Likewise, according to Brannon, much of the power of movies comes from storytelling. Stories, fables and fairytales have been part of therapy for a long time. “Part of it is: What am I looking to get out of the movie, and also the self-awareness of who am I, who do I understand myself to be? If we have those kinds of conversations, our ground is just riper for things to take root.” THE POWER OF STORYTELLING “How do you feel, how did you connect with the other actors, are questions to ask,” Brannon said of movie watching. He subsequently worked in New York psychiatric units and with prisoners on Rikers Island using drama therapy and improvisational theater in their treatment. That might be more therapeutic than saying, ‘I’ve got some time to kill, let’s go to this play.’ Your receptivity is different.”īrannon’s familiarity with using drama, role-playing and storytelling in therapy comes from his studies at New York University where he earned his master’s degree in Drama Therapy. “So, if you go to a movie because you know it’s on a particular theme and it’s something you’re experiencing in your life, you open your heart to whatever you might learn. “Just experiencing art in itself can have a healing effect, but I think the intention we bring to it helps determine its effect,” said Reverend Ken Brannon, rector at St. The key to gaining insight from a movie or other art form is to experience it with conscious intention and process your feelings afterwards, such as in a discussion with a therapist or group of friends. Most cinema therapy occurs with the guidance of a therapist but can also be experienced on a personal level. They provide a safe environment to examine our feelings. Movies encourage tears and laughter and help reduce anxiety, fear and bottled-up anger. The basic concept is simple: Characters in a movie struggle with the same types of issues as we all do, and we can learn new approaches to solving our problems. The website lists hundreds of movie titles and the issues they relate to. While most people watch movies like these for mere entertainment, a growing number of therapists believe that films, just like art, theater, music and dreams, can help us learn more about ourselves, connect us with each other and help us work through a myriad of life issues. Doubtfire” provide insight into dealing with divorce? And can “ The Bucket List” teach us how to grow older more gracefully? BROWNĬan watching a movie like “ Fried Green Tomatoes” help you discover your personal courage? Does “ Mrs. The Power of Storytelling Discovering Spiritual Value in the Movies We Watch BY PATTI MURPHY / ILLUSTRATION ZACK D.
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