Cinema therapy can be a catalyst for healing and growth for those who are open to learning how movies affect people and to watching certain films with conscious awareness.
[2] Cinema therapy has been said by its proponents to change an individual's thoughts, feelings and ability to manage life events.
[2] Cinematherapy as a form of self-help for women using a variety of movies was popularized by the humorous series by Nancy Peske and Beverly West.
The Health and Welfare Director at the Royal British Legion, Sue Freeth, stated "Rehabilitation is not only a huge physical challenge, but involves recuperating mentally as well.
"[8] Chicago Institute for the Moving Image (CIMI) uses the creation of films as a means of therapy for individuals in therapeutic care with depression, amnesia, schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses.
Writing, producing and directing movies "provides a certain amount of therapy, organization, and order that people with psychological diseases need, and it helps the therapist see what the conflicts are within their patients' lives," said CIMI's executive director, Joshua Flanders.