I’m going to be presenting the closing keynote speech at a conference in Hong Kong which focuses on using photography in coaching. I will be exploring the topic of therapeutic photography and how exercises can be shaped to achieve the intended outcomes of coaching, particularly around exploring the present, setting goals for the future, and identifying strengths. The conference is on the 16th December 2023…unfortunately I will be presenting virtually from Scotland so will not be able to attend in person.
On Saturday the 18th November, 2023, Dorota Raniszewska hosted the first International Symposium on Photography in Coaching. There were some excellent speakers including Judy Weiser and Mandy Seligman, and fortunately the whole event was recorded and is available to watch on YouTube.
I came across this video on YouTube and wanted to share it as it resonated. It has been made by a photographer, Rick Bebbington, and he talks about using photography (and other methods) to help make sense of who you are…lots of connections to what we do in therapeutic photography.
Del Loewenthal has an new book out about his experience of using therapeutic photography and phototherapy. In this article, Betty Romani offers a very positive review of this publication.
In July 2023 six graduates visited Aberdeen to collect their Post Graduate Certificates in Therapeutic Photography from Robert Gordon University. From left to right: Adrian Flint, Neil Gibson, Jean Philippe Gauvrit, Maria Chalari, Vangelis Kalos and Rebecca Rowan. They are amongst 16 students who completed the course which is the first of its kind in the world.
Here’s a recording of the Community Seminar series podcast where Dr David Smith interviews Dr Neil Gibson on Therapeutic Photography…and check out the Video/Media section of the website for more recordings.
Therapeutic photography is the practice of using photography in order to explore issues and reach defined outcomes with people who use services. It has been deemed to be an accessible tool which can have a positive impact on self-esteem, self-efficacy and empowerment. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, this research analyses observations and focus group feedback from a group of participants receiving support from a third-sector organisation for mental health issues. Specifically, the data were analysed to look at how a therapeutic photography programme contributed to group dynamics, exploration and outcomes. Three inter-related super-ordinate themes were identified, these being (1) exposing the self; (2) searching; and (3) developing the self. These themes centred around the identity of the participants as they explored their photographs and associated narratives. The results suggest that the medium of photography contributes to enhanced self-disclosure and social bonding through the familiarity of engaging with photographs. The photographs also enable participants to feel in control of the information shared, facilitating the level of exploration and personal learning around identity and roles and could be beneficial in social work with groups where these outcomes are sought.
Rebecca Rowan, founder of Mindful Photography UK, explores how wild places, wellbeing and photography come together to create moments of connection for World Photography Day in this article published on the johnmuirtrust.org site.
This beautiful short film was made by a French student called Bondil Fabien who I met in Finland. He attended one of my workshops on Therapeutic Photography and has incorporated some of what he learned in the video…enjoy!
Therapeutic Photography 