Cinema Therapy: An Idea For Recreational Therapists
Cinema Therapy: An Idea For Recreational Therapists
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In today’s world, people are learning more and more that therapy doesn’t have one specific
definition and the whole concept of therapy is relative from one situation to the next. For that
reason, more counselors, psychologists, and therapists are branching out to include unique and
nontraditional methods of working with patients, whether those individuals have a diagnosed
mental condition or simply may be going through a rough time in life.
One of these nontraditional methods, which is gaining more speed regularly due to its success in
cinema therapy. The very idea of watching movies as a therapy session can be a hard concept to
grasp for many and that is why we will explore cinema therapy in greater detail through this
report.
You will learn how it can be used by therapists, how it can be used at home, and how it is similar
to other types of therapy methods used more and more today.
Chapter 1:
For many people, going to see a movie is a treat for the family or a romantic date. There’s
nothing quite like the experience of getting the ticket, sitting in a darkened theater with a big tub
of popcorn and a soda, and watching a new show on a big screen. While many people know that
going to the movies is a great time, quite a few do not realize that it can actually be a therapy as
well.
It’s called cinema therapy, and according to the publication, Psychology Today, “technically, it’s
the process or practice of therapists instructing their clients to watch film(s) that are relevant to
issues of personal distress and dysfunction.” (Clyman, 2013)
Essentially, the purpose of cinema therapy is to help patients overcome various issues that could
be negatively affecting their lives. However, the definition itself doesn’t stop here. Cinema
therapy encompasses many other things. Let’s review a few of the goals accomplished through
this therapy method.
Sense of Accountability
Often, patients who have trouble with handling emotions and they develop improperly adapted
patterns in their relationships with others. Often, this, in turn, leads to a lack of accountability in
a person’s social life. They don’t thoroughly understand why they do things and the
consequences of their actions.
By watching a movie in which the protagonist faces a similar situation and has to deal with the
consequences, individuals may come to understand how they could be affecting their social life.
In that sense, cinema therapy prompts a sense of accountability. In fact, this often occurs when a
person has not even entered therapy. They may see a movie, recognize their own actions in the
film, and discover that they need to consider seeking professional help on their own.
Stress Management
Movies and films offer a form of escapism. When viewers sit in that theater, they don’t think
about the problems of their own lives, the stress they may be dealing with, or the issues they are
facing. Instead, they focus on the characters on the screen. As a result, a great impact of cinema
therapy can come in the form of stress management because viewers are able to escape from
their problems.
Have you ever watched a movie in which the protagonist did something incredibly unwise or
downright “stupid”? Have you watched those scenes and thought to yourself that the mistakes
you have made simply don’t seem so bad anymore? When watching a movie, there are two
different forms of stress management that come from connecting with characters on the screen.
A person may feel better about themselves by seeing someone else going through something
worse. Alternatively, a viewer may feel better about themselves after they see the protagonist of
a movie get in and then climb out of a bad situation, leading to the “if they could do it, so can I”
notion.
In a sense, by eliciting emotional responses in the patient in a way that doesn’t connect with
them personally, this allows the patient to connect with their feelings without feeling that they
are connecting with their trauma.
Media Response
Often, you will see in the media, most people only consider the negative effects of cinema and
television. Numerous news outlets link violent movies with violent outbursts in people. For this
reason, you may wonder how watching a film could actually have a positive effect. As you
continue to read this report and explore the numerous groups of people who can benefit from
cinema therapy, you will be better able to understand the benefits as opposed to any negatives.
Cinema therapy, like bibliotherapy (which we will discuss later in this book), actually helps
patients in numerous different ways, and while the majority of films used are uplifting and
encouraging, some of them have darker or more serious topics. That’s because the goal is to help
the patient reflect on their lives, see others who are dealing with the same issues, and know that
they are not alone. Despite media attention on movies for the negative, there is definitely a
positive impact off film on patients who may need it for mental health issues or even for passing
concerns in their lives.
As you can see, the exact definition of cinema therapy is rather broad. It exists as a way to help
patients cope with various concerns and issues whether in their life or mentally through
Chapter 2:
Why Is It Used?
In some groups, cinema therapy is considered a type of alternative or holistic healing. However,
it is growing in popularity throughout mainstream psychologist circles as well. In fact, it has
garnered enough attention that groups like the American Mental Health Association and
Psychology Today have taken notice. The concept is even being used by religious circles, such as
the Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide, which encourages cinema watching as a method of
therapy in the wake of a split with a partner.
