The use of banter in psychotherapy: A systematic literature review

Abstract

The idea that humour can be used in psychotherapy for healing experiences has gained wider acknowledgement in the psychotherapeutic literature over recent decades. Norcross and Lambert (2018), in particular, have identified therapeutic humour as a promising interpersonal construct for psychotherapy. Martin and Ford (2018) reported on the different approaches that have been taken to use humour in psychotherapy and broadly identified three areas: humour as therapy, specific therapeutic approaches and humour as a communication skill. Firstly, two therapies rely on both exaggeration and sarcasm to challenge patients. Rational-emotive therapy (Ellis & Grieger, 1986) aims to replace false beliefs, and the goal of provocative therapy (Farrelly & Lynch, 1987) is to provoke emotional responses that lead to changes in perceptions and actions.Secondly, with regard to specific therapeutic approaches, humour has been used successfully to replace progressive muscle relaxation in systematic desensitisation (Smith, 1973;Ventis, 1973).Although humour has been used as a basis to paradoxically and playfully exaggerate symptoms (Frankl, 1960;Witztum et al., 1999), one author reported that this effect is dependent on clients having low humour scores (Newton & Dowd, 1990).

Humor interventions in psychotherapy and their effect on levels of depression and anxiety in adult clients, a systematic review

“…Several authors consider humor as a useful tool in psychotherapy ( 1 , 7 , 14 , 19 , 25 , 32 ). We intended to present an overview of empirical evidence-based studies on all types of humor interventions and not just humor-related constructs like banter ( 6 ) and laughter ( 21 , 22 ). Our second goal was to present the available empirical data showing the effect of humor interventions on levels of depression and anxiety.…”

“…Although many of the writings on humor in psychotherapy have been dedicated to a sense of humor, there have been therapists who have written about strategies to consciously incorporate humor as a therapeutic tool (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). O'Brien (10) for example used the acronym SLAP (Surprise, Lightheartedness, Absurdity, and Perspective development) to instruct therapists in his study to deliberately take a humorous stance in the therapy sessions.…”

“…Some systematic reviews focused on humor-related constructs like banter ( 6 ) and laughter ( 21 , 22 ). Although banter and laughter share conceptual similarities with humor, it is important to note that although laughter has been used frequently as a measure of (perceived) humor, laughter is not the same as humor.…”

“…The same can be said about banter. Brooks et al ( 6 ) found that when they split down the concept of banter in its main components, overlap with humor was found in the literature. Therefore, in this systematic review, we consider all humorous interventions and not just interventions based on banter or laughter.…”

Learning the subtle dance: The experience of therapists who deliver mentalisation‐based therapy for borderline personality disorder

“…Therapists' experience of positive emotions within the group focused specifically on their own use of humour as a strategy for helping service users to cope with distress in the group, and for coping with therapists’ own emotions. Humour as a psychotherapeutic tool and a mechanism of change has long been recognised (e.g., Bloch et al, 1983; Franzini, 2001; Knox et al, 2017; Mann, 1991) and discussed in relation to MBT (Brooks et al, 2020; Midgley et al, 2017), although the technique may not come naturally to all therapists and carries a host of risks (Franzini, 2001). Humour must fit with the therapists' personality and be responsive to the needs of the service user (Knox et al, 2017), otherwise there is the potential that service users could misunderstand humour.…”