If you are not aware, "selfie" is a term used in popular media to describe a picture that is taken by a person of that person. Selfies are fun - we see pictures of people holding their phones in just the right position to capture a new outfit, an exciting moment, new hairstyle, or whatever. Selfies show the world what we are doing, and how good we look doing it! It's probably the most common way of sharing photos on Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat - you name it. You see the word everywhere - articles, blogs...I think there is even a show called Selfie (though I'm not sure if the same definition applies). So how can this phenomenon, commonly used for entertainment, be helpful in a therapeutic way?
In the work I have done with clients, Self-Esteem is probably one of the most common issues that arises (with both male and female clients, adults and adolescents). Self-acceptance is not something that is promoted in our society. In a society driven by commercialism, it would be counter-productive to reinforce feeling satisfied with who we are and what we look like. If someone loves their appearance and accepts themselves "as is," then why would they need your product? Why would they need laser hair removal, make-up, an expensive hair stylist, or other means of changing what they look like? A person satisfied with their appearance is the worst consumer for someone in the beauty industry. So feelings of dissension are promoted; feeling less-than, not good enough, too skinny, too fat... feeling downright ugly - all these things are reinforced.
Many of the teenage girls I've worked with can not even stand to look at themselves in family photos and pictures with friends. They avoid being in pictures, even when they risk losing the ability to capture an important memory. Or they take the other route - they over-expose themselves in photos by using provocative poses, over-the-top makeup, and/or revealing clothes. All with the goal of making some sort of improvement and presenting a photo that is acceptable and well-liked by peers and other "followers" on social media.
In using selfies as a therapeutic photography method, I can challenge clients to express the underlying emotions they experience when they look at photos of themselves. It presents an opportunity to discuss the judgments they pass on their appearance, as well as a way to slowly begin the process of acceptance. Photos, when they are not altered, are static - they show us what we captured in a very straightforward, simple manner. I believe it is important to begin work on self-esteem in that manner - no alterations, no improvements. Over time, as clients are exposed to their photographed-self, they can notice subtle changes in themselves over the course of therapy, explore emotions, discover more of who they are, and begin to love what they see.
Therapy is a healing process, but it doesn't have to feel like work every step of the way. Consider adding an alternative method like PhotoThearpy to your therapy process to address issues in a new way.
- written by Nakya Reeves, LMFT. I am a therapist and owner of a private practice where my main focus is working with families on communication issues, especially the parent-teen relationship. I also utilize PhotoTherapy techniques in my practice, which integrates bringing in photos that the client has taken or collected as a part of the therapy process. I can be contacted any time at csolutionstherapy@gmail.com
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