Internet Based Home Study Program

"Using Humor in Counseling and Supervision"

3.0 Hours Continuing Education

Rand L. Kannenberg, M.A., LAC, CCS, CCM 
is Executive Director of Criminal Justice Addiction 
Services, providing professional training and 
continuing education (advanced level courses 
on "Deviance and Criminal Behavior," 
"Sociotherapy for Sociopaths" [TM]/
"Resocial Group" [TM], and "Clinical Case
Management and Behavioral Health").  He has
more than twenty three years full time, paid, post 
graduate experience in behavioral health and 
corrections.  He is also the former owner and 
manager of a stand up comedy club in Boulder, 
Colorado (Comedy Clinic: "A Good Laugh is Great 
Therapy") and along with his wife was a 
"caring clown" (in hospitals and other 
healthcare settings) while in high school 
and college.  Kannenberg is author of 
"Sociotherapy for Sociopaths: Resocial Group" 
(TM) and "Case Management Handbook for 
Clinicians."

"Kannenberg's fresh approach to treating psychoactive chemical abusing sociopaths should be in every counselor's arsenal when treating a client of this nature." Misti Storie, Education and Training Coordinator, Counselor Resources, "Reader's Corner," (NAADAC News, August 2005).

Top 10 Bestselling Book List of search by subject on Medicum.net 2005.

(Audiocassette/manual package also available from PESI.)

• Order online from the PESI virtual bookstore now.

This book is also available at bordersstores.com, barnesandnoble.com, or amazon.com and at as many as 12 different online sellers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and France. Prices vary tremendously if not ordered directly from PESI HealthCare, publisher.

"Even if new to the profession or a seasoned veteran, this book is a helpful resource to all addiction counselors...An addiction treatment facility's library is not complete without this book." Misti Storie, Education and Training Coordinator, Counselor Resources, "Reader's Corner," (NAADAC News, August 2005).

(Audiocassette/manual package also available from PESI.)

• Order online from the PESI virtual bookstore now.

This book is also available at bordersstores.com, barnesandnoble.com, or amazon.com and at as many as 12 different online sellers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and France. Prices vary tremendously if not ordered directly from PESI HealthCare, publisher.

Copyright 2004-2007 Criminal Justice Addiction Services

All rights reserved.  
Only the individual trainee may use this material.  
Unless authorized in writing by the author named above, 
no part of this material may be copied, used or distributed
for any other reason.

Criminal Justice Addiction Services

7475 W. 5th Ave. #150F

Lakewood, CO 80226-1673 USA

(303) 232-0767 (Voice/Fax)

• http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/criminaljustice

• rtkannenberg@juno.com

DIRECTIONS

Course Description

This home study program will address the following:

• using humor in supervision and counseling

• helpful versus harmful humor

• spontaneous versus planned humor

• using humor for crisis and stress management

• humor techniques and recommendations

• humor research, resources and references

• humor to increase client satisfaction and compliance

• humor to prevent staff/volunteer burnout

Target Audience

• Mental Health Professionals

• Addictions Professionals

• Domestic Violence Professionals

• Parole and Probation Officers

• Community Corrections Staff and Volunteers

• Prison and Jail Staff and Volunteers

Goals and Objectives

• Be able to discuss the differences between helpful versus harmful humor.

• Be able to discuss the differences between spontaneous versus planned humor.

• Be able to discuss how humor can be used for crisis and stress management.

Material to be printed, read and studied.

Humor Improves Client Communication in 3 ways:

(Wooten, p. 6, para. 3)

• it captures the attention of the client

• it enhances the retention of the material or concepts being discussed

• it helps release the tension that can interfere with therapy or education

Humor According to Freud

• Humor is a sign of maturity.

• Humor can be a denial of reality.

• Humor is hostility masquerading as wit.

Harmful (or "Sick") Humor

(Klimes, p. 1, para. 1)

• "Is insensitive, malicious, exclusive and sarcastic;

• it ridicules, slanders, belittles and puts people down;

• includes racial or sexual subjects;

• directed at others or their life situations;

• All humor, used inappropriately, may be harmful. Above all else, do no harm."

