Like many therapists, I entered the world of psychotherapy having already had another life in another profession. My background in the arts began with a simple Advanced Level (A-level) in film. This simplicity stemmed from there being no deliberate career plan attached to my film interest. My undergraduate degree in film felt like a similarly easy choice, not merely because it slid into the court of public opinion that deemed film and media degrees an easy ride, but also because at this point, I was still unaware that for me, the most fascinating aspect of life was understanding character.

My life in the arts had me fortunate enough to wear many different hats: television (TV) researching, presenting, acting, producing, directing, and writing. When I embarked on my psychotherapy training, a fusion occurred. I began writing a column in Transactional Analyst magazine called "Film Scripts," where I psychologically analyzed film and TV. It was immensely satisfying, and I had the joy of creating something from inception. I chose which psychotherapeutic lens I would look through to talk about a theory I had seen embodied in film or on TV and which had moved me.

The more clients I spoke to, and the more stories and struggles I listened to, it occurred to me that I used to, and still do, use film as therapy. There is something so unique in what directors and actors do, what writers shape and editors frame, and what music conveys and makeup artists create. There are so many more invaluable individuals that are part of bringing this magic to the screen. Films are healing because there is collaboration born into their existence, and when we first enter therapy, we can often find ourselves feeling alone.

In my private practice, a client’s life story unfolds in visual images as they talk, and there is so much to be understood by the specific cast the client has brought into the therapy room. Certain scenes will be replayed over and over again, and this repetition compulsion continues until the family member or friend gets it right and plays the scene as the client has written it. Or perhaps the client has come because they do not know how to write a new ending, but they know that something has died.

Often, a client will have a favorite movie which will reveal important information about how they see themselves or how they see their life. I might recommend a client watch a movie I believe will be particularly stimulating for them, and then we discuss how it has made them feel in the session.

My new book, The Cuckoo’s Nest: Exploring the World of Psychotherapy Through Film (Beazley, 2026) was published by Wiley in June 2026. I take 20 psychotherapy concepts and explore each one through a different movie. I illustrate each concept through the interactions of the characters in the film and the film itself. In addition, I also use vignettes from my psychotherapy training over the course of four years to further bring the concept to life using my own personal experience. The book is aimed at psychotherapy students, psychology and film enthusiasts, and anyone interested in emotional self-development.