USING HUMORUSING HUMOR

in Offender in Offender CounselingCounseling

and Supervisionand Supervision

Rand L. KannenbergRand L. Kannenberg

Using Humor in Offender Counseling and Using Humor in Offender Counseling and SupervisionSupervision

Course DescriptionCourse Description

This workshop will address the following:This workshop will address the following: using humor in offender supervision and counselingusing humor in offender supervision and counseling helpful versus harmful humorhelpful versus harmful humor spontaneous versus planned humorspontaneous versus planned humor using humor for crisis and stress managementusing humor for crisis and stress management humor techniques and recommendationshumor techniques and recommendations humor research, resources and referenceshumor research, resources and references humor to increase offender satisfaction and compliancehumor to increase offender satisfaction and compliance humor to prevent staff/volunteer burnouthumor to prevent staff/volunteer burnout

Using Humor in Offender Using Humor in Offender

Counseling and SupervisionCounseling and Supervision Target AudienceTarget Audience

Addictions Addictions ProfessionalsProfessionals

Domestic Domestic Violence Violence ProfessionalsProfessionals

Parole and Parole and Probation OfficersProbation Officers

Community Community Corrections Staff Corrections Staff and Volunteersand Volunteers

Prison and Jail Prison and Jail Staff and Staff and VolunteersVolunteers

Mental Health Mental Health ProfessionalsProfessionals

Eric Noble, Ph.D.Eric Noble, Ph.D.Santa Monica, CASanta Monica, CA

19981998 ““I’m not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of I’m not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of

widths.”widths.”

““I got a dog and named him ‘Stay.’ (I would I got a dog and named him ‘Stay.’ (I would say,) ‘Come here, Stay.’ After awhile, the say,) ‘Come here, Stay.’ After awhile, the dog went insane and wouldn’t move at all.”dog went insane and wouldn’t move at all.”

““Right now I’m having amnesia and deja vu Right now I’m having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.”before.”

Using Humor in Offender Counseling and Using Humor in Offender Counseling and SupervisionSupervision

GOALS AND OBJECTIVESGOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Learn about how humor Learn about how humor can be used to increase can be used to increase offender satisfaction and offender satisfaction and compliance.compliance.

Learn about how humor Learn about how humor can be used to prevent can be used to prevent corrections corrections staff/volunteer burnout.staff/volunteer burnout.

Be able to discuss the Be able to discuss the differences between differences between helpfulhelpful versus versus harmful harmful humor.humor.

Be able to discuss the Be able to discuss the differences between differences between spontaneousspontaneous versus versus plannedplanned humor. humor.

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

Humor Improves Client Humor Improves Client

CommunicationCommunication in 3 ways:in 3 ways:

it captures the it captures the attention of the clientattention of the client

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

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

Wooten

Jennifer BermanJennifer BermanMarriage & Family ConnectionMarriage & Family Connection

One Woman’s ViewOne Woman’s View

Why Dogs Are Better Than MenWhy Dogs Are Better Than Men ““You can train a dog.”You can train a dog.” ““Dogs are good with kids.”Dogs are good with kids.” ““Dogs are already in touch with their inner Dogs are already in touch with their inner

puppies.”puppies.” ““Dogs don’t criticize your friends.”Dogs don’t criticize your friends.” ““Dogs feel guilt when they’ve done something Dogs feel guilt when they’ve done something

wrong.”wrong.”

Jennifer BermanJennifer BermanMarriage & Family ConnectionMarriage & Family Connection

One Woman’s ViewOne Woman’s View

Why Dogs And Men Are The SameWhy Dogs And Men Are The Same ““Both take up too much space on the Both take up too much space on the

bed.”bed.” ““Both have irrational fears about Both have irrational fears about

vacuum cleaning.”vacuum cleaning.” ““Both are threatened by their own kind.”Both are threatened by their own kind.” ““Both like to chew wood.”Both like to chew wood.” ““Both mark their territory.”Both mark their territory.”

Jennifer BermanJennifer BermanMarriage & Family ConnectionMarriage & Family Connection

One Woman’s ViewOne Woman’s View

Why Men Are Better Than DogsWhy Men Are Better Than Dogs ““Men only have two feet that track in mud.”Men only have two feet that track in mud.” ““Men don’t have to play with every man Men don’t have to play with every man

they see when you take them around the they see when you take them around the block.”block.”

““Men don’t eat cat turds on the sly.”Men don’t eat cat turds on the sly.” ““Dogs have dog breath all of the time.”Dogs have dog breath all of the time.” ““Holiday Inns accept men.”Holiday Inns accept men.”

