Laughter as Medicine
Christine Hayes uses laughter therapy to help people lead better lives.
Christine Hayes
Profession: Program Director and Licensed Professional Counselor certified in laughter therapy for Southwest Behavioral & Health Services.
Age: 46
What do you do for a living?
I make people laugh and use laughter therapy as a form of treatment to help individuals overcome mental health challenges. I am also an active member of the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor and the World Laughter Tour.
What type of training do you need to do your job?
Offering support and care for individuals struggling with mental health is a very important job. I have had and continue to receive a lot of training to help me do my job. Some of the classes include leadership skills training, clinical supervision, and continued laughter therapy certifications.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I love to build teams and inspire hope. My laughter therapy skills enable me to help others increase their happiness levels and live better lives.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A cosmetologist and a counselor (both help people feel good about themselves and listen to people’s life stories).
What advice would you give to a kid who wants to have a similar career?
Do what you enjoy and what brings you happiness. If you do, you will feel satisfied and hopefully believe that you have the best job ever! Whenever our jobs are focused on helping others to feel better, we also feel good, and it increases our happiness. How great is that?
One fun fact about your job?
Laughter has the opposite effect of stress on our bodies.
