THE PROCESS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS

NON-JUDGMENTAL LISTENING

CREATING POSITIVE OUTCOMES

OPTIMISTIC THINKING

UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF DISCOURAGEMENT

RELAXED APPROACH TO DAILY TASKS

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

GUIDING SELF & OTHERS BEYOND ADVERSITY

ENJOYMENT, FUN & LAUGHTER

MODELING THE COURAGE TO BE IMPERFECT

EFFORT AND IMPROVEMENT ARE ACKNOWLEDGED

NURTURING HEALTHY STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

TIME FOR SELF, FOR SOLITUDE & FOR RENEWAL

© 2000 ~ Robert McBrien, PhD, LPC, Salisbury, Maryland

Tel: 410-334-6500 ~ drbobmcbrien@verizon.net

Healthy Humor and Fun

When we are choosing healthy humor to brighten our day we can use the word HUMOR as a guideline. Humor is healthy when it:

Helps reduce stress or tension. Laughter removes the stress chemicals that are toxic to our body.

Unblocks the person from the narrow thinking distress creates and frees thinking for solving problems or overcoming a challenge.

Moves people closer together: through play, sharing, laughter and fun.

Opens the path to creative thinking and optimism. We overcome adversities through creativity and effort.

Reminds the person of the pleasure experienced during happy times and the joy of sharing life as equals.

© 2003 Robert McBrien, PhD, LPC . Salisbury, MD. Tel: 410-334-6500

drbobmcbrien@verizon.net

Laughter: A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

(NASAP: Vancouver, 2003)

Robert McBrien, Presenter

Diplomate in Adlerian Psychology

Overview of Presentation

Laughter promotes creativity, disconnects painful thinking, and promotes body/mind health.

Participants learn:

1. A biopsychosocial view of humor & laughter

2. The difference between toxic and healthy humor

3. How humor is encouraging in counseling & therapy

4. How to develop a healthy humor quotient (HHQ).

Based on Mosak's teachings, participants will practice using humor and laughter to promote social interest, encourage clients, and prevent professional burnout.

The idea that humor belongs in the counseling office is not new. Adler was known for his humor and contemporary Adlerians have continued to apply this healthy approach to helping clients overcome difficulties and suffering.

Walter "Buzz" O'Connell and Harold Mosak have contributed to our understanding of the healing power of humor and laughter in their writings. Their articles and books cover a span of about 40 years.

In this program we focus on Mosak's teaching, specifically his text, Ha Ha & Aha (1987).

A Biopsychosocial View of Humor & Laughter:

Scientists have mapped the places in the brain where our capacity for laughter and experiencing the situation as humorous is located. Laughter is associated with body/mind health.

Psychologists have a tension-reduction view of "getting" the joke and eliciting a laugh. Laughter is a by-product of social interaction. Having fun and laughing together builds rapport. "The shortest distance between 2 people is laughter" (V. Borge).

Mosak's Theory:

Mosak (1987) emphasized the 2 track theory of humor in describing the positive uses of humor in therapy. Eliciting laughter is useful to obtain rapport, assess, remediate, and reach termination in therapy. Humor methods include surprise, over and under statements (exaggeration), absurdity, metaphor and paradox or confrontation.

Caution is advised since humor can hurt. Toxic humor is that which demeans, is used to place the counselor "one-up," and misses the mark, causing confusion or distress. It is important that counseling does not become a joke telling session. Adlerians select or create humorous stories to fit the client's circumstances and to move the client towards the therapeutic goal.

Page 2. Laughter: A Bridge...

How Humor Hurts:

1. When it demeans or is a put-down.

2. When the attempt at humor misses the mark (as determined by the client).

3. When the humor puts the counselor "one up."

4. When confrontation type humor is premature or too strong.

5. When the counselor's use of humor is perceived as a joke telling session.

How Humor Encourages:

1. It shows compassion.

2. It promotes cooperation.

3. Counselor & client feel connected.

4. It opens the path to creativity.

5. It demonstrates caring.

Increasing Your Healthy Humor Quotient (HHQ):

1. Say NO to Toxic Humor

2. Create a file of stories, puns, jokes and cartoons.

3. Listen to audio tapes, or watch videos of uplifting humor (i.e. Victor Borge).

4. Create a Happy Hour for HHQ. Set aside time each day for laughter and fun. (“100 good laughs = 10 minutes of jogging”, William Fry, MD).

References: McBrien, R. (1993) Laughing together: Humor as encouragement in couples counseling. Individual Psychology, 49 419-427

Mosak, H. (1987) Ha. Ha. & Aha. Washington, DC: Accelerated Development

Web Sources. www.LaughterRemedy.com (P. McGhee) www.humorproject.com (J. Goodman) www.aath.org (Assoc. of Applied and Therapeutic Humor)

About Robert McBrien:

Robert McBrien is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Salisbury, Maryland. A retired director and founder of Student Counseling Services at Salisbury University, his private practice offers Adlerian Family Guidance, parent education and personal counseling for stress related issues. A Diplomate in Adlerian Psychology, he is an author, trainer, counselor & teacher educator. He is a frequent presenter at Adlerian regional and national conferences.

Dr. McBrien is also a Wellness Educator, teaching relaxation techniques and Tai Chi for Arthritis on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Southern Delaware.

Contact Dr. McBrien in Salisbury, MD at 410-334-6500 or drbobmcbrien@verizon.net