Helpful (or "Therapeutic") Humor

(Wooten, p. 1, para. 1)

• "Gives us a feeling of control and power and can decrease anger, fear and frustration;

• can foster a positive and hopeful attitude;

• helps provide a sense of perspective on our problems;

• gives an opportunity for release of uncomfortable emotions;

• directed at ourselves or our life situations;

• Helpful humor can serve as a 'social lubricant,' is shared with others and is fun and friendly."

Planned Humor (things or "tools" ready to use that at the very least make you smile or laugh).

• cartoons or comic strips

• puns, jokes, stories, or exaggerations

• trivia, games, or activities

• posters, signs, photographs, or toys

Spontaneous Humor (moment to moment responses based on the following):

• knowledge or understanding of the client, and

• the right timing, and

• the overall appropriateness of the intervention.

Humor Counseling and "Planned Spontaneity"

(Sultanoff, 1992, p. 1, para. 4)

Humor for Managing Crises

(Sultanoff, 1995, p. 2, para. 1-6)

• Proximal distance- not harmed or greatly inconvenienced, physically on the outer edges of the crisis instead of immersed in it.

• Emotional distance- those who see the loss as temporary and as an opportunity for change and growth.

• Temporal distance- individuals who have already been separated from the problem by time ("time heals all wounds").

Staff and Volunteer Burn Out

• difficult/demanding clients

• clients who don't get better

• unrealistic workloads

• lack of support from administration

• low salaries/benefits

• risk of danger from violent clients

• public misconception

• frustration with the system

• sadness and seriousness

Humor and Caregiver Stress Management

(Wooten, p. 7, para. 2)

Using Humor Effectively with Clients

(Sultanoff, 1992, p. 1, para. 2)

Humor and Health Research

• laughter increases heart rate and blood flow (like exercise)

• laughter increases activity of various muscle groups (facial, abdominal, respiratory and others) (like exercise)

• laughter increases natural killer cells that fight against tumors

• laughter increases antibodies and antitoxins (body cells that attack invading bacteria or viruses)

• during the anticipation of laughter (when in the relaxed state), stress hormones that otherwise suppress the immune system, are decreased

• Warning: laughter may cause breathing problems for people with asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughing or hiccups.

Bibliography

Other Resources and References

(Wellness Productions, Inc.)

• Humor Matters, The Land of Mirth and Funny, http://www.humormatters.com

• The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, http://www.aath.org

• Laughing Matters, The Humor Project, http://www.humorproject.com

• Laffirmations: 1,001 Ways to Add Humor to Your Life and Work, by Joel Goodman

• Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn't Really Funny, by Annette Goodheart, Ph.D.

• Making Sense of Humor, by Lila Green

• Identity and Sense of Humor, 1995, Walter E. O'Connell, Ph.D.

• Love, Humor & Healing, 1994, Patch Adams, M.D.

• Who Says Humor Heals?, 1996, Allen Klein, M.A.

• Hospital Humor, 1997, Allen Klein, M.A.

• Psychotherapist: The Art and Application of Healing Humor, 1997, Mark Gorkin, L.C.S.W.

Practice Exercises

Must be submitted for credit.

Example 1

(Counseling Center Humor, Marcella Stark, 1995)

• "Welcome to Dr. Bob's Psychiatric Hotline.

• If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press "1" repeatedly.

• If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press "2."

• If you have a multiple personality disorder, please press "3," "4," "5," and "6."

• If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.

• If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want. Just stay on the line and we will trace the call."

Example 2

(Grin Therapy, The Counseling Connection, 1998)

Example 3

(Grin Therapy, The Counseling Connection, 1998)

• How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb?

• Only one, but the light bulb has to really want to change.

Quiz

Must be submitted for credit.

1.  Explain the differences between 
helpful versus harmful humor.

2.  Explain the differences between 
spontaneous versus planned humor.

3.  Explain how humor can be used
for crisis and stress management.

4.  Is Example 1 seen above sick or
therapeutic, spontaneous or planned,
and for staff or for clients?

5.  Is Example 2 seen above sick or
therapeutic, spontaneous or planned,
and for staff or for clients?

6.  Is Example 3 seen above sick or
therapeutic, spontaneous or planned,
and for staff or for clients?

Course Evaluation

Must be submitted for credit.

_____Poor     _____Fair     _____Good     _____Excellent

_____Poor     _____Fair     _____Good     _____Excellent

_____Poor     _____Fair     _____Good     _____Excellent

_____Poor     _____Fair     _____Good     _____Excellent

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