Cinema therapy
Cinema therapy or movie therapy is a form of supplemental therapy - like art, music and dance therapy - for medical and mental health issues. It is also used as a form of self-help. Cinema therapy was created and popularized by Dr. Gary Solomon, the first to write on using movies as therapy.
Definition
Cinema therapy is defined by Segen's Medical Dictionary as:
A form of therapy or self-help that uses movies, particularly videos, as therapeutic tools. Cinema therapy can be a catalyst for healing and growth for those who are open to learning how movies affect people and to watching certain films with conscious awareness. Cinema therapy allows one to use the effect of imagery, plot, music, etc. in films on the psyche for insight, inspiration, emotional release or relief and natural change. Used as part of psychotherapy, cinema therapy is an innovative method based on traditional therapeutic principles.[1]
There are several types of cinema therapy, with varying degrees of entertainment and therapeutic value. Popcorn cinema therapy is primarily cinema entertainment, that may result in an emotional release. Evocative cinema therapy, helps individuals connect with story lines and the movie characters. In the process they "learn about themselves in more profound ways." Cathartic cinema therapy helps a person access their emotions, for instance if they are in a depression, and may be used early stage in psychotherapy.[2]
Overview
Cinema therapy is the use of cinema or movies to manage medical, mental health, and life management. It has been used as a form of self-help and to aid in inmate rehabilitation.[2] Cinema therapy has been said by its proponents to change individual's thoughts, feelings and ability to manage life events.[2] Movies are used in some prisons to help individuals understand what led them to commit and be convicted of crimes.[2]
After viewing the movie, it is recommended to assess one's reaction to the movie, such as: What did you like or not like about the movie? Who did you find to be attractive and unattractive characters? Was there someone in the film that you'd like to be more like?[2]
Like art, music and dance therapy, cinema therapy is supplemental means of therapy to be used within traditional therapy, according to Dr. Bruce Skalarew, a psychoanalyst and psychiatrist. He is also co-chair of the Forum for Psychoanalytic Study of Film.[2]
Cinematherapy (one word) as a form of self-help for women using a variety of movies was popularized by the humorous series by Nancy Peske and Beverly West. Cinematherapy inspired a wraparound television show of the same name on Romance Classics (later Women's Entertainment).[3]
Films or movies
Examples of cinema therapy categories and movies are:[4]
| Category | Movie | Other themes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addiction | 28 Days (2000) | Alcoholism, starting over | |
| Gia (1998) | |||
| Leaving Las Vegas (1995) | Alcoholism, suicide, fired or laid off | ||
| The Panic in Needle Park (1971) | Self-destructive romance | ||
| When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) | Alcoholism, marriage | ||
| Domestic violence or rape | The Accused (1988) | Haunted by the past, redemption, social injustice | |
| Enough (2002) | Stalkers | ||
| Frankie and Johnny (1991) | Haunted by the past, romantic relationship struggles, starting over, workplace romance | ||
| Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) | Haunted by the past, stalkers, starting over | ||
| Thelma & Louise (1991) | Revenge, self-discovery | ||
| Obsessive–compulsive disorder | As Good as It Gets (1997) | Love, opposites attract, redemption, romantic relationship struggles, unlikely friendships | |
| Matchstick Men (2003) | Cons and scams, fathers and daughters, therapy | ||
| What About Bob? (1991) | |||
| Romantic relationship struggles | The Accidental Tourist (1988) | Haunted by the past, opposites attract, starting over | |
| Pretty Woman (1990) | Cinderella stories, opposites attract, prostitutes | ||
| The Way We Were (1973) | Crumbling marriages, opposites attract | ||
| Stanley & Iris (1990) | Death of a partner, opposites attract, teachers and students | ||
| When Harry Met Sally... (1989) | Faltering friendships, opposites attract, single life | ||
Other categories include coping with prejudice, childhood trauma, eating disorders, suicide, family issues and relationships, loss, psychological thriller, and gay and lesbian relationships.[4]
Clinical outcomes
Beyond the entertainment value of leaving isolated hospital wards to view films, it is increasingly believed that patient's recovery is improved by viewing "feel-good" films, or ones that make the patient laugh.[5]
"Laughter is the best medicine and we intend to administer it through cinema. This is a superb initiative which I'm sure will do a great deal to boost patients' motivation to get well," said Dr. Alan Maryon-Davis, a top health consultant.[5]
Gary Solomon, PhD, MPH, MSW, and author of The Motion Picture Prescription and Reel Therapy states that viewing television or film movies "can have a positive effect on most people except those suffering from psychotic disorders."[2]
Programs
MediCinema
MediCinema is a UK-based registered charity that places cinemas in hospital buildings and screens films for patients, caregivers and family members during the patient's hospital stay. The first installation was the St Thomas' Hospital in London in 1999. It allows individuals to leave what can be isolating rooms and wards for a period of entertainment.[6][7][8]
Another of the other complexes is at Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court. The Health and Welfare Director at the Royal British Legion, Sue Freeth, stated "Rehabilitation is not only a huge physical challenge, but involves recuperating mentally as well. This excellent new facility will assist our brave Service personnel in doing just that."[9]
Chicago Institute for the Moving Image
Chicago Institute for the Moving Image (CIMI) uses creation of films as a means for therapy for individuals in therapeutic care with depression, amnesia, schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses. Writing, producing and directing movies "provides a certain amount of therapy, organization, and order that people with psychological diseases need, and it helps the therapist see what the conflicts are within their patients lives," said CIMI's executive director, Joshua Flanders. The end result provides a view of the filmmaker's world and has resulted in "enormous breakthroughs".[2]
Film/video-based therapy
Joshua Lee Cohen, author and co-editor of Video and Filmmaking as Psychotherapy: Research and Practice (published by Routledge in 2015), helped to establish a collaborative effort in forming Film/video-based therapy. This form of therapy is about making films with clients, as opposed to cinema therapy which is about watching films.[10][11]
Perception Enneagram Mirror Neurons
The Center for Studies of Psychology of Art and Expressive Psychotherapy has been studying for years the benefits of Psycofilm method, combining Psychology, Sensory analysis, Enneagram (C. Naranjo) and Mirror Neurons (G. Rizzolatti), with poetry, art and writing. Since the past 10 years the Center has been hosting an event dedicated to the Venice Film Festival and the Rome Festival. Enriched by the viewpoint of experts from different and complementary fields, this special event let us explore the international filmography as an exciting journey. The main texts had seen the contribution of several audiovisual arts experts, like Agiscuola. CONSCOM, MiBACT, intellectuals, academics and critics of international figures, including Giorgio Pressburger, Roberto Barzanti, Juan Octavio Prenz, Graham Cairns, Maciej Stasiowskj, Ernesto G. Laura, Alberto Fasulo, Maurizio Lozzi, Catello Masullo. They all outline the Psycofilm method and they report the beneficial effects of the Psycofilm on Alzheimer's patients and cancer patients. The event also seek to promote culture - and the culture is good. The last of the lyrics from the title "Nostoi Ritorni Cinema Comunicazione Neuroni Specchio" edited by Paola Dei Editions Altravista Preface of Nicola Borrelli" has been proclaimed one of the best essays of 2015 in the Albo d'Oro.
References
- ↑ "Cinema Therapy definition from Segen's Medical Dictionary". Free Dictionary - Medical Dictionary. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Movie Therapy: Using Movies for Mental Health: Therapists recommend movies to help change the way we think and feel.". Web MD. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ↑ http://variety.com/2000/tv/news/cinematherapy-on-couch-1117776285/
- 1 2 "Psyho Cinema". Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Florida Institute of Technology. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- 1 2 Rupert Hamer (4 January 1998). "Coming Soon To A Hospital Near You...". Sunday Mirror. London, England: MGN Ltd.
- ↑ Karen Shead (16 June 2003). "MediCinema puts a new take on hospital therapy". The Scotsman (accessed via HighBeam Research). ECM Publishers, Inc.
- ↑ "MediCinema at St Thomas' Hospital". St Thomas' Hospital. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ↑ "Medicinema - Big screen therapy". JuniorDr. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ↑ "New MediCinema to Help Rehabilitation at Headley Court". States News Service (accessed via HighBeam Research). 17 May 2013.
- ↑ http://www.zurinstitute.com/cinematherapycourse.html
- ↑ http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/articles/discover_the_companion_website_for_video_and_filmmaking_as_psychotherapy/
Further reading
Clinical intervention
- Mary Banks Gregerson (2010). The Cinematic Mirror for Psychology and Life Coaching. Springer. ISBN 978-1-4419-1114-8.
- Lindsey Joiner (15 November 2011). The Big Book of Therapeutic Activity Ideas for Children and Teens: Inspiring Arts-Based Activities and Character Education Curricula. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 978-0-85700-447-5.
- Michael Lee Powell (2008). Cinematherapy as a Clinical Intervention: Theoretical Rationale and Empirical Credibility. ProQuest. ISBN 978-0-549-96406-3.
- Gary Solomon (1995). The Motion Picture Prescription: Watch this Movie and Call Me in the Morning. Aslan Publishing. ISBN 978-0-944031-27-8.
- Fuat Ulus (2003). Movie Therapy, Moving Therapy. Trafford on Demand Pub. ISBN 978-1-55395-705-8.
- Birgit Wolz (2005). E-Motion Picture Magic: A Movie Lover's Guide To Healing And Transformation. Glenbridge Publishing. ISBN 978-0-944435-55-7.
- Joshua L. Cohen, J.Lauren Johnson, Penelope P. Orr (2015). Video and Filmmaking as Psychotherapy: Research and Practice. Routledge. ISBN 1138781428.
Other
- Dei Paola: (2008) Eros Thanatos e cibo al Lido. Dalla Psicologia dell'Arte alla Cinematografia Prefazione di Roberto Barzanti Edizioni MEF ISBN 9788851717049
- Dei Paola: (2009) Figli al cinema. prevenire il bullismo......Prefazione di R. Barzanti, G. Napoli, G. Ippoliti Edizioni Zona ISBN 9788864380230
- Dei Paola Gregorio Napoli: (2910) Lanterna magica. Cineterapia e poesia al Lido fra sogni e bisogno. Prefazione di G. Blandini Edizioni Boocksprint ISBN 8896344999
- Dei Paola ( a cura di) (2011) Neuroni specchio. Cinematerapia del lutto fra Venezia Roma e Walt Disney Prefazione di N. Borrelli Edizioni Scientifiche STILL ISBN 978-88-906183-1-4
- Dei Paola ( a cura di) (2012) Il potere al cinema. Dall'architettura del Lido all'Auditorium di Renzo Piano Prefazione di N. Borrelli Edizioni Scientifiche STILL ISBN 978-88-906183-6-9
- Dei Paola ( a cura di) (2013) MMelato forever with Pupi Avati, Massimo Ranieri, Oriella Dorella, Massimo Ghini, Lina Wertmuller, Franca Valeri, Giancarlo Giannini, Callisto Cosulich, Maurizio Porro Prefazione N. Borrelli Edizioni Falsopiano ISBN 9788898137251
- Dei Paola: (a cura di) (2014) Nostoi Ritorni Cinema Comunicazione Neuroni Specchio Edizioni Altravista Prefazione di N. Borrelli ISBN 9788895458755
- Dei P. ( a cura di) (2015) Il male al cinema Movies Shadows and Lights Prefazione di N. Borrelli ISBN 978-1-329-97240-7
Self-help
- Nancy Peske; Beverly West (1999). Cinematherapy: The Girl's Guide to Movies for Every Mood Check
|url=value (help). Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-48296-9. - Nancy Peske; Beverly West (2000). Advanced Cinematherapy: The Girl's Guide to Finding Happiness One Movie at a Time. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-48118-4.
- John W. Hesley; Jan G. Hesley (2001). Rent two films and let's talk in the morning: using popular movies in psychotherapy. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-41659-3.
- Brigit Wolz (2004). The cinema therapy workbook: A self-help guide to using movies for healing and growth. Canyon, CA: Glenbridge Publishing Ltd.