Intervening during crises of life transitions: Promoting a sense of humor as a stress moderator

The numerous crisis situations associated with life cycle transitions present the mental health professional with numerous intervention opportunities. Since a good sense of humor can assist in the mediation of stress, a crisis intervention technique designed to enrich a person's appreciation of humor during and after life cycle transitions has therapeutic merit. Toward this goal, the author has designed an imagery technique which permits the enhancement of a person's sense of humor. Guiding clients towards the generation of humor at the imagery level has been found to be therapeutically beneficial. Methods of intervention utilizing the factors of absurdity, incongruity and exaggeration are discussed in promoting an adaptive sense of humor.