Anecdotal evidence suggests that humor can have positive effects on therapeutic relationship development and as a skill that can be used for interventions. Concerns that humor may be used incorrectly or be potentially harmful make many clinicians wary of utilizing humor in therapy and empirical research is in its infancy about how it can be used effectively. This workshop explores the themes of therapeutic humor, which populations might present with different humor styles, and cultural considerations when using humor.
Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify three ways that humor can have positive effects in therapy
- Plan one way to get better at using humor in therapy
- Summarize two ways that humor can be harmful in therapy
Our Presenters
Curt Widhalm, LMFT
Curt Widhalm is in private practice in the Los Angeles area. He is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) ethics committee, an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University, lecturer in Counseling Laws and Ethics at California State University Northridge, a former Law & Ethics Subject Matter Expert for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and former CFO of CAMFT. Learn more at: www.curtwidhalm.com
Katie Vernoy, LMFT
Katie Vernoy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Fullerton and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Theater from Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. Katie’s experience spans many leadership and management roles in the mental health field since getting her license in 2005: program coordinator, director, clinical supervisor, hiring manager, recruiter, and former President of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Learn more at: www.katievernoy.com
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