Cinematherapy: The Therapeutic Application of Film
Document Type
Event
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Cinematherapy is the process or practice of psychotherapists instructing their clients to watch films relevant to issues of personal distress and dysfunction and provide some sort of pathway toward advancing therapeutic gain. New mental health interventions such as cinematherapy are criticized when introductory literature fails to produce enough solid empirical evidence to support their use in clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to identify and explore existing psychotherapeutic interventions developed by clinicians and examine the use of popular films within the context of psychotherapy, with a focus on self-agency and the development of individual leadership. An examination of cinematherapy literature was followed by semi-structured interviews with ten practicing psychologists, focusing on personal therapeutic approach and the potential therapeutic significance of cinematherapy. The study found cinematherapy is a viable therapeutic tool and can be useful in assisting individuals to develop the skills necessary to be leaders in their own lives. Implications for this study provide one example of a qualitative research study of the value and effectiveness of cinematherapy.
Cinematherapy: The Therapeutic Application of Film
Cinematherapy is the process or practice of psychotherapists instructing their clients to watch films relevant to issues of personal distress and dysfunction and provide some sort of pathway toward advancing therapeutic gain. New mental health interventions such as cinematherapy are criticized when introductory literature fails to produce enough solid empirical evidence to support their use in clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to identify and explore existing psychotherapeutic interventions developed by clinicians and examine the use of popular films within the context of psychotherapy, with a focus on self-agency and the development of individual leadership. An examination of cinematherapy literature was followed by semi-structured interviews with ten practicing psychologists, focusing on personal therapeutic approach and the potential therapeutic significance of cinematherapy. The study found cinematherapy is a viable therapeutic tool and can be useful in assisting individuals to develop the skills necessary to be leaders in their own lives. Implications for this study provide one example of a qualitative research study of the value and effectiveness of cinematherapy.
