New Film Therapy Training – 7 week CPD Certificate Course

Film therapy, the therapeutic use of movies in psychological therapies, is a growing area of interest to therapists and researchers alike. Film therapy is a highly accessible and relatable method for many diverse client groups. Clients often talk about films and TV shows during therapy sessions as they see elements of their own story reflected on screen. This workshop explores how we can work with this therapeutically.

About Film Therapy Works

Film Therapy Works was founded by Jenny to meet growing demand for high‑quality training, supervision, counselling and consultancy in film‑based therapeutic practice. The organisation grew out of the MOVIE model — a trauma‑informed method for working with film created by Jenny — and builds on twelve years of clinical practice, research, teaching and innovation in film therapy. Our mission is to equip helping professionals with ethically grounded, evidence‑engaged tools that use cinematic material to support emotional processing, narrative meaning‑making and therapeutic growth.

This training presents the MOVIE model of film therapy, a widely applicable, trauma- informed framework for talking about film imagery and themes in individual or group therapy, counsellor education and as self-help. The model draws on mindfulness, experiential and narrative approaches to explore clients relationship with movies.

Film Therapy Works — The MOVIE Model: Trauma‑Informed Film Therapy CPD (7 Saturdays)

A seven‑session online CPD course for professionals that equips counsellors, psychotherapists and a range of helping professionals with a trauma‑informed, evidence‑engaged method for using film therapeutically. The training draws on research and clinical knowledge in creative and film‑based interventions to support emotional processing, narrative meaning‑making, and reflective professional practice. Course dates: seven consecutive Saturday mornings starting 14 February 2026. Special introductory price rice: £334 (usually £699).

Who this course is for and why it matters

Who: Counsellors, psychotherapists, clinical supervisors, trainee therapists on placement, mental‑health practitioners, arts therapists, psychologists and other helping professionals seeking practical, trauma‑sensitive tools to work with imagery, story and symbolism.
Why it matters: Film provides an engaging, accessible, symbol‑rich medium that can enable emotional processing and facilitate dialogue around difficult material through offering a reflective distance for clients and groups. This course shows you how to use film ethically and safely, integrate film work with established therapeutic models, and translate insights into clinical and educational settings.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Introduce film safely and ethically in individual therapy, group work and training contexts.
Apply the MOVIE model—Mindful Engagement, Observing Responses, Voicing Experience, Identifying Personal Relevance, Exploring New Possibilities—in clinical practice.
Use somatic, mindfulness and narrative techniques alongside film to support emotion regulation and meaning‑making.
Work with symbolic material and film metaphors to facilitate re‑authoring and post‑traumatic growth.
Design short film‑based interventions and integrate them into supervision, education and CPD.
Maintain therapist wellbeing through reflective practice and self‑care planning when working with evocative media.

Course structure and weekly outline

Day 1 — Foundations of Film Therapy (Jenny & Helen)
Overview of film therapy; ethical and trauma‑sensitive practice; evidence summary and case examples. Activities: grounding, reflective journaling, small‑group case discussion.
Day 2 — The MOVIE Model Overview (Jenny)
The five reflective steps and how they map onto clinical work. Integration with mindfulness, experiential and narrative therapies. Activities: MOVIE mapping, clip analysis, group reflection.
Day 3 — Mindful Engagement (Jenny)
Preparing clients for viewing; mindful and somatic facilitation; working within the window of tolerance. Activities: mindfulness exercises, role play, film clip reflection.
Day 4 — Observing Responses & Voicing Experience (Helen)
Tracking emotional, cognitive and bodily reactions; facilitating safe emotional expression and meaning‑making; dysregulation management. Activities: emotion mapping, grounding, expressive writing.
Day 5 — Identifying Personal Relevance (Jenny)
Linking film themes to personal, relational and cultural narratives; narrative therapy techniques and identity exploration. Activities: story mapping, symbolic art, reflective discussion.
Day 6 — Exploring New Possibilities (Helen)
Re‑authoring stories and integrating therapeutic insights; supporting growth and individuation; post‑traumatic growth frameworks. Activities: creative re‑storying, future‑focused reflection.
Day 7 — Application, Supervision & Self‑Care (Jenny & Helen)
Implementing film work in training and supervision; therapist wellbeing and reflective integration. Activities: self‑care toolkit creation, supervision‑style role play, closing circle.

Teaching approach and evidence base

Relational and trauma‑informed: Practice is rooted in safety, pacing, consent and the window of tolerance. Sessions emphasise co‑regulation, containment and ethical boundaries when working with evocative material.
Experiential and reflective: Each session combines concise theoretical input with live practice, role play, group reflection and application tasks to build confidence and competence.
Evidence‑engaged: The course draws on contemporary peer‑reviewed literature on film‑based interventions, creative therapy methods and trauma‑informed approaches to support its clinical rationale and practical tools.

Practical information and booking

Dates & format: Seven consecutive Saturday mornings starting 14 February 2026; delivered in‑person online.
Price: Introductory offer £334 for the full seven‑day programme.
Capacity: Limited to ensure small‑group practice and supervision‑style learning. Early booking recommended.
Inclusions: Course materials, slides, reflective exercises, practice checklists, and a certificate of completion for CPD records.
Accessibility: Trauma‑sensitive pacing and we are happy to discuss and consider accommodations and reasonable adjustments for disability/ neurodivergent needs—please notify organisers during booking.
What to bring: Notebook, headphones (if attending online), readiness to engage in experiential learning.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need prior experience with film therapy? No. The course supports beginners and experienced clinicians alike.
Will I get practical tools to use immediately? Yes. The course includes skills practice to learn techniques, practice checklists and reflective practice opportunities.
Do I get a certificate? A certificate of completion is provided.
What supervision is included? Training includes role play practice and opportunities to reflect and discuss skills; follow‑on options to join a reflective film therapy circle of practice will be discussed by the facilitators.

To Reserve a place go to our Eventbrite page here

Jenny Hamilton

Jenny is the creator of the MOVIE model and founder of Film Therapy Works. With over 20 years experience in the helping professions and over twelve years of experience in film therapy clinical practice, higher‑education teaching, programme design and research, Jenny specialises in trauma‑informed and neurodivergent‑affirming approaches to creative therapy. She is a qualified counsellor and mindfulness teacher who has led training and CPD for clinicians, educators and allied professionals in a variety of settings over the last 15 years. Jenny’s work focuses on developing innovation in practice, translating research into accessible, practice‑focused tools and supporting therapist wellbeing through reflective practice and mindfulness.

Helen Kemp

Helen is an experienced practitioner and trainer who facilitates Film Therapy Works training. Helen brings a background in therapeutic practice, group facilitation and applied creative methods, with a strong emphasis on safely working with symbolic material and supporting emotional expression. As a trainer, Helen combines clinical insight with practical teaching skills, guiding participants through experiential exercises, emotion‑focused interventions and strategies for managing dysregulation when using evocative media.