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GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
Positive psychology is a recent branch of psychology that studies the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Recently, researchers and practitioners in the field of positive psychotherapy have developed interventions for the clinical setting to treat psychological problems effectively by building positive resources and buffer against their future reoccurrence. Because film characters frequently model the development of the desired virtues and strengths, movies can become natural vehicles for the processes of Positive Cinema Therapy.
Films like Grand Canyon or Crash, for example, can be used to support and strengthen open-mindedness. People who are able to forgive easily and those who frequently experience gratitude tend to be less depressed than individuals without these strengths. Movies like The Story of Us or The Straight Story support forgiveness, and gratitude is powerfully displayed in It's a Wonderful Life. When a client struggles with anxiety and self-esteem issues, films like Places in the Heart or Billy Elliot are recommended in combination with positive psychotherapy exercises because they can support the development of courage. The capacity to love can be developed or supported by viewing movies like Kolya or Before Sunset in the context of Positive Cinema Therapy.
This unique and innovative course will teach therapists how to use films effectively in combination with positive psychotherapy. Cinema Therapy, a therapeutic modality that uses clients' experiences with movies for the therapeutic process, lends itself very well to be combined with or integrated into positive psychotherapy.
The course consists of three parts. The first part explains the theoretical background of positive psychology, positive psychotherapy, and Positive Cinema Therapy. This part also summarizes research results and discusses critical voices in historical context. After positive psychotherapy exercises and guidelines for Positive Cinema Therapy are introduced, the second part of this course presents extensive case material followed by categorized movie descriptions with viewing suggestions as well as guidelines for questions and interventions for clinical work. Brief descriptions of these categorized films offer a valuable resource for mental health practitioners and anybody who wants to use this course for their personal development. A comprehensive system of six classes of core virtues, made up of 24 measurable character strengths, provides a basic structure for this categorization. The third part of this course provides resources in the literature and on the Internet that can be used in implementing Positive Cinema Therapy.
Due to copyright laws, this course does not include movie clips, only descriptions of the movies.
Educational Objectives:
This course will teach psychotherapists to
Discuss positive psychology, positive psychotherapy, and Positive Cinema Therapy.
Summarize relevant research results and critical views in a historical context.
Explain how Positive Cinema Therapy can be integrated into the traditional therapeutic process.
Explain why and how Positive Cinema Therapy works.
Define criteria for choosing movies.
Select appropriate positive psychotherapy exercises and films.
Extrapolate Positive Cinema Therapy techniques and how to use them through case examples.
Course Syllabus:
Part I - Theory
Positive Psychology
History
Benefits of Optimism, Positive Emotions and Values
Flow
Classifications of Virtues and Strengths
Critique
Positive Psychology Coaching
Positive Psychotherapy
Definition
Research
Positive Psychotherapy Exercises
Critique
Positive Cinema Therapy
Why Films Aid the Positive Psychotherapy Process
Why Positive Cinema Therapy Works
How Positive Cinema Therapy Works
Criteria for Choosing Movies
Part II - Applications
Wisdom and KnowledgeBrokeback Mountain
Creativity: Billy Elliot, Sliding Doors, The Piano
Curiosity: The Truman Show
Open-mindedness: Grand Canyon
Love of Learning: Good Will Hunting
Perspective: Dead Poets Society, Mr. Holland's Opus
Courage: 28 Days
Bravery: The Accused, A Thousand Acres, Defending Your Life, Places in the Heart, Ruby in Paradise
Persistence: A Beautiful Mind, I Am Sam, Lorenzo's Oil, Seabiscuit, Shine
Integrity: The Insider, Where the Heart Is
Vitality: Fried Green Tomatoes, Real Women Have Curves, Waiting to Exhale
Humanity: Before Sunset
Love: Kolya, When Harry Met Sally
Kindness: Groundhog Day
Social Intelligence: About Schmidt, Parenthood
Justice: Lars and the Real Girl
Citizenship: Erin Brockovich
Fairness: Changing Lanes
Leadership: Malcolm X
Temperance: When Did You Last See Your Father?
Forgiveness and Mercy: The Story of Us, A Walk On The Moon, Courage Under Fire
Humility: Bounce, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
Prudence: The Horse Whisperer
Self Control: My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown
Transcendence: Under the Tuscan Sun
Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence: Il Postino (The Postman)
Gratitude: It's a Wonderful Life
Hope: Muriel's Wedding, Ordinary People, The Other Sister, The Shawshank Redemption