The Power Of Laughter. How Humour Can Help Heal In Therapy.

Laughter in the Therapy Session

When was the last time you had a good, hearty laugh? The kind that left your sides aching, tears streaming down your face, and all your worries feeling far, far away. There’s something magical about laughter—it’s spontaneous, it’s infectious, and it has this almost supernatural ability to make everything feel lighter. What if I told you that this simple act of laughter, the kind you share with friends or even a therapist, could actually be a powerful tool for healing?

In the realm of psychotherapy, humour and laughter aren’t just reserved for sitcoms or light-hearted banter—they have become essential elements that we therapists increasingly tap into. This might come as a surprise since therapy is often associated with serious, emotionally charged conversations. But here’s the thing: humour doesn’t take away from the seriousness of a session. If anything, it enhances it.

Breaking Down Walls with a Giggle

Imagine yourself entering into a therapy session for the first time, feeling anxious and uncertain about the whole process. You might be carrying emotional baggage that feels too heavy to unpack. Now imagine your therapist cracks a light joke, or perhaps they share a story that makes you smile. Suddenly, the tension lessens, and you feel a little more at ease. That’s the power of humour—it disarms. It allows people to feel safe and comfortable, creating an environment where trust can be built more easily.

I have found that humour works as a bridge, helping my clients and I connect on a deeper, more human level. Therapy is all about breaking down walls, and laughter can be the perfect tool to gently chip away at those barriers. It reminds us that even amidst the darkest times, there's still room for light.

Laughter as Emotional Release

Psychotherapy can involve diving deep into painful experiences or long-standing emotional challenges. It can feel heavy and overwhelming, but laughter offers a much-needed break in those intense moments. Just as crying can release pent-up emotions, so can laughter—only in a way that feels lighter and more freeing.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, our brain’s feel-good chemicals. It's like nature’s built-in antidepressant! When you're in the middle of an emotionally charged session and you suddenly laugh, it helps shift the energy. That giggle or belly laugh allows for a moment of reprieve, offering a break from the intensity and even helping you process difficult emotions more fluidly. Think of it as a valve that lets out steam before the pressure gets too overwhelming.

A New Perspective, Served with a Smile

Ever notice how when you laugh about something, it instantly feels less threatening? Humour can transform the way we perceive situations, even painful ones. I use well placed humour in my work  as a gentle way to help clients see their problems from a new angle. When we laugh at ourselves, or at the absurdity of certain situations, it can lessen their grip on us.

This approach doesn’t mean trivialising real pain, but rather using humour to gain perspective. It’s a way to look at life’s challenges and think, “Okay, maybe I don’t have to take this so seriously.” Humour can help shift rigid thinking and allows for cognitive flexibility, which is key in therapy. It fosters creativity, enabling us to problem-solve in ways we hadn’t considered before. Suddenly, something that felt like a massive roadblock becomes just another part of life’s strange (and often humorous) journey.

Lighten the Load, Deepen the Conversation

There’s a common misconception that using humour in therapy is somehow avoiding the deeper issues. Actually, I feel it’s quite the opposite. Humour doesn’t push away difficult conversations; it often invites them. Think about it: if you’re able to laugh about something, you’re also making room to talk about it. It softens the edges of painful experiences and makes them more approachable.

For example, clients who struggle with perfectionism (certainly in the sexy department) might be led to laugh at the impossible standards they’ve set for themselves, not as a way to  mock, but to make those standards seem less powerful. This laugh isn't empty; it’s deeply meaningful. It says, “Look, I see it now. This is a bit ridiculous, isn’t it?” And from there, real change can begin.

Healing Through Shared Joy

A therapeutic relationship, like any relationship, thrives on connection. Laughter has a beautiful way of building rapport and trust. When a therapist and a client share a moment of humour, it can feel like they’re in it together, navigating the ups and downs as a team. That shared experience of joy, even for a fleeting second, can create a bond that makes the therapeutic process more effective.

It’s important to remember that humour in therapy is not forced. A good therapist knows when it’s appropriate to weave humour into the conversation, and when it’s time to sit with the sadness, anger, or grief. But when humour is used skillfully, it can create moments of joy that ripple out far beyond the therapy room.

It’s Not All Serious Business

The idea that healing has to be solemn is outdated. Life is serious enough, and therapy—while profound—can also be a space for joy, playfulness, and yes, laughter. Humour reminds us of our resilience, that we can still find light even when the path feels dark. It's a gentle reminder that, even in the middle of working through tough emotions, we don’t have to lose our capacity for joy.

So, the next time you find yourself laughing during therapy, don’t feel like you’re wasting precious time or skirting around the issues. You’re actually doing something incredibly therapeutic. You’re allowing yourself to heal in a way that only laughter can offer, with its blend of vulnerability, joy, and release. And in the process, you’re reminded that life, with all its twists and turns, is better navigated with a smile—or at least a few good giggles along the way.

If you want to know more about laughter and the benefits it can hold in therapy take a look at this study done in 2022 by Elizabeth Briggs and Alison Owen

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/capr.12525