Film Therapy: The Benefits Of Watching Movies

It is clear that movies produce all kinds of emotions. They can make you laugh, cry, suffer and even find the strength you need to face your problems. So why not channel all of this into a form of therapy?

What is film therapy?

Developers of psychotherapy have been able to collaborate with all types of coaches and film experts to develop a therapy that is based on TV series and movies by applying their benefits to coaching and psychology. This is logically called film therapy.

But the benefits of film therapy do not end with just watching a movie. Many different tools have been implemented, such as quotes, comments, posters, visual analysis, etc.

Hodgson and Burque have focused their therapy on implementing coaching and positive psychology to improve the skills and abilities of people who want to learn about film from a different perspective.

Film as a psychological tool

This therapy uses film as a psychological tool for various purposes. It is considered a very useful complement to therapy, thanks to various factors:

• Stories, characters and scenarios are compressed in a short time.
• The length of the film corresponds to a long therapy session.
• Movies are allegorical as stories and fables. You can take advantage of the cognitive effects of watching movies to formulate theories of learning, creativity, etc. and to promote the idea of ​​multiple intelligences.
• Many of us have felt that we could identify with movie characters. This information can be further discussed in the therapy.

• The visual impact of the film promotes concentration on the images.
• By watching and talking about the film with other people, you multiply its value and it becomes an important tool in therapy.

Benefits of film therapy

The creators of film therapy say that these techniques offer many benefits to the people who go through this unique therapy. Here are some of the benefits:

• Watching a movie makes you relax and have fun.
• Film therapy uses scenes or entire movies to help people face their fears. They help them become aware of their fears so that they can work to overcome them.
• The therapy allows you to focus on your problems. The content of many movies can make you aware of your own problems through identification and empathy.

• Film also has a catharsis function. When watching movies, you can experience passion without the side effects.

• It helps you relax. By watching movies, you direct your attention to an activity that can reduce anxiety.
• It improves motivation. When you watch a movie, you can find characters that will help you find energy in your real life.

• Entertainment. Film also creates laughter and happiness. And there is no doubt that this has a huge impact on both your mental and physical health.
• Sad movies can also evoke hidden emotions within you.
• You think about negative thoughts. Through the films, you can gain new perspectives that will help you reflect and change your attitude.
• Development of creativity. The different perspectives you see in movies can change your mental schedules and make you more creative, flexible and innovative.
• Improves personal relationships. Watching and commenting on a movie with friends or family has great social and emotional value.

• It’s a reflective art. Movies make us reflect on existential, spiritual and even royal issues.
• It helps us deal with loss. If you have a broken heart, movies can relieve the pain during this period.
• Movies inspire you to become a better person.
• Film improves your strengths. The qualities of the different characters can inspire you to improve your strengths.

You can be sure that film is much more than a simple art. Film therapy has elevated films to the category of useful psychological tools. There is no doubt that they can make us happier and more complete if we let them.