Using Film and TV in therapy
Sev Ulgu, one of our Psychological Therapists, reflects on her recent training in the use of Film and TV in therapy settings.
When a character puts your feelings into words: What films and TV can bring to therapy
Have you ever watched a scene and thought, “That’s exactly how I feel, but I’ve never known how to explain it”?
Perhaps you recognise the character who overthinks every conversation, struggles to say no, or feels they are never quite good enough. Sometimes, a story can help us notice something about ourselves. It can also give us a way to begin talking about it.
I recently attended Amy Beddows’ BABCP training, Films, TV and CBT: How to Bring Media into Therapeutic Practice. It encouraged me to reflect on how the programmes, films, music and stories we connect with might help us feel understood in therapy.
What stayed with me most was a simple idea: the things that matter to you deserve curiosity.
You might find it difficult to explain how anxiety affects you, yet recognise it immediately in a character. You might struggle to describe a relationship, but remember a scene that captures something familiar. Bringing that reference into therapy can offer a starting point.
You do not need to arrive with the “right” words.
Research into the therapeutic use of films describes how identifying with characters may support reflection and create a shared language between a person and their therapist. The evidence is still developing, but it offers an interesting way to think about how stories can support conversations (Sacilotto et al., 2022).
What we watch – and what it means to us
The same programme can mean very different things to different people. One person might enjoy the humour; another might feel connected to a character’s loneliness, determination or fear of rejection.
In therapy, I would be interested in what it means to you.
For example, noticing how kindly you respond to a struggling character might help us explore the standards you apply to yourself. Would you judge them as harshly for making a mistake? Would you expect them to cope without support?
These questions may help us find a more balanced and compassionate perspective on your own experiences.
Stories can also bring our expectations into focus. If you often finish scrolling or watching something feeling less attractive, less successful or further behind, that response may be worth exploring. Together, we can consider the messages you are taking in and how they connect with the beliefs you already hold about yourself.
Comfort, distraction and finding a balance
Returning to a familiar show can feel comforting. You know the characters, you know what happens, and there are few surprises. It may be a welcome way to unwind after a demanding day. Sometimes, though, watching or scrolling can leave us feeling worse - or take up time we wanted to spend sleeping, seeing people or doing something meaningful.
The training reminded me of the importance of understanding what a habit does for us before trying to change it. If it offers relief from anxiety or loneliness, that relief matters. We can acknowledge it while also asking whether the habit is helping you over time. In CBT, this kind of exploration helps us understand the connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The aim is to work towards choices that support the life you want.
You can bring your everyday world into therapy
Therapy does not have to begin with a perfectly organised account of what is wrong. You might start with a recent conversation, a difficult moment at work – or a character who seems to capture how you have been feeling.
My takeaway from this training is to make more room for those connections, while keeping our work grounded in your needs and goals. Films and other media may offer a useful way into a conversation, alongside established therapeutic approaches.
If you are considering therapy for anxiety, low self-esteem or difficulties in relationships, you are welcome to get in touch. And if there is a story that says something you have struggled to put into words, you are welcome to bring it with you.
Training and further reading
Beddows, A. (2026). Films, TV and CBT: How to bring media into therapeutic practice [BABCP webinar].
Sacilotto, E., Salvato, G., Villa, F., Salvi, F., & Bottini, G. (2022). Through the looking glass: A scoping review of cinema and video therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 732246. Read the review.
