Humour on the Couch: Exploring Humour in Psychotherapy and in Everyday Life Paperback – 15 Jun 2000
by Alessandra Lemma (Author)
The aim of this book is primarily to highlight humour?s communicative, relational and innovative value in everyday life and in the privileged space, carved out of everyday life, that is psychotherapy. Chapter one describes philosophical, social and psychological perspectives on humour. In Chapters two and three humour is presented as a form of playing which originates in the earliest exchanges between mother and baby and which confers significant advantages on our adaption. In Chapter four the relationship between physical and mental health and humour is examined in the light of the research literature from psychology and medicine. Chapter five restricts itself to a discussion of psychoanalytic views on humour in psychotherapy. Finally, chapter six reviews evolutionary perspectives of humour.
Product details
Paperback: 210 pages
Publisher: Wiley (15 Jun. 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1861561458
ISBN-13: 978-1861561459
Product Dimensions: 20 x 1.5 x 25 cm
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,042,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Review
“There s evidence to suggest that laughter has beneficial effects…we need more studies to better understand the relationship.” ( Reader’s Digest, August 2006)
“There s evidence to suggest that laughter has beneficial effects…we need more studies to better understand the relationship.” (Reader’s Digest, August 2006)
From the Back Cover
The aim of this book is primarily to highlight humour?s communicative, relational and innovative value in everyday life and in the privileged space, carved out of everyday life, that is psychotherapy. Chapter one describes philosophical, social and psychological perspectives on humour. In Chapters two and three humour is presented as a form of playing which originates in the earliest exchanges between mother and baby and which confers significant advantages on our adaption. In Chapter four the relationship between physical and mental health and humour is examined in the light of the research literature from psychology and medicine. Chapter five restricts itself to a discussion of psychoanalytic views on humour in psychotherapy. Finally, chapter six reviews evolutionary perspectives of humour.
Brilliant, funny, intelligent, important, essential reading.
By A Customer on 22 Dec. 1999
This book is a ‘must read’ for everyone who works or studies psychology, psychotherapy and psychiatry. It is intelligently researched yet easily understood, sensitively argued yet full of hilarious anecdotes that underscore the importance of understanding humour in all aspects of mental health. Alessandra Leema challenges therapists the world over to be more courageous about introducing comic elements to the process of healing. As a result this book is also a delight for anyone who has experienced therapy. All too often in my experience the whole process is tragically empty of comic relief. This book helps explain why this may be and points the way forwards to a more optimistic future. As a psychotherapist myself I was inspired and relieved to have my basic instinct for humour in therapy validated. Perhaps there may even be a time soon in which the psychology of humour is included in all psychological trainings. EXCELLENT.