The Unhelpful Therapist: Solve Your Problems Badly by Dave Crisante - NAFA 2025

Dave Crisante’s interactive comedy show The Unhelpful Therapist offers a refreshing take on the everyday frustrations we face with the people closest to us. The premise is simple but effective: audience members anonymously submit their grievances about annoying habits—ranging from mildly irritating to borderline absurd—and Dave, with the help of the crowd, facilitates a group “therapy” session to explore possible solutions. Each scenario is rated on a “pettiness scale,” which helps temper the responses and keep the tone light, even when the suggestions veer into the ridiculous.

The format relies heavily on audience participation, and last night’s crowd delivered some contributions to work with. Among the standout submissions were a partner who refuses to dispose of his snotty tissues, a fly-killing salt gun that leaves a trail of destruction, and children who consistently uncover their mother’s hidden chocolate stash.

One particularly memorable issue involved a boyfriend who wouldn’t let his partner touch his belly button. The man at the centre of the provocation provided the best response: “How about respecting people’s boundaries?!”, which was met with laughter and applause.

Another highlight was the communal carpark drama, where one neighbour always manages to snag the only shady spot. The audience’s proposed solutions ranged from clever to completely impractical, but the spirit of the show was never about finding perfect answers—it was about sharing the pain and laughing through it.

Dave’s role as facilitator is central to the show’s success. His ability to read the room, draw out the humour in each situation, and steer the conversation away from tired tropes (like the ever-present “revenge with laxatives” suggestion) keeps the energy high and the content fresh. His background in media communication is evident in his polished delivery and ease with the crowd, and Dave brings a level of finesse that elevates the performance. As founder of the Sydney Comedy School, he also knows how to balance structure with spontaneity, an essential skill in a show that depends so much on unpredictable audience input.

The evening’s tone was playful and inclusive, with no one made to feel foolish for their submissions. Even the pre-show music became part of the fun, with one audience member cheekily calling out the annoying Enya track that had been looping before the lights went down. It’s this kind of shared experience where the audience feels like co-creators that makes The Unhelpful Therapist a unique night out.

For those looking to laugh at life’s minor irritations and maybe walk away with a few unconventional coping strategies, Dave Crisante’s show is well worth attending.