PCTC201 - Positive Cinema Therapy with Children and Adolescents 6 CE Credits

Course overview

Mental health providers, parents, and teachers continue to be confronted with the effects of a sharp increase of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders in children and in adolescents. What are the causes of this disconcerting development and how can it be addressed? Researchers and practitioners in the field of Positive Psychotherapy have developed interventions to treat psychological problems of children and youth effectively, by building positive resources that buffer against their reoccurrence. Since almost all children and youth feel attracted to movies, and many film characters demonstrate certain strengths or development of strengths, Positive Cinema Therapy interventions provide significant support for successful therapy. Young clients are more able to identify their own strengths as well as weaknesses that need to be addressed when they recognize these strengths and weaknesses in movie characters. Therefore, Positive Cinema Therapy complements Positive Psychotherapy in an effective way and can contribute significantly to positive youth development. This unique and innovative beginning course consists of three parts of audios with text transcripts. The first part explains the theoretical background of Positive Psychology, Positive Psychotherapy, and Positive Cinema Therapy. Possible reasons for the recent increase in mental illness are thoroughly discussed. The second part clarifies how Cinema Therapy can be integrated into Positive Psychotherapy with young individuals and their families. This section discusses and provides case examples of working with children between ages 4 -12. The final section discusses how to work with adolescents. Extensive case material followed by categorized movie descriptions with viewing suggestions, as well as guidelines for questions and interventions for clinical work are provided. Brief descriptions of these films offer a valuable resource for mental health practitioners, teachers, and parents. A comprehensive system of six classes of core virtues, made up of 24 measurable character strengths, provides a basic structure for this categorization. Additional resources and references are provided for further study, but they are not part of the course. While many of the movies discussed are older movies, the principles and interventions remain unchanged. A list of contemporary movies is provided with suggestions on how to address concerns such as diversity and social pressures.