Humor according to FreudHumor according to Freud

HumorHumor is a sign of maturity. is a sign of maturity.

HumorHumor can be a denial of reality. can be a denial of reality.

HumorHumor is hostility masquerading as is hostility masquerading as wit.wit.

HarmfulHarmful (or “Sick”) HumorHumor

““Is insensitive, malicious, Is insensitive, malicious, exclusive and sarcastic;exclusive and sarcastic;

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

includes racial or sexual includes racial or sexual subjects;subjects;

directed at others or their directed at others or their life situations;life situations;

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

Klimes

Eric Noble, Ph.D.Eric Noble, Ph.D.Santa Monica, CASanta Monica, CA

19981998

How to Lose Weight Without ExerciseHow to Lose Weight Without Exercise

““Jumping to conclusions…..100 calories per Jumping to conclusions…..100 calories per hourhour

Climbing the walls…..150 calories per hourClimbing the walls…..150 calories per hour Swallowing your pride…..50 calories per hourSwallowing your pride…..50 calories per hour Pushing your luck…..250 calories per hourPushing your luck…..250 calories per hour Dragging your heels…..100 calories per hour”Dragging your heels…..100 calories per hour”

Helpful Helpful (or “Therapeutic”) HumorHumor

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

can foster a positive and can foster a positive and hopeful attitude;hopeful attitude;

helps provide a sense of helps provide a sense of perspective on our problems;perspective on our problems;

gives an opportunity for release gives an opportunity for release of uncomfortable emotions;of uncomfortable emotions;

directed at ourselves or our life directed at ourselves or our life situations;situations;

Helpful humor can serve as a Helpful humor can serve as a ‘social lubricant,’ is shared with ‘social lubricant,’ is shared with others and is fun and friendly.”others and is fun and friendly.”

Wooten

PlannedPlanned versus versus SpontaneousSpontaneous HUMORHUMOR

PLANNEDPLANNED

Things “tools” ready to use Things “tools” ready to use that at the very least make that at the very least make you smile or laugh.you smile or laugh.

cartoons or comic stripscartoons or comic strips puns, jokes, stories, or exaggerationspuns, jokes, stories, or exaggerations trivia, games, or activitiestrivia, games, or activities posters, signs, photographs, or toysposters, signs, photographs, or toys

SPONTANEOUSSPONTANEOUS

Moment to moment Moment to moment responses based on:responses based on:

knowledge or understanding of the knowledge or understanding of the client, and client, and

the right timing, and the right timing, and the overall appropriateness of the the overall appropriateness of the

intervention.intervention.

Sultanoff

Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D.Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D.Mirthologist & Clinical Mirthologist & Clinical

PsychologistPsychologistIrvine, CAIrvine, CA ““There is a story of the IV drug users in a There is a story of the IV drug users in a

New York drug ‘shooting gallery.’ A New York drug ‘shooting gallery.’ A social worker discovers them sharing social worker discovers them sharing needles and is appalled. She turns to needles and is appalled. She turns to one and asks, ‘Do you know what you’re one and asks, ‘Do you know what you’re doing? Haven’t you heard about AIDS?’ doing? Haven’t you heard about AIDS?’ He turns to her and casually replies, He turns to her and casually replies, ‘Don’t worry about us. We are all ‘Don’t worry about us. We are all wearing condoms.’”wearing condoms.’”

Humor Counseling isHumor Counseling is“Planned Spontaneity”“Planned Spontaneity”

Humor Counseling isHumor Counseling is“Planned Spontaneity”“Planned Spontaneity”

““The humor is The humor is planned in that it is planned in that it is

a part of the a part of the counselor’s counselor’s

repertoire of skills repertoire of skills and like all and like all

interventions is interventions is used spontaneously used spontaneously to be most effective to be most effective

with the client.”with the client.”Sultanoff

Humor for Managing Humor for Managing CrisesCrises

Usually NOT appropriate for Usually NOT appropriate for those directly involved in the those directly involved in the crisis situation until time crisis situation until time passes.passes.

Often helps people with indirect Often helps people with indirect exposure to the emergencyexposure to the emergency (the (the majority of the people) if they have majority of the people) if they have some form of distance from the some form of distance from the problem:problem:

proximal distance-proximal distance-

not harmed or greatly inconvenienced, physically not harmed or greatly inconvenienced, physically on the outer edges of the crisis instead of on the outer edges of the crisis instead of immersed in itimmersed in it

emotional distance-emotional distance-

those who see the loss as temporary and as an those who see the loss as temporary and as an opportunity for change and growthopportunity for change and growth

temporal distance-temporal distance-

individuals who have already been separated individuals who have already been separated from the problem by time (“time heals all from the problem by time (“time heals all wounds”)wounds”)

Sultanoff

Fred & Jane MeulemeesterFred & Jane Meulemeester

““Why does the (bar association) prohibit Why does the (bar association) prohibit sex between lawyers and their clients?”sex between lawyers and their clients?”

