Are you looking for a new way to channel mindfulness? Introducing film therapy, a new type of therapeutic intervention where you receive film recommendations that relate to your personal issues to gain a greater understanding of your emotional responses.
Whether you’re a movie buff or not, it can be a great way to take a step back and reflect on your personal situation without feeling overwhelmed by the feelings that arise.
The term ‘art therapy’ was first introduced in 1942 by British artist Adrian Hill, who saw the healing benefits of self-expression in his tuberculosis patients.
However, the idea of art therapy was first raised by Aristotle, who believed that watching Greek tragedies was a cathartic way for viewers to process their emotions.
The endurance of the theatre tradition today suggests that viewing live theatre can be beneficial for your emotional well-being, so why shouldn’t this extend to watching films?
One study undertaken by the University of Rochester found that couples who were open to exploring film therapy were less likely to divorce or separate because they were more willing to openly discuss complex relationship dynamics together.
Film therapy, therefore, has the potential to help bridge communication issues within our personal relationships.
Even though what we see on screen is not guaranteed to be a direct reflection of our personal experiences, film therapy can also be beneficial in helping couples to realise the severity of their issues.
While some films may seem overdramatic or unrealistic in their interpretation of real relationships, others can offer desperately needed perspective.
Film therapist Jenny Hamilton has broken down the three key stages that should be undertaken to ensure that you and your partner are prepared to engage mindfully with each other and the film.
These are as follows:
Make sure that you are in a safe space, both physically and emotionally. If you are in a bad mood, you are more likely to be distracted and fail to engage with the film correctly. Both you and your partner need to be in the right headspace to commit fully to the experience and relax.
Watch mindfully and pay attention to the relationship dynamics within the film. Did you connect emotionally with any of the characters? Were they similar or different to your own relationship? Was there anything the onscreen couple did that you would like to implement or change within your own relationship?
Leave time afterwards to discuss both of your feelings on the film. Discussing the film and the characters separately from yourselves allows you to talk about your own emotions in an impersonal way that improves direct communication.
Would you be willing to give this a try with your partner?
Written by Leah Marie Cox
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