Humor is a cultural thing, at least in its delivery or content. By that I mean that many people find humor in different things based on their cultural background or surroundings. For me, I have always found that the therapy sessions I find to be most rewarding are ones where the therapist has been humorous, or at least receptive to humor. 

During my marriage, which lasted 7 years, I sought counseling on a few occassions to deal with the issues surrounding my partner, who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The first counselor I accessed thought it was better to discuss my issues with my weight, which I have been dealing with since infancy, and my "belief" (his word) that I was gay. These discussions were very serious and ineffective. Near the end, I felt that not only was he not listening to me, my anxiety issues were increasing. 

The next time I accessed support, the counselor was very open to my issues, accepting of my situation and proved to be helpful. However, the sessions were again very serious, arduous, and relatively slow to see any progress. While I felt comfortable enough to discuss my situation, there was less of a connection. 

Finally, the most recent time, the counselor I saw was very receptive to my sarcastic and informal way of discussing my issues. She would joke around with me, allow me to through in some respectful but off hand comments when I felt, and opened up my ability to share deeper thoughts about myself than I thought possible. Within a couple of sessions, I was far more relaxed, open to analyzing my issues, and willing to take her suggestions and analysis of my situation. I was surprised at how quickly my issues resolved themselves, and how much I grew in such a short time. 

In researching more about the use of humor in therapy, I do realize that the use of humor is a cultural consideration. Many people do not share the way I view the world or feel that this is a proper venue for such deliberate informality. However, laughter is a powerful tool and very therapeutic. It relaxed me, opened my ability to share, and made me more receptive to change. At least that's how I see it.