Humour and the Therapeutic Relationship

Abstract

This capstone is an investigation of the role humour plays in healing and as a part of the therapeutic relationship. Forming a therapeutic relationship is challenging and central, offering many benefits, to one’s wellness. By critically dissecting a body of recent and seminal literature in the field of psychology and humour, this capstone seeks to understand the role of humour — physiologically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually — in the therapeutic relationship while examining the possible benefits and risks of humour in the therapeutic relationship. This capstone dissects the ethics of humour and the importance of understanding one’s intersectionality related to humour use. Additionally, the capstone proposes a creative mind-body way, based on mindfulness principals, for therapists to further explore the integration of ethical awareness and antiracist humour as a part of therapy practice.