1st Edition
The Handbook of Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography For the Professional and Activist Client
This text introduces the concepts, essential tenets and basic techniques of Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography.
Through the use of case studies and the author’s own professional experience, this book covers the practices, together with their theories and research behind phototherapy and therapeutic photography providing a comprehensive range of major approaches. Examples include Talking Pictures Therapy, Reenactment Phototherapy, the creation of therapeutic photo-books, stories, and diaries, and the therapeutic use of portraiture. Chapters also explain how we can effectively use these techniques in a variety of contexts including private practice, voluntary organisations, schools, prisons and management consultancy, as useful adjuncts to primary practices as well as for self-help.
This handbook is for therapists, photographers, other professionals, clients and activist clients.
1. An overview of phototherapy and therapeutic photography: For the psychological therapist and other professionals, activist client, and client 2. Phototherapy and Talking Pictures Therapy The cases of Jake, Frank, Mickey, Dan and Miranda 3. Therapeutic photography Cases of ‘Exhaustion and Depression’ and ‘Loss and Bereavement’ 4. The creation of therapeutic photo-books Demario’s Talking Pictures Book for his son, Nicholas 5. Re-enactment phototherapy The case of My Father the Kristallnacht Carrier 6. Therapeutic Photo Diaries A case of COVID : The Personal, the Political and the Professional 7. Professional and Personal Development: The use of photography in coaching, training, team and management development :The case of Linda a Project Manager in a Multi-National Company 8. The Development of Action Plans through Photography:The case of Roger and Photo-assisted Employability/Rehabilitation 9. The therapeutic use of portraiture including ‘selfies' :Cases of ‘Two Hats’ and ‘What’s Truthful?’ 10. Can Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography be a practice of Ethics? Cases of the ethics of famous photographers 11. Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography: Theory, Research and Evaluation The case of Talking Pictures Therapy as Brief Therapy in a School Setting 12. Bringing it all together: Training yourself and others as phototherapists and therapeutic photographers and facilitating workshops: The case of a Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography Workshop for young LGBT+ People
Biography
Del Loewenthal, PhD is an existential–analytic psychotherapist, photographer, and chartered psychologist. He is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, the British Psychological Society, and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy; and Emeritus Professor of Psychotherapy and Counselling at the University of Roehampton.
"Deliberately aimed a wide audience – of not only therapists, but also clients and self-help activists – this book provides both an overview of phototherapy and therapeutic photography as well as detailed accounts of its practice. Beautifully illustrated throughout, both in terms of photographs and appropriate case studies, this well-designed book takes the reader through the history of this form of therapy and its various applications, to its use in professional and personal development, action planning, and training. Also, in its discussion of perceptions, subject and object, and ethics, as well as the author’s own story, there is a subtle but distinct and powerful political thread to this book – I recommend it highly."
Professor Keith Tudor, Auckland University of Technology
"Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography have a long history but never have they been more relevant and important than in today’s complex world. Del Loewenthal is one of the leading academics in the field and is well-placed to explore how they are used by practitioners across a wide-range of real-world settings. His book brings together current research, provides new insights through real-world examples, and offers practical exercises in how phototherapy and therapeutic photography can be applied. It is highly recommended."
Dr Michael Pritchard, Director of Programmes, The Royal Photographic Society
"Can photographs bring about therapeutic change? This remarkable handbook sets out to illuminate the many ways that phototherapy and therapeutic photography can help to release feelings into words, facilitating psychological development. Written for both clients and practitioners, Del Loewenthal, a master-practitioner in the field, provides us with a feast of fascinating ideas from individual and organisational case studies to issues concerning theoretical approaches, techniques, research methods and professional training."
For those seeking creative inspiration and new avenues for personal growth, I cannot recommend this book too highly."
Professor Rosemary Rizq, Professor of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, University of Roehampton.
