A Recreation Therapists Guide To Humor

*This course has been pre-approved by NCTRC for 5 clock hours.

Learners will gain an understanding of the history of humor and medicine, physiological and psychological benefits of laughter, when to incorporate humor into your RT programs and be provided with examples of laughter exercises. At the completion of this course, participants will need to pass an exam with a minimum score of 70%. Participants must complete the course within 365 days of starting the course to receive a completion certificate.
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Course Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify 2 methods in assessing a client’s sense of humor.

  • Students will be able to identify the 4 developmental stages of laughter.

  • Students will learn and be able to demonstrate 3 simple laughing exercises they can incorporate with their clients.

  • Students will be able to identify 2 key people who influenced the use of humor in medicine.

Carolyn Breinich, MA, CTRS/CCLS

Instructor Bio:

I earned my Bachelor Degree in Zoology from Ohio State University. While completing my degree I did an internship at the Dolphin Research Center, where I focused on animal assisted therapy utilizing Dolphins. I earned my Masters Degree in Recreational Therapy from The University of Toledo, so I could combine my love of animals with my desire to help people. I trained my dog, Velvet, to be a certified therapy dog. For ten years, we visited schools, nursing homes and hospitals. As a graduate student at The University of Toledo, I taught RT Intervention: Pet Assisted Therapy course. I became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in 2006, I became a Child-Life Specialist in 2009, and I worked in Long-Term Care, Adult and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Adult and Adolescent Psych and with Individuals with Disabilities.

Carolyn Breinich, MA, CTRS/CCLS

SMART Instructor