
The Healing Value of Clowning
Clown faces and masks are obvious disguises, but we also disguise ourselves in everyday and therapeutic life, and often therapy has to work through these disguises to get to the core.
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You may not have noticed, but one of yesterday’s highlighted obituaries in my hometown Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described the life of Floyd “Creeky” Creekmore: “
In fact, clowning is the one form of comedy that has been embraced the most in health care. Patch Adams, MD became renowned for bringing the healing nature of clowning to hospitalized children. Robin Williams played Dr Adams in the movie of his life.
If any medical specialty should appreciate Dr Adams’ prophetic vision of the healing power of love, that should be psychiatry. Indeed, Carl Hammerschlag, MD understood, and was mentored by Dr Adams, and has joined Dr Adams in many clinical situations. In blogs, videos, and pictures, Dr Hammerschlag’s website,
Dr Hammerschlag had previously been renowned for his psychiatric work with Native Americans, including several books on his experiences. Here, too, he understood the therapeutic value of disguise.
I once attended a Workshop he led at a major psychiatric meeting. He had us wear paper facemasks of our own creation, and then he had us discuss how they made us feel and interact. It was quite a unique learning experience.
Clown faces and masks are obvious disguises, but we also disguise ourselves in everyday and therapeutic life, and often therapy has to work through these disguises to get to the core.
View Dr Hammerschlag’s recent “
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