Why is it used? Quite simply, there is plentiful evidence that it works. A website devoted wholly
to cinema therapy explains this in greater detail:
“One aspect of most movies is that they serve as allegories, in much the same way as do
stories, myths, jokes, fables, or dreams, which can all be utilized in therapy. The
cognitive effect of cinema therapy can be explained through recent theories of learning
and creativity, which suggests that we have seven ‘intelligences’.” (Why Cinema Therapy
Works)
1. Visual/Spatial – People who have tapped into this part of their intelligences are
commonly very in-tune with physical space and creativity. Commonly, this is an
intelligence associated with architects, multimedia developers, those who
regularly daydream, and artists. In watching movies, the pictures, colors, and
symbols of the film are methods of tapping into this intelligence.
3. Musical – Obviously, a part of the brain is directly affected by music and finds
emotion or therapy in tunes specifically. People who have tapped into this
4. Interpersonal – People who just seem to be able to “read” others based on body
movements, facial reaction, and speech have tapped into their interpersonal
intelligence. Often, those who have found this intelligence work as therapists,
motivational speakers, and more. The whole storytelling concept and trying to
determine what will happen next helps viewers connect with their interpersonal
intelligence.
(Multiple
Intelligences)
Essentially, many professionals have found that patients who are able to better connect with
more of their multiple intelligences are also able to cope with situations in an easier manner.
Cinema therapy is different. People who use this method are actually connecting themselves
with something enjoyable. Because they enjoy the film itself, they open themselves up to a
greater impact from the therapy. This is one of the many reasons why the method is used –
professionals have recognized that introducing an enjoyable experience can make a therapy
session more productive.
This is why numerous psychologists and therapists have a specific way they use cinema therapy.
This is usually not a method used in a one on one setting. Instead, therapists use cinema therapy
in a group setting. Then, once the film or film clip has been viewed, the therapist opens up the
group to discussion and processing. Often, this is easier for many patients since it keeps the
focus off of them and on the movie itself. Additionally, the group discussion time may allow a
patient to recognize something in the film they may not have seen otherwise.
So, whether a patient is a part of a cinema therapy process with their mental health professional
or a person is trying to use cinema therapy on their own, the process can only work if the viewer
actually takes the time to think about what they have watched and mentally process the film so
that they can see how they actually do relate or they can glean what they can learn.
As more people within the field find that cinema therapy can work, it will likely grow in use
throughout the country and world. Now, let’s move on to how cinema therapy actually benefits
mental health patients specifically.
NOTE: You can process movies with the use of Danny Pettry’s Cinema Therapy Game!
Chapter 3:
For patients receiving mental health services, there are things standing in the way of them truly
getting the help they need from therapists. One of these things is a lack of communication. The
patient may simply not know how to say what they are thinking, feeling, or experiencing.
This lack of words can cause a roadblock of sorts in therapy. An additional problem that can
arise is in the form of focus. No one wants to be told there is something wrong with them, and
even if the mental health patient has handled their diagnosis well, they may be uncomfortable
having to address the fact that something is wrong with them over and over again.
These two very specific issues can be benefitted through cinema therapy.
Switch in Focus
Dr. Fuat Ulus is a consultant psychiatrist at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. He used
cinema therapy regularly in a group program and he points out that it can offer a change in
focus for patients. (Ulus) Essentially, he believes that cinema therapy provides a change in focus
that allows patients to see things in a different light.
When someone watches a movie or a clip of a movie and they are able to see a character with
whom they connect, the focus is no longer on the patient and what is wrong with them. Instead,
the focus is on the character in the movie.
This allows the patient to talk more freely about a certain issue or condition without feeling as if
they are condemning themselves. Often times, when a person has a different avenue with which
to talk, especially about a problem that relates especially to their own issues, they will be able to
discuss things in a manner that they were never able to address.
Therapists and psychologists have seen this change in focus work for numerous different
patients with mental conditions, such as anxiety disorders, narcissistic personality disorder, and
PTSD.
New Vocabulary
When patients do not have the ability to specifically express how they are feeling or what they
want to say, it could be that cinema therapy will be enormously useful.
