Are you watching a movie or your favourite (TV) programme tonight to release some stress? An British therapeutic model called ‘MOVIE’ has taken this way of relaxing to a new level. Thanks to the innovative method we can be sure that watching movies is not only relaxing. It can be a form of emotional cleansing and have a deeper therapeutic effect. Turns out, watching a movie can be good for us, in an accessible way.

Relaxing with a favourite movie has long been a popular way to let go of our stressful everyday life. An innovative counselling model is taking things a whole step further. Because MOVIE (Mindfully engage, Observe, Voice, Identify, Explore) supports watching and discussing films and TV… as part of a therapeutic and emotional cleansing process.

Should therapy be serious? Do we have to relive painful memories? Do you have to have psychological problems for therapy to be worthwhile? Jenny Hamilton sheds a different light on these types of questions. She is a senior lecturer in psychological therapies at the University of Lincoln and a practicing counsellor herself. She has described her MOVIE model as an accessible and effective form of treatment. A way to do some emotional cleansing, on your own, at home, in your own time.

Accessible emotional cleansing

Explained Hamilton: “I first considered film therapy when my clients discussed movies and TV shows. I noticed that doing this can make some issues and feelings easier to talk about. That it can make therapy feel more accessible.”

“But when I looked into the research and literature on film therapy,” she said, “I struggled to identify clear methods for therapists to follow. This was still a developing area.” So, she began to work out a counselling model. One that would integrate elements of mindfulness and ‘experiential’ as well as ‘narrative’ therapy. All designed to help encourage patients to immerse themselves in the moment. “I noticed that talking about movies can make some issues and feelings easier to talk about for clients. It can make therapy feel more accessible,” she further explained.

“I noticed that talking about movies can make some issues and feelings easier to talk about for clients. It can make therapy feel more accessible.”

Ancient ‘Greece style’ counselling

Immersing ourselves in the moment: A similar effect was attributed to the Greek Aristotelian theater. It was around that time that people discovered something. That watching actors perform actions and emotions that people in the audience recognised from their own lives, was helping them. That doing this, while momentarily forgetting the world around them, was an effective form of emotional cleansing. One that can help heal their mind, soul and body. They called the process Catharsis and later Freud developed it further.

Connecting to ourselves in a removed, less intense way

The MOVIE model works in a similar way. It can help people develop an awareness of what is happening inside and outside of them, Hamilton told us. Or it can guide them to re-experience past emotional situations. It can also help them connect with their own feelings in a ‘more removed’ way. So it can all feel ‘safer’ and less intense. Plus, watching actors play situations they can recognise can help them gain new perspectives in life.

“I noticed that methods from mindfulness can help people reflect on thoughts and feelings in relation to a movie,” said Hamilton. “And, that narrative therapy could help to consider our own self-stories and how they fit in with wider narratives in society.”

Future

Various counselling and educational services are now using the MOVIE model, and people are using it as supervised self-help. Since its launch in 2023, some psychological counsellors in the UK have received training on how best to introduce it into their practice.

“I noticed that methods from mindfulness can help people reflect on thoughts and feelings in relation to a movie.”

Jenny has a tip for our readers:

Next time you watch a movie, try pausing to reflect on what was helpful about it. For example, maybe it helped you to process your feelings. Or maybe you gained a new perspective on an issue. Think about how this altered mood or perspective could help you going forward.

More timeless news? Check out our other news here