“Therapeutic clowning is a form of medical therapy that relies on the use of humor, playfulness, and comedy to help patients cope with physical and mental health issues. It is typically conducted by professional clowns who are trained in therapeutic clowning techniques. The goal of this guide is to provide an overview of therapeutic clowning, its history, benefits, challenges, and techniques in order to better understand how it works and how it can be used to help people in medical settings. This guide will also explore different therapeutic clown organizations and provide real-world examples of successful therapeutic clowning programs.

History of Therapeutic Clowning

The practice of therapeutic clowning is a long and interesting one, stretching back centuries and spanning countries and cultures. You might think of clowns as figures who bring laughter to the circus, but they’ve been used as far back as Ancient Greece in various contexts as healers, attendants, and counselors.

There are also records of clowns being used to help treat mental illness in the 19th century with the advent of modern-day psychiatry. Since then, therapeutic clowning has become increasingly popular with institutions of all types, from hospitals to schools and other settings.

What Are Therapeutic Clowns?

Therapeutic clowns (also known as medical clowns) are professionals trained to use clowning, art, music, theatre, and other forms of play and entertainment to bring joy and lighten the mood of those they interact with. They often work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and doctor’s clinics to help patients feel better and promote healing.

When and How Does Therapeutic Clowning Work?

Therapeutic clowning is a unique form of therapy that involves using clowning techniques and props to make people laugh and create a relaxed atmosphere. It has been used for years to help children and adults cope with pain, stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues.

Therapeutic clowns utilize a variety of techniques to encourage positive emotions and reactions, such as improvising funny skits, playing music, acting out stories, creating art projects, and more. These activities can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and increase communication skills.

Therapeutic Clowns in Contemporary Medicine

Therapeutic clowning has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that it really came to mainstream attention. The modern therapeutic clown movement was founded by Dr. Patch Adams, a pioneering doctor who began his career in Virginia in 1971. Dr. Adams adopted the clown persona of “Gesundheit” and toured health clinics, visiting patients in hospitals and promoting the use of therapeutic clowning as an essential part of holistic medicine.

In the years following, the practice of therapeutic clowning has grown exponentially and now there are numerous organizations dedicated to the continued expansion of this field. These organizations specialize in providing training and resources for qualified therapeutic clowns, as well as working with hospitals and medical centers to create tailored therapeutic clown programs.

Training for Therapeutic Clowns

Becoming a therapeutic clown is an incredibly rewarding experience, and it’s something that requires dedication and training. This section will discuss the various qualifications and training needed to become a qualified therapeutic clown.

To start, it takes more than just makeup and a red nose to become a professional therapeutic clown. While having a theatrical background isn’t necessary, it can be beneficial. Just as with any performer, a clown must be comfortable with being in front of a crowd, improvisation, and entertaining. Clowns must also have an understanding of theater etiquette, have the ability to take direction and work with large groups. It’s important to note that not all clowns are created equal; depending on the therapeutic area, some clowns may require additional qualifications such as those who work in hospitals, nursing homes, or schools.

The most widely-recognized organization that provides therapeutic clowning qualifications is the International Shrine Clown Association. To become a qualified therapeutic clown, you must complete their five-day course which covers topics such as hospital etiquette, clown performance techniques, and clown safety protocols. Additionally, successful completion of this course allows individuals to apply for membership in the association.

Training for therapeutic clowns also requires additional skills such as creative problem solving and clear communication. Training courses vary depending on the organization, but they all involve general and specialized clowning techniques, practical scenarios, and clown safety protocols. Specialty courses are also available in areas such as music therapy and theater arts.

In order to maintain the highest levels of safety and professionalism, therapeutic clowns are also required to be certified by the International Shrine Clown Association. This certification not only acknowledges their qualification as a therapeutic clown, but also serves as a form of insurance while working with patients. Being a certified therapeutic clown also gives the individual access to more resources, training, support, and mentoring from the association.

Benefits of Therapeutic Clowning for Patients and Clowns

Therapeutic clowning is an increasingly popular form of therapy that can bring many benefits to both the patient and the clown. It has been used for centuries as a way of easing the pain, stress, and anxiety associated with medical treatments and hospitalization. By providing a lighthearted atmosphere, therapeutic clowning can create a more welcoming environment in a hospital setting.

The effects of therapeutic clowning are most potent when a clown is able to build relationships with their patients. Through humor, play, and art, a clown can help a patient to shift their focus away from medical procedures to having fun. As well as providing much-needed emotional support, therapeutic clowns also use their skills to help patients understand medical concepts and procedures in a less intimidating way.

Clowns themselves benefit from therapeutic clowning too. In addition to developing important skills such as public speaking, improvisation, and problem solving, clowns often become close friends with patients. This creates a strong sense of purpose and joy within the clown’s life, which is essential for the clown to stay motivated in their craft.

Challenges faced by therapeutic clowns and patients

Providing therapeutic clowning can be a rewarding experience; however, it is not always without its challenges. From the clown’s standpoint, it is sometimes difficult to discern how best to approach a patient��s needs and at what level of intensity they need the clowning.

From the patient’s standpoint—they may be dealing with significant emotional or physical issues and may not be in the frame of mind that allows them to enjoy a clown’s antics. It is important for a therapeutic clown to have the training and understanding to know when interaction would be inappropriate and to be prepared to adjust to the needs of the patient.

Patients may also have perceptual issues that interfere with their enjoyment of clown activities. For example, a patient who has difficulty decoding facial expressions may find it difficult to fully engage with a clown’s performance. A therapeutic clown must be prepared to adapt to this and figure out ways to communicate without relying heavily on facial expressions.

It is also important to consider that some patients may not want a clown to visit them. In this instance, it is important for the clown to respect the wishes of the patient and not to push the issue too far. Additionally, it is important to remember that even those who are not interested may still benefit from the presence of the clown and their positive energy.

Different Therapeutic Clown Organizations

When it comes to therapeutic clowning, there are a variety of organizations around the world that specialize in the field. Some of the more popular ones are listed below.

• • Laughology

Laughology is one of the most well-known organizations for therapeutic clown work. Established in 2005, Laughology brings experienced clowns into medical settings, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities throughout the United States. They specialize in bringing joy and laughter to those in need.

• • Clowns Without Borders

Clowns Without Borders is a global organization that provides free therapeutic clowning services in crisis and conflict zones around the world. Founded in Barcelona, Spain in 1993, the organization has worked with around 250,000 children in over 28 countries.

• • Healers On A Mission

Heallers on a Mission was founded in 2011 and has a focus on bringing therapeutic clowns into hospitals and supportive living communities. They specialize in providing fun, interactive performances for people of all ages.

Strategies for Effective Therapeutic Clowning

Therapeutic clowning is a powerful and effective form of therapy, both for the patient and the therapeutic clown. To ensure that therapeutic clowning is effective, it is important to consider the strategies that can be used.

The first step is to understand the goal of therapeutic clowning. The purpose is to provide comfort and laughter to patients in medical settings with the aim of helping them cope with their current medical situation. It is also important to build mutual trust between the therapeutic clown and the patient, as this is essential for any successful therapeutic clowning interaction.

The second step is to become familiar with the various techniques used in therapeutic clowning. It is important to understand the different types of humor that are appropriate and effective in a therapeutic clowning context. It may take some practice to get it right, but the results are worth it. There is no single set of techniques that work for all therapeutic clowning sessions, so it is necessary to be creative and use what works best for the specific patient in question.

It is also important to keep the focus on the patient rather than the therapeutic clown. Even though the therapeutic clown is performing, it is important to remember that the patient is the primary beneficiary of the session. Keeping the focus on the patient helps to make the patient feel supported and appreciated, which can help to further strengthen the relationship.

