This class provides a "deep dive" into the ethical and mindful use of humor as intervention in psychotherapy and other helping professions. Over the course of the class, participants will learn about the known history of humor in our species and in the psychotherapy profession. The research about humor, both as used in psychotherapy and as studied more widely, will be reviewed. We will explore humor in light of various theories including power dynamics, CBT, DBT, and SFBT.
Through all of this, several primary purposes and uses of humor will be identified. We will also explore potential signs that humor is the wrong choice in the moment. The instructor will share their own experiences with using humor well in session, and participants will have the chance to share their own stories.
https://frumtherapist.com/workshops/OhYou2223/viewOh, You Got Jokes Now:
The Role of Humor as Intervention in the Clinical Relationship
Thursday, February 20, 2025, 1:45 PM EST - 4:45 PM EST
Presenter: Glenn Maloney, MSW LICSW LADC C-DBT
Course Length: 3 Hours
This workshop Offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits
This class provides a "deep dive" into the ethical and mindful use of humor as intervention in psychotherapy and other helping professions. Over the course of the class, participants will learn about the known history of humor in our species and in the psychotherapy profession. The research about humor, both as used in psychotherapy and as studied more widely, will be reviewed. We will explore humor in light of various theories including power dynamics, CBT, DBT, and SFBT.
Through all of this, several primary purposes and uses of humor will be identified. We will also explore potential signs that humor is the wrong choice in the moment. The instructor will share their own experiences with using humor well in session, and participants will have the chance to share their own stories.
1. The History of Humor
A. Humor in our species
B. Humor in Psychotherapy
1. Positive Viewpoints
2. Negative Viewpoints
2. Humor and Research
A. Psychotherapy Research
B. Research outside of the Psychotherapy Profession
3. Types of Humor
A. Typography in Psychotherapy
B. Other methods of classifying humor.
C. "Good" and "Bad" humor for clinicians and intervention
4. Humor and Theory
A. Basic Theories from Social Work
1. Humor and Power Dynamics
2. Humor and Person-Centeredness
B. Theories from Psychotherapy
1. CBT
2. DBT
3. SFBT
5. Humor as Self-Care for the Service Provider
6. Wrap-up and the Three Primary Purposes of Humor
A. Three Uses
B. Stories from Our Sessions/Discussion
Covering all of this, and the amount of time spent on each topic, is guided by the amount of time allocated to the presentation by your organizers.