Is There a Place for Humor in Therapy?

Therapy is serious work and it should be. Clients entrust us with secrets and bring their vulnerability into the room. For this reason, client concerns demand our deepest respect; that being said, sometimes laughter is part of the treatment.

Therapy does not always involve “life or death issues.” There is a place for humor in the therapeutic process and in the rapport between therapist and client. The caveat is that it must be used judiciously and with great sensitivity to the client or clients’ situation, background, and clinical concerns. Let’s look at some actual examples:

One time during a session, I told a client struggling with agoraphobia: “Nothing worthwhile comes without risk; as ships are safest in harbor, that’s not what ships are for;” To this the client replied, “sure, and that’s why I don’t own a boat.” The mood immediately lightened and the client gained a heightened perspective. They had made a very clever remark.

Another time, during a particularly difficult and emotional session, a couple was fighting over the delegation of household chores. I was emphasizing compromise. After a lot of back and forth, it became evident that it was not just a fight about household responsibility, but involved a void of intimacy. When one partner said they were often too tired to make love on Saturdays after doing laundry, balancing expenses, and walking the dog, I replied, "Well, I'm sure your partner would be happy to take that off your hands that day."

In a final example, a client stated that their father was a proverbial "thorn in their side" and never gave them a moment's peace, I replied, "Well, I bet they really make you appreciate your mother."

Therapy can be heavy lifting; deep emotions are expressed and hurt often results. Releasing the tension in the room, and allowing the parties involved some respite, a smile, and even a laugh at times, can be essential and therapeutic. At various moments in the process, humor can be a powerful tool to enhance insight, reframe perspective, and create a more relaxed atmosphere. For the therapist, “taking the temperature of the room” is critical, but so is knowing when a bit of levity can go a long way.

To learn more about my perspective and how I may help you on your wellness journey, schedule your personal consultation.