Finally, it is important to be flexible and responsive. As the therapeutic clown is working with patients in medical settings, they must be prepared to respond to changes in the patient’s condition quickly and appropriately. This often requires improvisation and quick thinking, and it is essential to maintain a sense of humor and respect while doing so.

By considering these strategies, therapeutic clowns can effectively create a positive and meaningful therapeutic experience for their patients.

Techniques Used in Therapeutic Clowning

Therapeutic clowning is based on using humor to engage with people and make them feel better. But this artform also requires sophisticated techniques that can be customized for different patients and situations. As a therapeutic clown, there are certain skills you must master, such as:

• Building trusting relationships with the patient
• Using appropriate language, physical movement, facial expressions, and other forms of nonverbal communication
• Using play, improv, and storytelling to engage with the patient in a light, meaningful way
• Adapting your performance to fit a specific patient’s needs
• Inviting and encouraging patient participation in activities
• Finding ways to build a positive emotional environment for the patient

All of these techniques are based on the goal of providing joy and comfort to the patient while engaging them in meaningful activities.

Obstacles of Maintaining a Consistent Therapeutic Clowning Program

Therapeutic clowning is an incredibly rewarding job, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges. The most difficult obstacle to maintaining a consistent therapeutic clowning program is finding and keeping qualified clowns. Since therapeutic clowning requires specific skills such as improv performance experience, friendliness, singing/dancing abilities, and even the ability to juggle, it can be difficult to find clowns who possess all of these qualities.

In addition, clowns must have the proper training and certification to be able to provide services for a therapeutic clowning program. Therapeutic clowning certification requires anywhere from 1-3 years of coursework and supervised practice. This long and demanding process often makes it difficult to attract and retain clowns interested in providing therapeutic clowning services.

Another obstacle facing therapeutic clowning programs is the cost of supplies and facilities necessary to maintain these programs. Clown outfits, medical supplies, and props can all add up quickly and are essential for providing quality care to patients. Moreover, many therapeutic clowning programs require dedicated spaces where they can safely interact with patients. All of this can make it difficult to keep a therapeutic clowning program running without large financial burdens.

Examples of Therapeutic Clown Programs

Therapeutic clowning has been applied in a variety of settings, ranging from hospitals and clinics to residential facilities and educational institutions. Here are some examples of programs and organizations that employ therapeutic clowns:

• Giggles Gang – This organization has therapeutic clowns working in hospitals throughout the United States.
• Clowns Without Borders – Their mission is to use clowning and storytelling techniques to bring relief and joy to refugee camps and 3rd world countries.
• The British Red Nose Clowns – This organization brings clowns to work in hospitals throughout the UK.
• Clowns 4Kids – This program has been developed to provide joy and laughter to hospitalized children in Germany.
• Commedia della Salute – This program based in Venice, Italy, uses clowns to bring joy and light to children and adults in the hospital.
• Clown Doctors – This program in Melbourne, Australia, uses clowning to relieve the stress of hospital stays.
• The Wishing Star Program – This program is based in the UK and focuses on helping children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

These are just some of the many examples of therapeutic clowning programs that are actively changing the lives of those in need.

Conclusion: Advantages and Disadvantages of Therapeutic Clowning

Therapeutic clowning can be a powerful tool in helping patients recover from trauma, illness, and injury. It offers a unique way to engage with those who may be struggling to cope, allowing them to laugh and smile in a safe and secure environment. However, it’s important to recognize that therapeutic clowning isn’t without its disadvantages. There can be a high cost associated with training and maintaining a therapeutic clown program, as well as the significant amount of time and effort required to ensure quality and consistency. Additionally, there are ethical considerations when it comes to working with vulnerable or sick patients.

Overall, therapeutic clowning is an incredibly impactful practice that has helped innumerable patients recover from adversity. It can be a great way to bring levity and joy to otherwise difficult situations. But it is also important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of therapeutic clowning before embarking on this journey.

“