Verified by 
Freudian Psychology
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart, Sarah Palin and Therapeutic Values
The hidden therapeutic value of the Daily Show
Posted June 19, 2010
The end game of therapy is a hot topic that has ebbed and flowed amidst great debate since its inception. Freud said treatment was all about making the unconscious more conscious. His contemporaries aim for a healthy and sustaining relationship. Cognitive-behaviorists zoom in on reframed thought patterns. As research consistently affirms each of these penultimate ambitions a view of successful therapy emerges in which each of these points - insight, connection and skills - are crucial but limited pieces of the puzzle. In recent years yet another "piece" has emerged relating to values.
It is believed that if a client's genuine values can be clearly identified and his or her daily routines, thought patterns and intentional behaviors are shaped to fall in-line with these values, then happiness, healthiness and success will be facilitated.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a prime example of a therapeutic approach in which values are a part of the end game.
In therapy the client is primed to consider his "authentic" ideals. The therapist influences the examination of the client's ideals in light of what is known to be mentally health versus ill. Then, the therapist nurtures a relational connection and initiates interventions like insight and skills-building to help breathe these values into daily living. Having watched "The Daily Show" for many seasons I have begun to notice some vague parallels between my experience as a viewer and the experience of receiving values-driven treatment. As I tune in to each new episode I consistently sense that Jon Stewart "gets" me (the relational connection). As he communicates non-verbally (a witty retort to the audience, a self-mocking glance toward his media graphics) I find myself more at ease and, thus, more open to self-examination (the prime). And, as Stewart verbalizes his perspective on current media events I sense a clarity and calmness that often indicates a mentally healthy narrative (the intervention).
Let's turn to the videotape - the June 17th episode in which Stewart discussed the Gulf oil spill. He poked fun at the public relations scramble of the major U.S. oil companies, and the pro-Big Oil political stance of Congressman Joe Barton. On a rather explicit level Stewart seems to be relaying political values - an oil company that causes an oil spill has to pay for it, a greener world is important, a congressman who blatantly ignores his democratic colleagues is an idiot, etc. But on a more implicit level the kind of psychological values that are discussed in therapy are being relayed as well. In this episode at least, what emerges in-between his punch lines and underneath his animated gestures are three key ideas:
a. A genuine presentation of personal attitudes and intentions is important (which is why he jokes about the transparent posturing of Big Oil executives)
b. A thought process that is open-minded to other viewpoints and holds a concern for people and communities over profiteering businesses is critical (which is why he jokes about Joe Barton's defense of BP)
c. A hopeful world view in which positive silver linings exist and should be appreciated is worthwhile (which is why he does NOT joke about the 20 billion dollar conservation fund set up by BP)
Look even closer and these three key ideas are connected to other values of psychological life: Know thyself, be honest during social interactions, prioritize people over profits, be thoughtful instead of emotional, be dialectical instead of rigid, look to connect instead of alienate. These are "Jon Stewart" values but they also reflect the kind of mentally healthy "values" advanced by the therapeutic process.
Interestingly, politics shines a national spotlight on a twisted version of this process, in which politicians project and impose their own values on us hoping that we will react with inspired agreement.
Take Sarah Palin and her "drill baby drill" platform in which the following political and psychological values seem evident: the profits of oil companies must be protected, a greener world is unimportant, there is only one way of doing business (drilling) and all other ways are not worth consideration.
Moreover, with politicians like Palin the conversation of values is less an implicit suggestion then it is an imposition. Palin often references the "American people" but the "American people" seem to be merely a projection of her personal beliefs. This leads to the convenient fact that the "American people" seem to agree with her on every issue, are benefited by every policy implication and fail to notice every contradiction.
Listen closely to Jon Stewart. Listen closely to yourself listening to Jon Stewart. You may disagree with his views or find his jokes humorless, but I postulate that on a subconscious level there are signs of a values-driven conversation that Stewart is moderating that promote mental health in a manner somewhat akin to many modern therapies.
That's right, I'm linking Comedy Central to free therapy.
