Reynolds. My mother is one of the most creative and playful people I know, and she filled my childhood with opportunities to explore and express myself. My father always encouraged me to follow my own interests, and showed me that the world is endlessly fascinating and full of beauty. My brother has the most amazing sense of humor and the best laugh in the world. He will always be one of my favorite playmates. I would also like to thank my husband’s family, especially my father-in-law, Neal Lit, who has been incredibly supportive. Finally, I would like to thank my lovely, brilliant, and extremely funny husband. Throughout the dissertation process he has been understanding, patient, and incredibly generous. He has listened to me drone on about the miseries of dissertation, and he has listened to my reveries about the wonders of dissertation with equal grace. Whether we are hiking a mountain, training in Aikido class, watching a funny British TV show, or laughing at one of our silly inside jokes, I am infinitely grateful to be able to spend my life playing alongside this wonderful man. vi Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... xi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... xii Abstract ............................................................................................................................ xiii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 Bowen Theory ......................................................................................................... 2 Murray Bowen ............................................................................................ 2 The Emotional System ................................................................................ 3 Variables of Functioning ............................................................................. 9 The Role of the Therapist ..................................................................................... 24 The Objective ............................................................................................ 24 The Approach ............................................................................................ 25 Defining the Self of the Therapist ............................................................. 27 Becoming the Client: A Playful Process ................................................... 30 Author’s Narrative ................................................................................................ 31 Before Bowen ........................................................................................... 31 Introduction to Bowen .............................................................................. 35 The Playful Emotional Triangle ................................................................ 42 Defining a Self: A Playful Bowenian ....................................................... 48 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .................................................... 59 Play ......................................................................................................................
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