CT201 - Cinema Therapy: Using the Power of Imagery in Films for the Therapeutic Process 4CE Credits

Course overview

Movies affect us powerfully because the synergistic impact of music, dialogue, lighting, camera angles and sound effects enables a film to bypass our ordinary defensive censors. They draw us into the viewing experience and at the same time - often more easily than in real life - afford a unique opportunity to retain a perspective outside the experience, the observer's view. This unique and innovative intermediate course will teach therapists how to help clients build a bridge between their realizations in "reel" life and their experiences in real life. It will show that this can be therapeutic, transformational and can shorten the course of therapy by facilitating insights and bolstering the therapeutic alliance. Cinema Therapy, a modality drawing increased interest amongst therapists, uses the impact of movies to help clients change negative beliefs, manage destructive emotions, develop self-esteem, discover forgotten strengths and grow in the face of a loss or disappointment. This intermediate level course consists of two articles with audio versions, Cinema Therapy: Using the Power of Imagery in Films for the Therapeutic Process, which details the background and clinical utility of Cinema Therapy and explains how it can be integrated into the (standard) therapeutic process with individuals, families and groups. Although the films referenced in this course are all older movies, they have been included as they provide outstanding examples of how films can be used in a therapeutic setting. All films discussed are available through streaming services. Due to copyright laws, this course does not include movie clips, only descriptions of the movies.