I am not a movie expert, but I am a movie lover. Since I was a child, movies had a strong impact on me: I identified with movie heroes and gained strength and courage that way, or I learned to understand my inner world through understanding my emotional reactions to movie scenes or characters. I experienced catharsis through movies too. For example when I had a life-threatening stroke, I became physically and emotionally paralyzed and could not even cry. I noticed with surprise that I started crying uncontrollably whenever I saw films that showed characters in tragic experiences. All the blocked up tears began flowing in response to watching the characters’ pain.  
About five years ago I visited a workshop called “Movies and Mythic Imagination – Using Films in Depth Psychology”. I became fascinated with the idea of using movies with my clients to understand their emotional issues and to support their process. Now I use Cinema Alchemy my writing, in my practice with individual clients, couples, in a weekly Cinema Alchemy group, and in workshops. I have amazing success with this method. Therefore I am very passionate about teaching it.

Birgit Wolz, Ph.D., MFT
Author
Psychotherapist
Cinema Therapist
Clinical Hypnotherapist

General Information: http://www.cinematherapy.com
Book: http://www.emotionpicturemagic.com
Workshops: http://www.cinemaalchemy.com
Psychotherapy Practice: http://www.bwolz.com

E-mail: bwolz @ earthlink.com