wfn.org | Video Helps Heal Grief

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3147 notes).

Note 3146 by UMNS on Aug. 29, 1996 at 16:24 Eastern (3220 characters).

SEARCH: death, grief, sorrow, video, laughter, pain, Goodheart
 Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency
of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn.,
New York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                      432(10-71P){3146}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              Aug 29, 1996

Healing grief with tears, laughter
topic of new UMCom video series

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Individuals suffering losses often
feel they will never laugh again.  But "Healing With Laughter and
Tears," a new video series produced by United Methodist
Communications (UMCom), suggests they can regain their natural
healing powers by learning to use God's gifts of tears, laughter
and rage.
     The series features Annette Goodheart, Santa Barbara, Calif.,
a psychotherapist.
     "In our culture, pain is a four-letter word," says Goodheart. 
"We're taught to deny it, drug it, or divert it. Society gives us
20 minutes at the funeral and if you cry much longer or cry too
hard, you're given Valium."
     Primary message of the video series is that both tears and
laughter result in catharsis, the natural process that rebalances
the chemicals produced by the body in response to tension, stress
and pain.
     Laughter is an unusual aspect of Goodheart's therapeutical
approach.
     "People believe that you have to be happy to laugh," she
explains.  "You don't have to have a reason to laugh.  Laughter is
illogical and unreasonable.  The reality is that laughter doesn't
come out of happiness but from tension, stress and pain.
     "When you can laugh, even a little, about a specific problem,
the change is permanent.  The problem can never be experienced in
quite the same way again."
     The series includes 10 videos, beginning with an introductory
video in which Goodheart explains the principles of her approach
to dealing with grief.
      In the other nine videos Goodheart works with people as they
struggle with situations such as the sudden loss of a spouse,
death of the last parent, living with a progressive and
debilitating illness, and divorce.
     Others in the series involve a parent whose teenage son ran
away, a person born with one arm and a woman who was sexually
abused as a child.
     "By watching and discussing the segments, groups or
individuals can learn to apply the principles and techniques to
their own situations," said UMCom staff member Peggy West,
executive producer of the series.
     Throughout the series, Goodheart illustrates that once
individuals get in touch with painful feelings and release them
through laughter, tears and rage, they are able to think more
clearly, expand their insight and take sensible actions.
      A leader's guide, available with the series, provides a list
of key teachings for each section, biblical references and
suggested questions for discussion.  The videotapes, ranging in
length from 20 to 25 minutes, are available for sale or rental by
calling EcuFilm (800) 251-4091 or through Internet:
http://www.ecufilm.org.  Sale price for each video is $29.95 with
discounts for the series.
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