News — WASHINGTON (February 18, 2025) – In times of crisis, laughter often feels like an act of defiance—yet research shows it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for mental resilience. As anxiety, trauma, and uncertainty weigh on mental well-being, humor can serve as a release valve, helping individuals reframe challenges, build connection, and navigate hardship.
, a clinical assistant professor of counseling at George Washington University, studies trauma and coping mechanisms, including how emotional regulation strategies—like humor—can support mental health. She can speak to the psychological and physiological benefits of laughter, its role in building resilience, and how it can help individuals process difficult emotions in constructive ways.
Dr. DeRaedt will be featured in the Kennedy Center production of . Themes explored in the show, which flips life’s toughest topics—racial inequities, war, family dysfunctions—on their heads, demonstrating how humor can be a tool for collective healing.
If you’re interested in connecting with Dr. DeRaedt, she can provide expert insight into the importance of collective healing and how individuals can incorporate laughter into their daily lives as a means of coping and recovery.
To schedule an interview, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Tayah Frye at [email protected].
-GW-
RSS