1. This document discusses using humor and metaphors in counseling work. It provides research showing the benefits of humor, such as reducing stress and strengthening relationships. 2. Guidelines are presented for appropriate use of humor, including observing a client's mood, starting slowly, and ensuring the humor is relevant and not a put-down. 3. Metaphors are discussed as a way to help clients understand concepts through familiar comparisons. Examples of career metaphors like describing software development as building a cathedral are provided.

1. Using Humor & Metaphors in Your WorkCPAD Darren Kaltved, M.Ed.Vic Massaglia, M.A.

2. "He who laughs; lasts."~ Anonymous"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." ~ Victor Borge

3. How Many Times A Day Do Adults Laugh?

4. 150-40015Laughs per Day9080706050403020100Grown upsChildrenFake Graph, Smith 2004 ;43 (2), Imaginary Journal

5. AdultsKidsLaughs per DayAnother Fake Graph, Smith 2005 ;43 (2), Imaginary Journal

6. Benefits of HumorHolistic Treatment of the critically ill & terminally illAdds in defending against infectionsGood for respiratory and cardio vascular system – stimulates immune systemReduces stressOne of the best devices to combat burn-outNevo & Foster

7. How Does Humor Help the Counseling Relationship?(if you agree it does)

8. How Does Humor Help the Counseling Relationship?Building the relationship: it produces a bond between the therapist and the client. It also facilitates rapport and self-disclosure (Golding & Bordan, 1999). According to Maples et al. (2001) it helps establish a more collaborative and friendly relation. Increasing Communication and Attending: through humor, messages can be expressed in an indirect and less threatening way, allowing the client to attend and understand what is being said.

9. How Does Humor Help the Counseling Relationship?Changing Feelings: humor allows people to experience for a period of time a relief from their depressive or anxious mood. Changing Thoughts: humor allows clients to change the way they perceive different situations by giving a new perspective or through incongruity. Changing Behavior: when people are in a better mood they become more active, may try out new activities.

10. HUMOR’S EFFECTIVENESS:A “CLEESIAN” PERSPECTIVEI. Humor facilitates learning.II. Humor helps change people’s behavior.III. Humor promotes an increase in creativity.IV. Humor reduces stress.From the videotape “Humor Is Not A Luxury” by John Cleese, available from Video Arts

11. Five Things Humor Will Do For You:Releases negative emotions such as anger & guilt Improves enthusiasm for work Reduces inhibitions & increases self-confidence Humorous people face life's problems better Sense of humor is the #1 romantically attractive trait Kevin Lee Smith

12. KEYS TO THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF HUMORRelationshipRapportSettingTimingJim Winter - www.wavelength.biz

13. I. RELATIONSHIPKnow your audienceMake your intentions clearTell stories with a purpose

14. II. RAPPORTUnderstand your audience’s feelingsShould be laughing with, not at someoneObtain permission to tease

15. Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever“2001 summer Voluntary work for taking care of the elderly and vegetable people”Candidate wrote resume as a play – Act 1, Act 2, etc.Under “job related skills” – for a web designer – “can function without additional oxygen at 24,000 feet”.One applicant for a nursing position noted that she didn’t like dealing with blood or needles.“Seeking a party-time position with potential for advancement.”

16. Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever“Able to say the ABCs backward in under five seconds.”“Personal interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far.”“Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.”Skills: “I have integrity so I will not steal office supplies and take them home.”Objective: “I would like to work for a company that is very lax when it comes to tardiness.”References: “Bill, Tom, Eric. But I don’t know their phone numbers.”Awards: “National record for eating 45 eggs in two minutes.”Education: “I have a bachelorette degree in computers.”

17. III. SETTINGMake sure the humor is appropriate for the spaceRespect everyone within earshotHumor should enhance, not distract

18. IV. TIMINGAllow time for the imagination to workNever rush a punch lineRemember the non-verbal pathway to humor

19. KEYS TO THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF HUMORRelationshipRapportSettingTimingAreas of Humor to Avoid

20. AREAS OF HUMOR TO LIKELY AVOIDPolitics SexualEthnic\RacialReligious \ PoliticalHostile \ SickDemeaning to Men \ WomenGraveyard

21. How Can Humor Be Destructive?

22. Guidelines for the proper use of humor in counselingThere are certain considerations that the counselor must think of before applying humor in the counseling process. Some of these are: Observe the client student's mood to determine if the humor will be appreciated or not (Tichacek, n.d.) Start slowly (Tichacek, n.d.) Make it relevant to the student's situation (Tichacek, n.d.)

