Therapeutic Photography: 

The term used for photographic practices where the skills of trained therapists and counsellors are not necessarily needed.

Using photographs and photography to increase self knowledge, awareness, well being, relationships, and to explore societal issues such as exclusion, isolation and social injustice.

My name is Dr Neil Gibson and I am an Associate Dean at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland. I have been conducting research to explore the potential benefits of using photography in a therapeutic manner with service users from social work and social care settings. I have developed a programme which has been delivered across a number of different services with a large variety of people including those with mental health issues, substance use problems, caring responsibilities, autism, and criminal justice engagement. With all groups, the use of photography as a therapeutic tool suggests that the practice has positive benefits in terms of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and empowerment.

This website has been established to introduce interested people to the main elements of the programme. The specific programme is aimed at clients who are traditionally “hard to reach”, struggle with linguistic based interventions, and feel disempowered.

Photographs from participants will be added to this site (with their permission) to demonstrate images that have been produced, and the meanings attached to them.

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Listen to a short interview about Therapeutic Photography below: