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Ever since I have been working with my clients’ responses to movies as a therapeutic modality, I often hear that they left a theater or TV screen full of emotions, insights, and inspiration. As I work with individuals and couples, and in the cinematherapy group I facilitate, I have seen that watching films with conscious awareness helps my clients reflect on their inner process – their struggles as well as their accomplishments.
My connection with cinematherapy began during a seminar about using metaphors from movies to understand emotional issues. I became inspired to learn more about the impact of films on the psyche and to find ways to use them in support of the therapeutic process. In cinematherapy, clients are guided to use imagery, plot, music, and other elements of films for insight, inspiration, emotional release or relief and natural change. This innovative method is based on traditional therapeutic principles as well as bibliotherapy, which has been practiced since the 1930s.
Case Examples
A woman I’ll call “Fran” had made a great deal of progress in our work. Her depression had lifted and we started discussing terminating her therapy. During that time she arrived at one session very distraught. She had been laid off unexpectedly from her job because the company was downsizing. Fran didn’t really like her job but was very attached to her co-workers. Leaving her workplace in an upset state of mind, she caused an auto accident in which she was slightly injured. These unfortunate events triggered self-criticism and grief about disconnecting from her co-workers as well as about her injury.
First, we did some cognitive restructuring around the negative beliefs about herself that were reactivated by these events. When I explained the grief process Fran could not imagine ever “coming out at the other end.” I suggested she watch the movie Frida and gave her specific guidelines on how to watch a film with conscious awareness (see www.cinemaalchemy.com). Frida shows how the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo faced many big challenges with strength and courage throughout her life. The artist was able to let her pain transform her as it led her to create outstanding art which, in return, helped her cope. I encouraged my client to “step inside Frida’s shoes” when she watched the film at home.
The film touched Fran deeply and allowed her to open up to new possibilities for herself. Aided by the emotional impact of the movie and the modeling provided by the character of Frida, I guided Fran through four stages of understanding and integration. She came to see that:
As a result of this work, Fran moved through her grief process, gained her confidence back and rediscovered her passion for photography. She had been trained in this field but had never been able to apply it. By the time her emotional and physical wounds were healed she found work that allowed her to integrate her skills in photography.
A second case involves a client I’ll call “Terry.” She came to her first session presenting low self-esteem as her main problem. After we talked about her upbringing in a highly critical environment, we started working with her “inner critic” and cognitive distortions. Terry was so identified with these internalized messages that it was hard for her to fully see the distortions; she could not imagine a different perspective. At this point I suggested she watch the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In this comedy the main character Toula transforms herself from an “ugly duckling” into an attractive, successful woman.
I gave Terry my general guidelines on how to watch a film with conscious awareness, and provided her with the following specific questions to answer after watching the film:
As Terry followed this process and stayed with the questions during our next sessions she was able to understand and consequently disidentify from her negative self-image.
Theoretical Context
Watching a movie with conscious awareness can be similar to experiencing a guided visualization. The therapeutic effect and the theoretical basis for both modalities are closely related. In fact, the therapeutic effect of films can be integrated into a range of psychotherapeutic orientations, many of which I draw from in my work.
Since films are metaphors, the depth psychologist can utilize movies in therapy similar to the way in which he or she might use stories, myths, fables, or dreams. As clients identify with a film character they see their own situation unfold. Identifying with a character can help them develop ego strength as they recall forgotten inner resources. It can also bring to life issues they previously wanted to avoid. Understanding reactions to characters who are different and unlikable can guide clients to discover, in the shadow of their own psyches, their true self and their potential.
From a cognitive-behavioral perspective, films can be a supportive device for understanding maladaptive core beliefs and for cognitive restructuring and behavior modification. Clients can become motivated to copy the behavior of screen characters who demonstrate courage in the face of a challenge. Recent theories of learning and creativity suggest that we have seven “intelligences: the logical (plot), the linguistic (dialogue), the visual-spatial (pictures, colors, symbols), the musical (music and sounds), the interpersonal (storytelling), the kinesthetic (movement), and the intrapsychic (inner guidance). The more of these we access, the faster we learn—and film allows us to access all seven of them.
Finally, systems oriented therapists can find support for their approach by choosing movies that communicate concepts and dynamics of family systems, as well as communication patterns that are unfamiliar to the client.
Birgit Wolz, PhD, MFT has a private practice in Oakland and she facilitates cinema therapy groups. Currently, she is writing a The Cinemaalchemy Workbook: A Self-Help Guide to Using Movies for Healing and Growth. On March 29 she will be presenting a one-day workshop in Monterey, sponsored by the Monterey chapter of CAMFT, on her cinema therapy work. She can be reached at (510)336-0915 or bwolz@earthlink.net. Informational web sites are www.cinemaalchemy.com and www.bwolz.com.
Note: This article reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of
East Bay CAMFT.
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