If you are a clinician looking for more information on comedy therapy, click here: https://www.comedyistherapy.com/consultationsupervision

Comedy Therapy

Improv comedy +
mindful self-compassion =
Play Therapy for grown-ups

Are you struggling with feelings of disconnection and isolation? Are you too self-critical or perfectionistic and want to work on your self-esteem and sense of self? Do you want to learn how to let go, have fun, and live in the moment? Do you want to get more in touch with your playful and creative inner child? Does the idea of doing improv comedy make you feel nervous, but you’re intrigued? Do you like to laugh?

Within a small supportive group of 6-8 people that meets for eight weeks, you will learn how to be more compassionate towards yourself so that you can feel calmer and more connected to other people, more often! You will practice your self-compassion skills in real time through tailored improv comedy exercises that are designed to support you on the path towards increasing your self-acceptance and self-confidence.

At its core, improv comedy helps you to take risks, make mistakes, and not take yourself so seriously. We will laugh a lot : )

Please free to call or email if you have any questions about comedy therapy at all!

Details

Location: Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church (1100 Fillmore St.). Parking is easy usually. Meet at the entrance on Fillmore St. by the bicycle rack.
Weekly Groups Currently Held On:
Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Daytime Option TBD - please inquire!
Group Duration: Each group experience is 8 weeks long.
Group Make-Up: 6-8 people with similar goals for the group. This group is the best fit for people struggling with a mild to moderate amount of anxiety and/or depression. We really strive to create cohesive groups!
Cost: To be sustainable for both the therapist and the improviser, the cost is $80 per 2-hour session. We don’t accept insurance, but we can provide a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance company directly for reimbursement.
Required Reading: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Neff and Germer.
COVID: Vaccinations required; masks no longer required at this time.

To sign up, please fill out this interest form below:

More details can also be found here:

This lovely Counseling Today magazine article where Dr. Alison is interviewed : )

NPR Life Kit on how improv can make you more confident: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129907651/improv-can-build-confidence-heres-how-to-apply-it-to-your-everyday-life

And if you are lucky enough to speak Japanese, you can read this article about our program too: https://madamefigaro.jp/series/yukai/Sekaiyukai-LA-health.html

The academic journal article written by Dr. Alison and the clinicians who were running Second City’s Improv for Anxiety Program in Chicago: Phillips Sheesley, A., Pfeffer, M., & Barish, B. (2016). Comedic improv therapy for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 11(2), 157-169. doi:10.1080/15401383.2016.1182880. Retrieved from ResearchGate.

If Loneliness Is an Epidemic, How Do We Treat It?: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/14/opinion/treating-loneliness.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Loved this study! https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2713374523000201