Humor in Couple Relationships: An Opportunity for Therapeutic Inquiry

Abstract

Humor has been a focus of therapy literature for over a century and is considered an essential communication tool and important component of therapeutic relationships. Yet couple therapy literature does not feature humor as a relational practice or strategy for couples’ relationship development. When humor presents in a therapy conversation it offers opportunities for therapists to explore the implications and meanings for the couple relationship, potentially contributing to new and enhanced relationship experience. This article provides vignettes from one couple therapy conversation to illustrate therapeutic possibilities for exploration of couples’ humor. Therapists are encouraged to pay attention to humor as a complex, dynamic, discursive practice with therapeutic benefits for couples’ therapy.