The Stress Doc completes his evolutionary memoir - from leaving the bayou to landing in the political swamp. But DC has also provided moments of enlightened lunacy - from the birth of psychologically humorous rap to getting "postalized." All a prelude to his latest venture: becoming an "online psychohumorist."

Evolution of a Psychohumorist: Part II

The question entertained last time: how did I become an expert on stress and humor? As indicated, oddballs and outcasts have certainly meandered through my life stage - from a childhood in New York City to my "creative exile" in New Orleans. And you can't live in "The Big Easy" for sixteen years without developing a fine appreciation for the absurd or the outrageous. But it was burning out while obsessively pursuing the mystical-inspired doctoral dissertation that launched the path of "psychohumor" -- when academic flashdancing whirled to a burnout tango!

Out of the Creative Closet

It's a good thing I did burn out because, with my ego and pride, I'd still be working on that damned dissertation. Actually, the mystical-like experience, subsequent burnout and phoenix-like return, crystallized a life purpose: my need to pursue the unpredictably crisscrossing and rejuvenating paths of wholeness and creativity. I was determined to uncover, integrate and harness the wide, deep and contradictory range of beliefs, emotions and drives within me - from sadness, rage and fears to gifts, passions and joy. (Okay, so I've tipped my American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV diagnosis: Narcissistic Personality Disorder, with grandiose tendencies.)

With renewed vitality and focus, I started my own therapy practice and eventually became a multimedia social worker. I broke into radio and TV and became known as the "Stress Doc," wrote for a national magazine, did convention speaking and company workshops, along with part-time university teaching. (My great accomplishment as a professor was when my "Crisis Intervention and Brief Treatment" elective drew 75 graduate students, even more than the "Human Sexuality" elective. Now imagine if they had combined the courses. Preparation would have been a snap. All semester, I could have talked about my capacity for brief sexual performance and propensity for relationship crises. Just a little self-effacing humor, ladies.) I was discovering, evolving and communicating my own innovative recipe for a playfully serious gumbo.

DC or Deviancy

However, by the end of the '80s, there were "no more mountains to climb in the bayou." I had this urge to move to Washington, DC. I didn't understand it till I got here. Then I realized this psychic force was intuiting a geographical, mid-life synthesis: if New York City and New Orleans had a baby, it would look like Washington, DC. (Of course, I can't vouch for it's legitimacy.)

I arrived in DC with a visiting faculty transition position at Catholic University. I told the Dean my religious preference - Jewsh Atheist...And that my biggest fear was people possibly accusing me of being redundant. When he laughed, I thought there was some hope. But academia and I just are not natural dance partners. In some ways, I'm not a traditional leader, nor a follower. I enjoy presenting my solo act or, perhaps, playing the role of "intimate outsider." Anyway, I began hustling to build a speaking, training and consulting business, with a little therapy on the side.

And as usual, it was the unexpected deviations, if not deviancy, in the path that made the difference. For example, writing lyrics for a PR lady promoting a black beauty contest helped give birth, in the early '90s, to my pioneering work in the field of psychologically humorous rap music, "Shrink Rap" Productions.

Joining an artists' support group helped me overcome some silly inhibition about rapping and making a fool of myself. (A totally groundless fear, of course. As a black lawyer friend said: "So, you're into aristocratic rap.") The group also gave me a forum for rehearsing. Eventually, I added a Blues Brothers hat, black sunglasses and a black tambourine. It was scary. I was really starting to enjoy this wackiness. After twenty years, off and on, trying all kinds of therapy, I had finally reached that state of narcissistic nirvana: absolutely no appropriate sense of shame!

And how can I leave out that other mind bending, DC experience: a three year stint as a stress and violence prevention consultant for the US Postal Service. Clearly, with my absurdist tendencies and "on the edge" pursuits, self-effacing humor becomes a survival mechanism.

From Technophobia to Cyberfeelia

But now for the mind blowing development. In a little over three years, I've gone from computer virgin to "Virtual Dear Abby of AOL." Actually, hanging out with those artists shamed me into action. They were embracing computer graphics and I was still in a symbiotic relationship with a 15 year old Smith Corona. (Hey, once a woman said my type-written response to her offline personal ad was a refreshing change.)

Then I joined a social network for self-employed business folks called, "Home Alone." And now felt humiliated not having a website. So I approached a colleague at Howard University, School of Continuing Education, who was a web maven. I said, "John, you have all this arcane web knowledge, I have all this psychobabble...It's a perfect marriage: 'The Web Doc and The Stress Doc.'" And within a year, 630 revisions later, along with the assist of a marketing consultant, www.stressdoc.com was featured as a USA Today Online "Hot Site." Go figure.

Of course, I can't forget the support of the Jokemeistr, publisher of Humor From the Edge, and KBaltzell, site manager for AOL's Online Psych, for giving me license to practice enlightened and light-hearted lunacy.

Another good thing about this venture into virtual reality: I'm no longer defensive about not having a life. My latest mantra: "Go web young cyberoid."

So this is some of my story...how I've evolved or, perhaps, regressed from a psychotherapist to a psychohumorist. (I'll let you decide whether the emphasis should lie on the first or second half of the new job title.) My final words of wisdom: Seek the higher of power of humor: May the Farce Be with You!

And, of course, Practice Safe Stress!

Special Announcement: I am starting a Multi-Media Coaching for Consultants Program, especially (though not exclusively) for allied/mental health professionals, organizational trainers and consultants, counselors and educators. For information on the products and instructional services, including one-on-one online consultation, bulletin board access and particpation in a chat/support group, email me at Stress Doc@aol.com

Feedback Segment: How about sharing your thoughts on how you, friends or colleagues use humor in dealing with stress, conflict or moods, yours or others, in your personal life, at home or at work? HFTE will run the best stories and, of course, credit you. (And the real lagniappe, you become a member of the Stress Doc's StressBusters Club.) Also, email me to learn more about "The Stress Doc's" upcoming serious and humorous on-line support/chat group -- "The Frequent Sighers Club.

Mark Gorkin, "The Stress Doc," Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a nationally recognized speaker, workshop leader and author on stress, reorganizational change, anger, team building, creativity and humor. He is also the internet's and the nation's leading "Psychohumorist." The Stress Doc is a columnist for the popular cyber-newsletter, Humor From The Edge -- HUMOR FROM THE EDGE HOME PAGE . Mark is also the "Online Psychohumorist" for the major AOL mental health resource network, Online Psych -- ONLINE PSYCH: THE STRESS DOC and Financial Services Journal Online --  . And he is an offline writer for two mental health/substance abuse publications -- Treatment Today and Paradigm Magazine. His motto: Have Stress? Will Travel: A Smart Mouth for Hire! Reach "The Doc" at (202) 232-8662, email: Stress Doc@aol.com. The  Stress Doc's website was selected as a USA Today Online "Hot Site" and designated a four-star, top- rated site by Mental Health Net.