I consistently get feedback that my clients enjoy my use of humor and the ability to laugh in session. One client texted me just last week: "I was at the end of my rope today and u helped reset me too. Your laughter is great medicine." A well-timed joke, self-deprecation or even sarcasm can bring a sense of levity to dark, serious situations, and serve as a sort of emotional re-set. When you feel like crying, coping through laughter can be part of the dialectical behavioral therapy technique of "opposite action." I've shared funny clips in session from shows like South Park and The Office as well as from various movies. Having a cache of hilarious mental health memes that I text to clients at key moments has been worth its weight in gold in building rapport and connection to clients. Humor makes me more relatable as a human and less of an expert on a pedestal.
Since our office works often with children, teens, through adults; humor is a big part of our work! As trained child therapists, we learn early in our careers that being able to utilize humor and even sarcasm with particularly sassy teen clients can be a great benefit to building a strong therapeutic relationship. I personally work often with parents going through intense challenges within their families. Whether it is coping with loss, managing a child's serious medical condition, or trying to be the best possible parent you can be to a child who is struggling, humor helps. Being able to weave in light hearted commentary while exploring deep, dark, and challenging emotions makes it all feel more manageable and easier for clients.
Humor can be very effective in the therapeutic process but it needs to be done carefully and usually once significant rapport is established. I would likely not use humor during an initial intake session unless the client initiated something and laughter worked towards building rapport. I am also aware that sometimes clients use humor as a defense mechanism to not deal with deeper emotions but even when that is the case, I wait until rapport has been established before pointing this out. Timing is very important when using humor in therapy. It can lead to deeper rapport and healing as laughter is good medicine.
Private Practice Owner & Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Adored Mothers Perinatal Therapy Center, PLLC
Answered 2 years ago
I always say, "humor is healing!!" Sometimes when we feel uncomfortable or vulnerable and exposed in the therapy space, humor can cut through the stickiness of that. Think about thick, sticky, sweet, honey. In small doses, it has healing benefits such as fighting infection and reducing inflammation. But, the thick, stickiness, and sweetness of it can be overwhelming or strong. Adding a few drops of water or even melting it a bit with heat, can break up the thickness, stickiness, and sweetness of it, still providing those healing qualities. That's what humor does. It breaks up the uncomfortable, exposed, vulnerable feelings of the therapeutic process, while still providing those healing qualities. Humor does wonders for the soul, the heart, and the healing process in the therapy space.
As a sex therapist, humor is crucial in my work. Since it is a sensitive subject, I use humor to help people feel more comfortable and relaxed early on in our sessions. It puts them at ease, making it easier for them to open up and share their story. Humor creates an atmosphere of comfort, which is highly essential to the therapeutic bond.
Humor is an effective tool in therapy, helping to lighten emotional burdens and foster openness between therapist and client. It encourages clients to confront difficult topics by allowing them to laugh about their struggles, which can lead to deeper discussions and breakthroughs. Moreover, humor helps build rapport, making clients feel more comfortable in exploring their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment.