Cinema therapy or movie therapy is a form of expressive therapy – like art, music and dance therapy – for medical and mental health issues. It is also used as a form of self-help. There have been multiple areas of improvement in experiences with cinema therapy, like improving self-confidence and self-esteem. Clinicians can combine cinema therapy with other therapies, including cognitive-behavioral and behavioristic approaches.
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.
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 storylines and the movie characters. In the process, they "learn about themselves in more profound ways." Cathartic cinema therapy helps a person access their emotions and may be used in the early stage of psychotherapy.
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?
Like art, music and dance therapy, cinema therapy is a 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.
Cinema therapy 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. Cinema therapy inspired a wraparound television show of the same name on Romance Classics (later Women's Entertainment).
Addiction | Alcoholism, starting over |
Alcoholism, suicide, fired or laid off | |
Self-destructive romance | |
Alcoholism, marriage | |
Domestic violence or rape | Haunted by the past, redemption, social injustice |
Stalkers | |
Haunted by the past, romantic relationship struggles, starting over, workplace romance | |
Haunted by the past, stalkers, starting over | |
Revenge, self-discovery | |
Obsessive–compulsive disorder | Love, opposites attract, redemption, romantic relationship struggles, unlikely friendships |
Cons and scams, fathers and daughters, therapy | |
Romantic relationship struggles | Haunted by the past, opposites attract, starting over |
Cinderella stories, opposites attract, prostitutes | |
Crumbling marriages, opposites attract | |
Death of a partner, opposites attract, teachers and students | |
Faltering friendships, opposites attract, single life | |
Other categories include coping with prejudice, childhood trauma, , suicide, family issues and relationships, grief, psychological thriller, and LGBT relationships.
Marvel movies are not only about superheroes, but also about other socio-political issues and various everyday problems. The reality created in these movies are ones that mimic the world around the audience. The movies produced in the universe have various sub-themes like mental health, economic, cultural, and socio-political issues. While these movies are normally geared towards children and adolescents, each movie has different themes to explore that counselors can use to assist with the health of their patients.
When watching Marvel movies, viewers are invited into the mindset of each character, giving them the chance to analyze their emotions, actions, and attitudes, allowing the viewer to understand each characters' values and compare them to their own. Each character in the MCU has their own set of weaknesses, regardless of their superhero abilities, making them more relatable to the viewers because of their portrayals of realistic issues. There are characters that deal with panic and anxiety disorders, depression, dissociative identity disorder, self-identity issues, and so on. Having characters that are facing these issues gives the viewers something to relate to and reflect upon.
The MCU doesn't only have characters that portray these real life issues, but also has films that spread messages about women empowerment, and representing minority communities in ways that they may not be seen in real life, shedding light and bringing positivity to those communities.
Another of the other complexes is 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."
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