ABSTRACT
Charlie Chaplin's image of humour as a "benevolent custodian of the mind" helpfully situates humour in an object relational frame: at its best, he seems to be implying that in the humorous exchange or the moment of laughter the self is being is some way "looked after". The development, or rediscovery, of the capacity for humour may be one of the positive outcomes of an analysis. Indeed, George Christie helpfully argues that in the same way that "playful engagement" supports the baby's development; humourous exchanges in analysis can also be facilitative. Some patients may indeed gain from exchanges with an analyst who can use humour to gently engage them in thinking about something they cannot otherwise bear to face. The use of humour by the analyst, or even sharing a moment of laughter with the patient, can only be conceived as presenting moment-to-moment benefits rather than as any kind of overall therapeutic strategy.