23. Guidelines for the proper use of humor in counselingDo not use humor as a put-down (Gladdin, 1995) Do not use it too frequently because it becomes boring (Gladdin, 1995) Use it in an appropriated time (Gladdin, 1995) Consider the student's sense of humor (Gladdin, 1995)

24. HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMORLook for humor in everythingCollect humorSmile moreParticipate in humorous activitiesHang out with funny people – try the humor buddy systemUse humor in your correspondence \ surveys \ tests

25. Try out other styles \ forms of humor

26. Tell stories on yourself

27. Have some sort of humor always at the readyHOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMORCollect HumorKeep a journal \ file \ bulletin board \ library of: Books Magazines Cartoons Headlines Jokes Stories Excuses Oxymoron's Signs Anecdotes Videos \ Audio Tapes

28. What Are the Multicultural Implications?

29. Prayer:God Grant Me the Senility to Forget the People I NeverLiked Anyway, the Good Fortune to Run Into the Ones IDo, and the Eyesight to Tell the Difference.

30. Take your work seriously--and yourself lightly"From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere."~Dr. Seuss

31. “Key metaphors help determine what and how we perceive and how we think about our perceptions.” ~M. H. Abrams

32. “Time is Money”What do you think of when you hear this?What images come to mind?

33. Metaphorical ThinkingMetaphorical Thinking:A direct comparison between two unrelated or indirectly linked things. (a bridge between the new and the familiar)Can be used to improve communications: They can add impact or can help you explain a difficult concept by association with a more familiar one. It can be a good way to build connections because the human mind tends to look for similarities (Making Truth: Metaphor in Science, T.L. Brown, 2003). For instance, scientists will describe the distribution of mass in the universe as foam-like or that the earth is like a living organism.

34. As for career counselors, we also have the opportunity to describe career development concepts using metaphors – especially new concepts or ideassuch as the relationship between dating and interviewing.Branding – branding products or servicesThe world is your canvas, what picture do you want to paint?What other metaphors do you use?

35. How do we make this work?They key to instituting this methodology is to get students or clients to awaken their image-thinking part of their brain. Ever wonder why the word “Image” is the root word for “Imagination?”A word is worth a thousand pictures! Create a whole new world of perception, understanding and experience – a clearer meaningEinstein once said “I rarely think in words at all”Use physical drawings or pictures to create visualizationWikipedia or Google ImagesDon’t just stick with one metaphor…have alternates

36. ExamplesSoftware Development at Microsoft:Microsoft builds its software in conditions of considerable security. The software developers are large groups of skilled professionals who are kept separate from other employees under the authority of a senior project manager. HERE IS WHAT THEY ACTUALLY SAID…Microsoft…(builds its) software like cathedrals, in that a cloistered team of software developers work…much as medieval cathedrals were built by vast armies of craftsmen under the authority of a bishop or high cleric. WHAT NEW IMAGERY WAS CREATED IN THE ACTUAL STATEMENT?Images: Messages: Cathedral More Physical Cloister More Visual Armies More Romantic Craftsmen Less Bald

37. ExamplesAsked to use a metaphor to describe their careers, over 50% used the word “Journey”Words:Career PathCareer ExplorationCareer Ladder or Career PlateauProgress, Climb, Destination, Map, Track, Journey, PathFit, Match (Assessment-oriented)Phrases:Your career is a journey not a destinationI want my career to be on the fast-trackInterviewing is like going on a first date…It’s a roller-coaster rideIt is like fitting a square peg into a round holeWhat about descriptors – the more the better. Remember your goal - to create understanding!

38. ResourcesNevo, O. (1996). Uses of humor in career counseling. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, March, 188-196.Bordan, T. & Goldin, E. (1999). The use of humor in counseling: The laughing cure. Journal of Counseling and Development, Fall (77), 405-410.Metaphorical Thinking: Using comparisons to express ideas and solve problemshttp://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_93.htm Unlock the Power of Metaphorical Thinkinghttp://www.innovationtools.com/Articles/ArticleDetails.asp?a=188Promoting Metaphorical Thinking Through Synectics: Developing deep thinking utilizing abstractionshttp://facstaff.bloomu.edu/dwalker/Conference%20Information/IUT/Synectics.pdf

39. Resources to Get Your Started Article from Monster.com about Workplace humor:http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/Work-Life-Balance/Workplace-Humor-Guide/article.aspxCareer Counseling "spoof" from GW Law School:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsnZQik4-Ys&feature=player_embedded# Silly Job Interview - Monty Python:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP0sqRMzkwoCareer Metaphors and Their Application to Theory and Counseling Practicehttp://www.virtualhabitats.com/Students/CareerCounselorWebquest/Career%20Metaphors.pdfMetaphor: A new way of thinking about careers (NCDA)http://www.associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/5132/_PARENT/layout_details_cc/falseThinkBlocks Tutorial: Metaphors and Similieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr0-kMlWJgw&feature=related

40. Questions?

41. Fun Videos/Resourceshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asxUtX8Hyd4&feature=relatedhttp://www.laughterremedy.com/

42. Ever wonder what an interview at IKEA is like?