Diane Hovey, PhD, LAMFT, CPT
PhotoTherapy & the use of PhotoTherapy Cards
1st Session (1:45 to 3:15)• What is PhotoTherapy – and what are phototherapy
cards?• Theoretical basis• Why the need• How they are used
2nd Session (3:30 to 5:00)• Hands on – practice using the phototherapy cards• Alternative uses• Participation required!
Workshop Overview
PhotoTherapy techniques are therapy practices that use people's personal snapshots, family albums, and pictures taken by others (and the feelings, thoughts, memories, and associations these photos evoke) as catalysts to deepen insight and enhance communication during their therapy or counseling sessions (conducted by trained mental health professionals), in ways not possible using words alone.
Judy Weiser -- www.phototherapy-centre.com
PhotoTherapy Techniques
Visual Anthropology/Sociology
Video Therapy
Photographic and Cultural Studies
Photo Art Therapy
Therapeutic Photography
Fields of Study Related to PhotoTherapy
Presentations – conveying lived experience to those without similar outside
Group therapy & workshops
Research
Individual, family & couple therapy development of PhotoTherapy Cards
Use of PhotoTherapy
What is a child’s life enmeshed in a service
delivery systemfocused on body parts?
Therapies, braces, equipment, medications, medical appointments,educational needs and
personal cares – prescribed by professionals –
appropriated by gate keepers.
But the child -- where is the focus on my child?
A healthy child needs to be part of a communitythat can celebrate with her
and for her.
Group Therapy – Writing the Rollercoaster
Workshop – Illuminating the Fog
Research – meanings of living with disability or chronic illness
I have to smile when I look in our “snack” cupboard. I spend time looking for the highest fat content on each box and bag of snacks I buy. The higher the better. How different from the way my friends think . . . . than the rest of America.
Why Cards? – when the other techniques are so rich
Ease of use
Can use when needed without prep
Can be used when in a pinch to change dynamics, get out of a rut
Based on research – offers possibilities (ideas & feelings) that may not otherwise be explored
Offers a new language for expressing feelings
A convenient tool for engaging clients in reflective thinking and expression of thoughts and feelings typically difficult to express
PhotoTherapy Cards
PhotoTherapy Cards:Development & Theoretical Foundation
Idea for the PhotoTherapy Cards stemmed from the uses already mentioned – communicating lived experience, meanings research and use in workshops and group therapy.
The selection of the specific images are based on: ongoing collection of data
What is it like to live with an ongoing health condition?List five words . . . _________________
Stress and family systems theories Meanings research
Boss Contextual Model of Family Stress
MEANINGSsituational
family identityworld view
-
DEMANDSstressorsstrains
daily hassles
CAPABILITIES resources
coping behaviors
FAMILY ADAPTATION- +
MEANINGS
situational
family identity
world view
-
-
+
FAMILY ADJUSTMENT
CAPABILITIES
resources
coping behaviors DEMANDS
stressors
strains
daily hassles
Adju
stm
ent
Phase
Adapta
tion P
hase
crisis
crisis
CRISIS
The Family AdjustmentandAdaptationResponse(FAAR)Model
What is your primary concern or worry related to the current issue?
Worried about the effect we will have on the children whether we stay together or split apart. I don’t want to walk on eggshells anymore.
List five words that describe your thoughts and feelings related to your primary concern?
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Intake Information - excerpt
WorriedTiredNumbIndifferentuncertain
Five Wordsafraid/scared angry/mad appreciation betrayed/cheated
blah/bored blessedappreciation
brave bummeddepressed, disappointed
burden(physical or financial)
care challengeddifficult, struggle
confused/ puzzledcomplicated, uncertain
chaos curious cursed determined/strong
eager enlightenededucated, fascinated
exhausted excited - fungifts, new people
gratefulthankful, rewarded
grumpy happy/gladjoyful
hassleddemands
helpless hopeful humbled hurt
inspired jealous lonely love
miserable numb optimistic odd /out of kiltertime altered
pain protected proud overwhelmedout of control
resigned restless resentful ridiculous/silly
sad spirited stressed shocked
tiredsleepy
tortured unique uncomfortable
vulnerable weird wizened worriedconcerned, nervous
Assist in moving beyond language bound barriers
Opens a new way to convey experience WITHOUT the preconceived notion that the therapist and the youth are speaking the same language
Actively engages individual in discovery process
Individual feels better understood and more engaged in their own healing process
Photo Therapy Cards
express complex feelingstalk about guarded thoughtsthink multi-dimensionally get out of a rut or move beyond a plateaurecognize salient aspects of an issue not
previously seengive a tangible way to express feelings unpack multi-level meanings that impact livesinterweave contradictory thoughts and feelingsmake the chaos of emotions more comprehensible
The PhotoTherapy CardsTM help make it possible to:
Consider an issue or concern that is currently on your mind.Family challenge (child or partner’s ongoing illness)
Work demands (to move office or not)
Client issue (do the needs of the demanding client reflect my own needs)
Personal reflection (am I doing the work I need to be doing?)
Select one of several of the images and use them to reflect on your current concern.Jot downs thoughts
Sample Exercise
Sorting & narrowing the selection
Discussing the selectionTell me about your selection.
Do not assert your personal interpretations
Build discussion based on client’s comments
Photo Therapy Card Selection
There are no right or wrong selections
A good selection is one that honestly reflects ones current thoughts and feelings
The therapist should not make assumptions about the selections
Using the Photo Therapy Cards
Weathering Your Marriage
On-line quiz
Weathering Your Relationship
http://aheartt.limequery.com/26761/lang-en
www.aheartt.com
On-line quiz
Weathering Your Relationship
http://aheartt.limequery.com/26761/lang-en
www.aheartt.com
Weathering Your Marriage