'Laughter is the best medicine': 21 Laughs That Will Guide You On Your Inner Journey to a Happy Brain (May 23, 2026)

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

May 23, 2026 11:45 AM EDT

Does your therapist understand your humor?

I'm not a doctor, but I have been in therapy for years, and I truly believe having a therapist who gets your humor is very important. If you're cracking a joke that's a little too dark or too wholesome, and they're jotting something down in their notebook without even a giggle?? Now, that therapist is not for you. I went through five therapists before I landed on the one I have been with for several years. She is amazing. (Shout out, Dr. Jenn!) The others didn't think my daddy issues jokes were funny, since I very clearly have daddy issues… But how can you ever laugh if you can't even laugh at yourself? I'm still working on myself, aren't I? That's why I choose to share memes with my doc. Memes are a helpful tool to further deepen your therapist's understanding of you.

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via heartitout
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via @megantheevalium
We know taking those initial steps to make that dang ole brain happy isn't easy. Heck, it's not easy continuing the upkeep on your mind either. But healing isn't linear. One day, you might feel completely healed from whatever has been bothering you, and the next day, you're back in the depths of it. That doesn't mean you aren't healed, though! It's just another little brick in your life's path. You will always grow and evolve with each brick you hop, skip, or trip over. So start this therapy path with some memes!
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Sometimes it is hard to articulate something you need to get off your chest. Especially to your therapist, because you know they are going to analyze everything you say. That's what you're paying them for! Still, that doesn't make it any less scary. Sometimes you just have to wait a few sessions before you're able to actually put everything on the table. Or, you can use humor! Just because you say it in a joking way doesn't make it not real. Memes are a great way to help explain the difficult to explain. Plus, you might get to share some laughter with someone in the meantime! That's always a W in our book.
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