Laughter brings healing

By Karin Franken

PROVOCATIVE therapy is describes as the clinical application of humour and reverse psychology in medicine and psychotherapy.
A medical doctor and Wits graduate who lives in London, Brian Kaplan believes it’s important to get people to laugh at their own jokes.
While on a working holiday to South Africa with his family, Kaplan recently delivered a lecture on the subject at the Chief Rabbi Harris Community Centre on Glenhove.
He was swamped with requests from visitors for one-on-one consultations but unfortunately Kaplan and family are flying back to England next week.
Kaplan meanwhile believes South Africans already apply provocative therapy or reverse psychology in their lives. “You just needs to look at the cartoon showing vegetables and the SA Minister of Health to get the picture,” he said, laughing.
Kaplan went on to explain how we often stood in the way of our own happiness. Many people he counseled were looking to be in good relationships. “Since using provocative therapy we’ve been invited to a number of weddings!” he added.
Provocative therapy is seen as emulating what close friends tell each other. “It’s a professional way to safely use humour as treatment but only when appropriate,” Kaplan added/ The person looking for help must feel the therapist is sincere before blasting the nonsense away with humour. But before applying any form of therapy it was important to exclude medical conditions such as low thyroid, brain tumour or diabetes as these can sometimes manifest initially with psychiatric symptoms.
Kaplan comes to Joburg every year and stays with his mother in Norwood. When he’s not traveling, lecturing or counseling he plays chess, keeps fit and watches comedy shows. His favourite comedians are Jackie Mason and the late Bill Hicks.