Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn't Really Funny [Paperback]

Annette Goodheart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

Laughter Therapy is a two-part book. Part one is a theoretical framework for understanding laughter and other forms of catharsis. Included are case studies and examples of laughter. Part one and two are liberally sprinkled with appropriate quotes. Part two contains 25 ways to help yourself laugh and how to relearn to laugh without ridicule in order to maximize healing and connection with ourselves, each other and the universe.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Annette Goodheart's book can open your life to the vital, spacious dimension of laughter. The possibilities become endless. Goodheart knows the healing power of hilarity, and nothing -- not the most profound sadness or the most tormenting trouble -- can long withstand the light she brings with her to light the darkness with our lives." -- Janet Roach, Screenwriter Prizzi's Honor

"I am thrilled that Dr. Goodheart's work is finally in print! Her work is indeed unique and wonderful!" -- Violet Oaklander, Ph.D., Gestalt Therapist; Author, Windows to Our Children

Dr. Annette Goodheart is a real pioneer in helping people throughout the world realize the healing power of laughter. She has developed techniques that have allowed her clients to heal deep emotional wounds and then move on to healthier and happier living. In her book, Laughter Therapy, she explains that her goal in writing it is to empower one to bring more healing laughter into one's life and to become "laughter independent." She outlines three myths about laughter that keep us from laughing. The first myth is that we must have a reason to laugh; the second is that we laugh because we are happy; and the third is that a sense of humor is the same thing as laughter. She dispels these myths and reveals what she believes to be the reality of laughter.

This book is a must for those who want to learn more about the effects of laughter on our well-being. It has practical suggestions on how to begin your own laughter therapy, a much needed commodity in today's world. -- Kathie McWilliams, Executive Director of Joyful Child

Goodheart's book shows us that "life is terribly real and sad. It's too easy to believe that's all the story. Life is also very, very funny." -- Charles T. Tart, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley; Author, Waking-Up!

About the Author

Annette Goodheart, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist in private practice in Santa Barbara, California. She has worked with cathartic processes - particularly laughter - since 1970. Dr. Goodheart conducts training intensives for professionals and lectures and leads workshops nationally and internationally. She has been featured on numerous radio and television programs and is an expert at helping people relearn the art of laughing, without ridicule, about those aspects of their lives that aren't really funny.

Product Details

• Paperback: 149 pages
• Publisher: Less Stress Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936941057
• ISBN-13: 978-0936941059
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There isn't ANYONE who won't benefit from this book!, November 9, 1999

By 

Diana Rossi (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn't Really Funny (Paperback)

Every single line in this marvelous book contains wisdom, good sense, and simple yet profoundly logical advice that we should apply to every day of our lives. You'll find yourself reading lines over several times to better remember what they say about the importance of laughter, how it can be misused, and how it can add immeasurably to our quality of life. Written with intelligence and humor in easy-to-read, conversational style, the author shows us that laughter should not be "laughed off" as unnecessary, unproductive or frivolous. I found myself repeatedly saying "what a great thought" or "what a fabulous idea." For those with problems, illnesses or aspects of their lives that are not really funny, this book offers rock-solid solutions for using laughter therapy to help you deal and cope in dramatically better ways. Few, if any, of us don't have stress or problems that drain our physical and emotional reservoirs -- and so, this book has inspiring, universal appeal. Light bulbs will go on for you when you read this unique book that will help you communicate more deeply, directly and enjoyably with others -- and with yourself. Life is often tragic and very real, and this book proves that it is also enormously funny. I would buy this book as a gift for everyone you know! There won't be anyone who won't thank you a thousand times over for it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget jokes! Put the power of laughter into your own hands!!!, November 29, 2009

By 

J. Charney - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn't Really Funny (Paperback)

There are countless number of books, movies, and internet sites for jokes and that is not what this book is about. The hard earned wisdom distilled into this book is far more important and useful than that! The author, Annette Goodheart, is a pioneer in discovering how important laughter is to our mental and physical health and how it can help us through life's many down turns. Most importantly, it provides guidance on HOW TO LAUGH WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM ANYONE OR ANYTHING ELSE - even when we are at our lowest physical or mental state. It also teaches us the different types of humor - that which connects and that which separates people.

We all need to understand that laughter has the power to heal virtually anything, but also the power to hurt immensely. The author describes how laughter can be misunderstood and heavily discouraged at times due to social norms and prejudices. Through her personal experiences and those of her clients we learn to put the power of laughter into our own hands and use it daily to maintain and improve our health and happiness. The most important thing to learn from this book is: Do not wait to be happy in order to laugh - rather laugh now, even in your worst mood, and the laughter will lift you towards happiness - perhaps not all at once, but it will have a noticeable positive effect! It is a life skill we can learn and this book shows us how.

4 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Groucho was right!, March 1, 2005

By 

Jay A. Wescott (St. Paul, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn't Really Funny (Paperback)

Save your money and for sure don't buy this book! The only funny thing stated in this book was from Groucho Marx. He said, "From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Someday I intend reading it." In respect for Groucho, I would have this to say to him, I read the book and there was nothing funny or laughable except for your quote.