Psychologists' use of motion pictures in clinical practice

Authors

G Lampropoulos
Nikolaos Kazantzis, La Trobe University
Frank P. Deane, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

10915

Publication Details

Lampropoulos, G., Kazantzis, N. & Deane, F. P. (2004). Psychologists' use of motion pictures in clinical practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35 535-541.

Abstract

Do professional psychologists use motion pictures in clinical practice? If so, do they consider motion pictures to have therapeutic value? Of 827 licensed practicing psychologists, 67% reported the use of motion pictures to promote therapy gains. Most of these practitioners (88%) considered the use of motion pictures as effective in promoting treatment outcome, and only a minority (1%) reported them as potentially harmful. Compared with their psychodynamic counterparts, therapists practicing within eclectic-integrative, cognitive-behavioral, or humanistic frameworks were more likely to view or use motion pictures as therapeutic tools. Psychologists provided individual evaluations of 27 motion pictures that deal with a variety of mental health subjects, and overall they were characterized as "moderately helpful." Clinical applications and issues pertaining to using motion pictures in therapy are summarized.