Therapeutic Photography & Phototherapy
“Phototherapy is not a therapy unto itself or a particular modality or school of thought: rather, it is a comprehensive system of techniques that has been found to work successfully, often in cases where nothing else has.” (J. Weiser)
In the extensive website Phototherapy-centre.com, Judy Weiser defines: Phototherapy as the use of photography in a therapeutic context; Therapeutic Photography as the use of photographs as tools for self exploration and self-discovery. However these definitions, though widely accepted, are not written in stone.
In my work I use the term Therapeutic Photography to refer to the creation of new photographic images with the client within a therapy.
With Phototherapy I intend the use and manipulation of existing photographic images (e.g collages; projective cards, family album) during a dialog based session.
🔎 Infos on the benefits of therapy
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Like photography, therapy allows us to:
-choose
what tool to use (as a given camera, lens, lights, film or memory card influence the possibilities of photographic realisation, in the same way by choosing the specialist with whom you start a therapy, you opt for a certain interaction, a theoretical position, a method, a timing and a space that will influence the possibilities of the therapeutic path)
-observe
a situation, a problem, a relationship, a dynamic, ourselves, others…
-taking and changing perspectives
on the current self, the past self, a specific role, the other’s perspective…
-focus
on an aspect of the problem, on a side of the personality, on a need/an emotion/a role we play in life…
-develop
a part of self, a relationship, emotionality, control, acceptance, communication and interpersonal skills…
*Possible applications:
-ANXIETY & STRESS
Often, while taking photos, one can find oneself in ‘flow’, which brings many health benefits similar to those of meditation, such as calming the mind and providing stress relief.
-SELF-EXPLORATION
With phototherapy, a person can explore different parts of their personality and bring to the surface those that are not visible in everyday life.
-SELF-ACCEPTANCE & SELF-ESTEEM
Neuroplasticity tells us that our brain has the ability to constantly change throughout life and develop new connections. By creating self-images, one can work on self-acceptance and build self-esteem.
-GRIEF & LOSS PROCESSING
Images can help people express experiences that are too difficult to put into words, such as a diagnosis or trauma. Furthermore a 2014 study found that those who participated in creating visual art had a significant increase in psychological resilience.
-PROCESSING CHANGES
A person’s perspective on themselves and the world can be gradually explored and changed through the process of taking pictures, analysing them and discussing them with others.
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The mix feelings, memories and open issues connected to experiencing migration can be elaborated within a Therapeutic Photography session.
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