Think about it this way. A patient may be feeling something particular, let’s say in this case,
seasonal affective disorder. Let’s say that patient is having immense trouble explaining exactly
how “down” they feel every fall and winter. Maybe they only keep saying they are sad, but
sadness doesn’t explain everything. If that patient is watching a movie and a character in that
movie is experiencing the exact same symptoms, then they can point this out to the therapist.
Because the therapist has also watched the movie, it is easier to glean what is going on and what
needs to be done about it.
This new vocabulary can open infinite realms for therapy on a variety of different mental
disorder treatments.
According to Michael Lee Powell, some of the conditions that can be addressed with cinema
therapy include:
Major Depression
Hopelessness
Addiction
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Eating Disorders
Most professionals agree that if cinema therapy is used as a method in conjunction with
standard therapy methods, this can be an excellent way to manage a variety of mental health
conditions. It cannot be used as a main form of therapy, especially for those who have serious
psychological disorders, but when used as a branch of the overall treatment program for a
patient, it has had numerous positive results.
It is important for a therapist to evaluate each patient’s condition before determining if cinema
therapy could be the right option. That’s because this is considered a supportive therapy to be
used in conjunction with other methods. As numerous experts point out, watching film cannot
resolve a serious mental health issue all on its own. However, it can help if the right films are
chosen.
However, cinema therapy is not just limited to the realm of mental conditions. In fact, there are
many websites and resources dedicated to how people in general can benefit from the therapy,
whether they manage it on their own or they go to a professional. Even people who are “just
going through something” can benefit from watching certain films. Let’s address this next.
Chapter 4:
Virtually anyone can benefits from using cinema therapy in a variety of different situations. It is
not simply limited to patients of therapists and those who have mental conditions. For example,
parents can use cinema to help explain important life concepts to their children. Additionally,
men and women can use the therapy to overcome major changes in their life like a death in the
family or divorce. Let’s look at a few different categories of life issues that could be helped
through cinema therapy.
Challenges
Challenges can come along in all shapes and forms throughout life, from a very difficult test in
school to dealing with rough work or home situations. Those who wish to watch film and gain
inspiration to overcome challenges can consider a variety of different movies.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem can be an issue for children, teens, and adults. Cinema therapy can often benefit
viewers because they will be able to see how someone else is going through the same issues.
Some movies suggested include:
Billy Elliot
Erin Brockovich
Teens Searching for Their Identity – October Sky, Good Will Hunting, Stand By
Me, The Graduate, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Becoming an Adult – Breaking Away, Father of the Bride, Little Women, and the
Graduate
There are books written specifically about how cinema therapy can be used with children and
teens so that you can learn more if you would like. Interestingly, a parent who uses this method
with their child will likely find more than one benefit.
The child may be more willing to communicate their own problems or issues in their lives. Even
if they do not directly say what is bothering them, the comments they make through the movie
can help lead the parent in the right direction. Additionally, the parent will be able to encourage
communication by asking the child questions about the movie or characters. In addition to these
mental and emotional benefits, cinema therapy even gives parents a reason to spend more time
with their children. This connection alone could be enough to help children be more willing to
talk with their parents.
Essentially, the list of different ways that cinema therapy can help virtually anyone could go on
for pages and pages. By looking into more extensive resources, you can find list of films that will
help you or someone else cope with your situation. Be sure to consult with the resources in this
book or from other reputable sources so that you do not get lead down the wrong path if you
intend to use cinema therapy on your own.
Another type of therapy method used in the modern world is bibliotherapy. This is a very similar
concept, though it has been in use longer. Bibliotherapy is often simply called book therapy and
it refers to the use of the written word to help people deal with mental conditions or to cope with
problems that come and go in their lives.
Have you ever read a book and almost felt a cathartic response? That’s because, like cinema
therapy, bibliotherapy allows a patient to see things through another’s eyes or to view a situation
from the outside.
Both cinema therapy and bibliotherapy are forms of a method called “expressive therapy.” Let’s
explore some of the many ways these two are similar.
Communication
Patients who find it hard to communicate with their therapist can benefit from either type of
therapy. One of the main goals of both cinema therapy and bibliotherapy is to allow people to
connect so that they can communicate their own concerns, thoughts, or feelings.
Focus
We have already discussed how cinema therapy takes the focus off the patient so that they feel
less like they are a bug pinned down under a magnifying glass. Bibliotherapy works in much the
same way. Patients can connect to a character within the book and talk about that character
instead of having to talk about themselves and what is viewed as wrong with them. This shift in
focus makes it easier for patients to cope with their own situations.
Essentially, the character in the film or the book is going through the same thing, and he author
either saw this issue as important enough or experienced the issue enough to write about it. This
tells the viewer or reader that even more people have experienced this issue.
Specific Problems
Both cinema therapy and bibliotherapy focus on helping patients and individuals with similar
problems, including:
Self-esteem issues
Learning disabilities
Major life changes, such as abuse, divorce, adoption, loss of job, or loss from
natural disasters
As you can see, there is a direct correlation between what cinema therapy and bibliotherapy can
be used to treat.
Group sessions involve the patients either reading a book previous to the session or reading a
section in the session itself and then discussing it. Again, this allows the patients to feel less like
they are considering what is wrong with themselves and more like the focus is on the characters
and plot of the book. Additionally, patients may take insight, cues to look into something more
deeply, or thoughts they may not have otherwise had just by being a part of a group discussion.
Generally, the choice to use either cinema therapy or bibliotherapy will depend on the therapist
as well as the patient. Since both can be used to treat similar conditions, the therapist will need
to determine which method the patient will respond to the most. For example, a patient who is
very visually oriented may benefit more from watching films. Additionally, cinema therapy and
bibliotherapy are not necessarily exclusive. These two methods can be used in conjunction with
each other if the therapist decides this would be a good option.
Both cinema therapy and bibliotherapy do not necessarily focus specifically on movies and
books considered “classic” or “award winning”. That’s because several things have to be
considered in the therapy choice, such as relevance to the viewer, accuracy to the situation, and
more. That’s why many of the films and books used are considered pop culture or modern. It has
less to do with how good the book or film is or how critically acclaimed it is. Instead, it matters
that the book or movie will help the patient in some manner.
Additionally, both forms of therapy can be used on a professional manner as well as a personal
manner. In other words, people could choose to watch movies or read books on a therapeutic
method all on their own, especially if they are dealing with certain life or social situations.
Alternatively, people can become a part of a therapy session through a professional counselor,
therapist, or psychologist. This means that both methods are versatile in who they can help and
how they can help.
There are numerous resources available that you could turn to in order to find out more about
this therapy method. These include the following.
Books
Reel Therapy: How Movies Inspire You to Overcome Life’s Problems, Gary Solomon
The Motion Picture Prescription: Watch This Movie and Call Me in the Morning, Gary Solomon
The Cinematic Mirror for Psychology and Life Coaching, Mary Banks Gregerson
Cinema Therapy: The Girl’s Guide to Movies for Every Mood, Beverly West
The Healing Movie Book – Precious Images: The Healing Use of Cinema in Psychotherapy,
Michael A. Kalm
Websites
www.dannypettry.com/cinematherapy.html
The Novel Cure: From Abandonment to Zestlessness: 751 Books to Cure What Ails You,
Susan Elderkin
Bibliotherapy: The Girl’s Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives, Beverly West
Huffington Post,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/bibliotherapy_n_1817968.html
You can also do your own research online to find even more resources. However, it is
vital that anyone who is doing research pays enough attention to ensure they are looking
into only reputable resources. The Internet is a vast and resourceful database, but it is
also the source of “junk” materials. So, if you do research on cinema therapy or
bibliotherapy, make sure you look into the author and other details of the source to
ensure it is reputable.
Conclusion
Therapy comes in many different forms, in the modern day more than ever. That’s
because professionals have begun to recognize more and more that methods different
from the traditional ones used can be extremely helpful. This is why cinema therapy has
become more common in modern therapy offices and settings.
The use of film as a form of therapy has shown to be very helpful for a variety of people,
including those who are suffering from mental health conditions as well as those who
are facing a specific life issue.
Because of the versatility behind cinema therapy, it can be used in a formal setting, such
as the office of the therapist or psychologist or even in a person’s own home.
Works Cited
Clyman, J. (2013, February 27). Cinematherapy: A Useful Tool in Group Therapy.
Retrieved July 17, 2014, from Pychology Today:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reel-therapy/201302/cinematherapy-
useful-tool-in-group-therapy
Ulus, F. (n.d.). Movie Therapy: Coming Soon to an Outpatient Clinic Near You?
Retrieved July 17, 2014, from Psych Weekly:
http://www.psychweekly.com/aspx/article/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleid=158
Why Cinema Therapy Works. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2014, from Cinema Therapy:
http://www.cinematherapy.com/whyitworks.html