Conference paper
THE HUMOR IN THERAPY: THE HEALING POWER OF LAUGHTER
Patrizia Amici
; Association “Un Porto per Noi- ONLUS”, Bergamo, Italy
Abstract
Although humour is a key element of human communication, and, for this reason, it is also present in therapeutic contexts, its use
in this sense still remains largely untapped. The purpose of this article is to increase curiosity and broaden the reflection on the use
of humour in the psychotherapeutic relationship. The first part is dedicated to a short review of the main theories on the origins of
laughter. The second part will examine those studies reporting a beneficial effect of humour on physical well-being, while the third
part will review those studies describing how humour can help improve psychological well-being. The fourth part will further
explore the clinical effects of humour in the therapeutic relationship. Both the positive and negative effects of humour in the
therapeutic relationship will be discussed. In addition, some brief examples are included.
Keywords
humour; psychotherapy; therapeutic alliance
Hrčak ID:
264150
URI
Publication date:
4.9.2019.
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