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Description
Humor and storytelling have long been utilized within psychotherapy as mechanisms for enhancing therapeutic alliance, facilitating emotional processing, reducing defensiveness, and promoting cognitive flexibility. These interventions may function as “trans-rational” techniques, accessing emotional and relational material that may not emerge through exclusively cognitive or skills-based approaches.
This experiential workshop will examine the clinical application of humor as an adjunctive therapeutic modality across treatment settings. Participants will review relevant literature regarding humor in psychotherapy, observe clinical examples, engage in experiential exercises and role-play demonstrations, and explore both the therapeutic potential and clinical risks associated with humor-based interventions. Emphasis will be placed on developing intentional, ethically appropriate, and culturally sensitive uses of humor within participants’ primary therapeutic orientations.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Susskind received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Yale, 55 years ago. He next spent 15 years as a full-time faculty member at 3 universities . He is a full-time therapist in private practice, an author, an international lecturer, and a frequent workshop leader at Nefesh conferences. In addition to his work as a therapist, he has been a stand-up comic. Videos of his comedic work can be found on youtube.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between rational/cognitive therapeutic interventions and trans-rational humor-based interventions, including the theoretical mechanisms through which humor may facilitate emotional processing and therapeutic alliance.
- Demonstrate the application of humor-based therapeutic interventions through structured role-play or case-based clinical scenarios appropriate to diverse client presentations.
- Identify potential clinical risks, ethical concerns, and contraindications associated with the use of humor in psychotherapy, including situations in which humor may impair rapport, reinforce defenses, or invalidate client affect
Agenda:
00:00–00:10 Introduction, Workshop Orientation, and Experiential Warm-Up
• Overview of humor as a therapeutic modality
• Establishing participant engagement and workshop goals
00:10–00:25 Literature Review and Conceptual Foundations of Humor as a Trans-Rational Intervention
• Historical and theoretical perspectives
• Humor, emotional processing, and therapeutic alliance
• Review of relevant psychotherapy literature
00:25–00:35 Clinical Demonstrations and Guiding Principles for Therapeutic Humor
• Presenter case examples
• Timing, attunement, and ethical considerations
• Distinguishing therapeutic humor from avoidance or defensiveness
00:35–00:55 Dyadic and Large Group Discussion: Participants’ Prior Clinical Use of Humor
• Processing previous experiences using humor therapeutically
• Identifying effective and ineffective interventions
• Cultural and relational considerations
00:55–01:05 Break
01:05–01:25 Experiential Role-Play: Improvisational Humor in Clinical Scenarios
• Spontaneous intervention practice
• Therapist responsiveness and flexibility
• Group feedback and processing
01:25–01:45 Small Group Development of Humor-Based Clinical Interventions
• Designing interventions appropriate to participants’ practice settings
• Integrating humor into existing therapeutic modalities
01:45–02:00 Closing Reflection, Guided Exercise, and Clinical Integration
• Reflective processing
• Ethical and practical takeaways
• Resources for continued learning
This presentation is open to:
- Behavior Analysts
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
This online class is offered at an intermediate level, and is beneficial for an intermediate level clinician:
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Additional information
- Refunds: Registrants who are unable to attend a Unlimited CEs NEFESH seminar or live webinars may ask for, and will receive, a credit or refund (your choice). Refund requests will be processed within 3 business days. When an attendee knows in advance that they are unable to attend we ask that they inform Unlimited CEs NEFESH ahead of time by emailing secretary@nefeshinternational.org or by calling or texting 201-384-0084 this allows us to free up the spot in the training in the event that a training is at or near capacity.
- Disability Access: If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
- Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly.
- The grievance policy for trainings provided by Unlimited CEs NEFESH is available here
- Satisfactory Completion: Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion in your account or by clicking here
- Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
- System Requirements: Any device (such as a computer, tablet, or phone), Dual-Core 2 GHz or higher processor, and at least 4 GB of RAM capable of running a Zoom session, along with a stable internet connection.
- Although early registration is recommended for this class in order to ensure the best experience, attendees may register and join until the start of the program