““To prevent clients from being billed twice To prevent clients from being billed twice for essentially the same service.”for essentially the same service.”

““If you see a lawyer on a bicycle, why If you see a lawyer on a bicycle, why should you swerve to avoid hitting him?”should you swerve to avoid hitting him?”

““(Because) it might be your bicycle.”(Because) it might be your bicycle.”

Burn OutBurn Out in Corrections and Addictionsin Corrections and Addictions

“difficult/demanding clients” “clients who don’t get better” “unrealistic workloads” “lack of support from

administration” “low salaries/benefits” “risk of danger to self” “public misconception” “frustration with the system” “sadness and seriousness”

Humor Humor andand

Caregiver Stress ManagementCaregiver Stress Management

““Gallows Humor”Gallows Humor”

(Freud)(Freud)Police, Social Workers, Mental Health Police, Social Workers, Mental Health

ProfessionalsProfessionals

Style of humor that pokes fun at Style of humor that pokes fun at

tragedy, suffering or death and dying.tragedy, suffering or death and dying.

According to Freud, this form of humor is According to Freud, this form of humor is

a self care technique to convert unpleasant or a self care technique to convert unpleasant or depressed feelings into positive ones so depressed feelings into positive ones so

that the healthcare worker or that the healthcare worker or

other human service professional can be other human service professional can be sympathetic with his/her clients sympathetic with his/her clients

and their families.and their families.

May not be appropriate for clients May not be appropriate for clients

to hear or see. to hear or see.

Often seen as disrespectful or uncaring.Often seen as disrespectful or uncaring.Wooten

1. Helpful or Hurtful?1. Helpful or Hurtful?2. Spontaneous or Planned?2. Spontaneous or Planned?3. For Staff or For Clients?3. For Staff or For Clients?

““Welcome to Dr. Bob’s Psychiatric Hotline.Welcome to Dr. Bob’s Psychiatric Hotline.

If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press “1” repeatedly.If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press “1” repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press “2.”If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press “2.”

If you have a multiple personality disorder, please press If you have a multiple personality disorder, please press

““3,” “4,” “5,” and “6.”3,” “4,” “5,” and “6.”

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

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

Counseling Center Humor (Marcella Stark, 1995)

1. Helpful or Hurtful?1. Helpful or Hurtful?2. Spontaneous or Planned?2. Spontaneous or Planned?3. For Staff or For Clients?3. For Staff or For Clients?

Did you know there’s a new 12-step therapy group Did you know there’s a new 12-step therapy group for computer addicts? for computer addicts?

You start by acknowledging Bill Gates as your You start by acknowledging Bill Gates as your higher power.higher power.

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

A. Only one, but the light bulb has to really A. Only one, but the light bulb has to really wantwant to change.to change. Grin Therapy (The Counseling Connection, Grin Therapy (The Counseling Connection,

1998)1998)

Using Humor Effectively with Using Humor Effectively with ClientsClients

1. Have planned humor (the “tools”) in repertoire.1. Have planned humor (the “tools”) in repertoire.

2. Be willing to risk alienating some clients by being perceived as not taking problems seriously or 2. Be willing to risk alienating some clients by being perceived as not taking problems seriously or even as incompetent by other clients. Know that there is the potential for harming the client with even as incompetent by other clients. Know that there is the potential for harming the client with hurtful or sick humor or humor used inappropriately.hurtful or sick humor or humor used inappropriately.

3. Assess the client for sense of humor and ability to accept humorous interventions by asking the 3. Assess the client for sense of humor and ability to accept humorous interventions by asking the client what he or she enjoys, look and listen for laughter and smiling and test or try some very basic client what he or she enjoys, look and listen for laughter and smiling and test or try some very basic humor first.humor first.

4. Be prepared to respond to positive or negative reactions to the humor, talk about the reactions, 4. Be prepared to respond to positive or negative reactions to the humor, talk about the reactions, clarify and apologize as needed if the client is insulted or offended or if the humor was simply clarify and apologize as needed if the client is insulted or offended or if the humor was simply misunderstood, but then move on.misunderstood, but then move on.

