Therapists experience the same relationship issues we see in our offices. Although our clinical training may give us more access to our inner emotional lives than many people, we face “occupational hazards,” such as a tendency to read our partner’s mind and then explain it to them. With humility and humor, let’s explore the relational self of the therapist and how we sometimes show up in couple therapy. In this workshop, we’ll learn how to how to help fellow therapists when they come as clients to leverage their personal and professional strengths to have healthier relationships—and avoid blind spots that come with the territory.
This panel highlights the strategic use of humor in therapy to enhance connection and engagement. Madanes shares examples of humor-driven interventions, O’Hanlon emphasizes breaking mental blocks while staying grounded, and Gilligan illustrates how humor can shift obsessive thinking. All panelists agree that humor works best when it’s authentic and strengthens the therapeutic relationship.