5. Be capable of taking “yourself lightly and your work seriously” (don’t get defensive, allow mistakes, 5. Be capable of taking “yourself lightly and your work seriously” (don’t get defensive, allow mistakes, your “performance” doesn’t have to be perfect, show that it is okay your “performance” doesn’t have to be perfect, show that it is okay notnot to be hard on yourself). to be hard on yourself).

6. Use humor which is genuine and congruent with who you are as a person and a professional (be 6. Use humor which is genuine and congruent with who you are as a person and a professional (be sincere, honest and open).sincere, honest and open).

7. Always ask yourself, “How will this humor help my client?”7. Always ask yourself, “How will this humor help my client?”

8. Avoid gratifying your own need to be humorous and focus on how the humor can be helpful for the 8. Avoid gratifying your own need to be humorous and focus on how the humor can be helpful for the client.client.

Sultanoff

Humor and HealthHumor and HealthResearch

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

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

laughter increases natural laughter increases natural killer cells that fight against killer cells that fight against tumorstumors

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

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

Warning:

Laughter may cause breathing problems for people with asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughing or hiccups.

Resources and Resources and ReferencesReferences

Humor MattersHumor Matters

The Land of Mirth and FunnyThe Land of Mirth and Funny

(714) 654-4500(714) 654-4500

http://www.humormatters.comhttp://www.humormatters.com

American Association for American Association for

Therapeutic HumorTherapeutic Humor

(314) 863-6232(314) 863-6232

http://www.aath.orghttp://www.aath.org

Laughing MattersLaughing Matters

The Humor ProjectThe Humor Project

(518) 587-8770(518) 587-8770

http://www.humorproject.comhttp://www.humorproject.com

Laffirmations: 1,001 Ways Laffirmations: 1,001 Ways to Add Humor to Your Life to Add Humor to Your Life and Workand Work

by Joel Goodmanby Joel Goodman Laughter Therapy: How to Laughter Therapy: How to

Laugh About Everything in Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn’t Really Your Life That Isn’t Really FunnyFunny

by Annette Goodheart, Ph.D.by Annette Goodheart, Ph.D. Making Sense of HumorMaking Sense of Humor

by Lila Greenby Lila Green

Wellness Productions, Inc.Wellness Productions, Inc.

Practice Small Group ExercisesPractice Small Group Exercises1. Write a joke or a silly story, draw a 1. Write a joke or a silly story, draw a

funny picture or cartoon, or come up funny picture or cartoon, or come up with another planned tool to keep in with another planned tool to keep in your office or group room to be used your office or group room to be used for crisis management with an for crisis management with an addicted offender population (you addicted offender population (you decide on appropriate age range).decide on appropriate age range).

2. Write a joke or a silly story, draw a 2. Write a joke or a silly story, draw a funny picture or cartoon, or come up funny picture or cartoon, or come up with another planned tool to use at with another planned tool to use at a corrections and/or substance a corrections and/or substance abuse team meeting or to hang up abuse team meeting or to hang up on the bulletin board in the staff on the bulletin board in the staff lounge to help with stress lounge to help with stress management and prevent burnout.management and prevent burnout.

Using Humor in Offender Using Humor in Offender Counseling and SupervisionCounseling and Supervision

BibliographyBibliography Healing HumorHealing Humor, 1998, Rudolf E. Klimes, Ph.D., MPH, 1998, Rudolf E. Klimes, Ph.D., MPH Using Humor in the Counseling RelationshipUsing Humor in the Counseling Relationship, 1992, , 1992,

Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D.Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D. Using Humor in Crisis SituationsUsing Humor in Crisis Situations, 1995, , 1995,

Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D.Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D. The Impact of Humor in the Counseling RelationshipThe Impact of Humor in the Counseling Relationship, 1992,, 1992,

Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D.Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D. Laughter as Therapy for Patient and CaregiverLaughter as Therapy for Patient and Caregiver, 1995,, 1995,

Patty Wooten, R.N., BSN, CCRNPatty Wooten, R.N., BSN, CCRN Identity and Sense of HumorIdentity and Sense of Humor, 1995, , 1995,

Walter E. O’Connell, Ph.D.Walter E. O’Connell, Ph.D. Love, Humor & HealingLove, Humor & Healing, 1994, Patch Adams, M.D., 1994, Patch Adams, M.D. Who Says Humor Heals?Who Says Humor Heals?, 1996, Allen Klein, M.A., 1996, Allen Klein, M.A. Hospital HumorHospital Humor, 1997, Allen Klein, M.A., 1997, Allen Klein, M.A. Psychohumorist: The Art and Application of Healing HumorPsychohumorist: The Art and Application of Healing Humor, 1997, , 1997,

Mark Gorkin, L.C.S.W.Mark Gorkin, L.C.S.W.