The Use of Phototherapy in Group Treatment for Persons Who Are Chemically Dependent

Abstract

This study used photography as a therapeutic tool and a present-focused approach in a 12-week group intervention to treat adults with chemical dependence enrolled in an outpatient treatment program. A qualitative analysis identified themes related to the topics of trust, honesty, self-worth, power, and abuse. Self-esteem, abuse, and trauma-related symptoms were also assessed using the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory (MSEI), the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI), and an abuse questionnaire. Pre- and posttests on the MSEI showed increases in self-esteem for all but one participant. The majority of participants also reported trauma-related symptoms, and all participants reported past abuse victimization.

Could participant-produced photography augment therapeutic interventions for people with intellectual disabilities? A systematic review of the available evidence

“…There was a higher proportion of females in all studies where gender was reported (n ¼ 7), with the exception of Glover- Graf and Miller (2006), Schudson (1975) and Germain (2004) whose participants were predominantly male. The mean percentage of females across the studies where details of gender were provided was 60.58%.…”

“…Assessment of reliability, validity and generalizability of (continued) (continued) (continued) (continued) findings was hindered somewhat by provision of limited information in many cases. This included limited participant information (Bradbury et al, 2010;Davison, 2009;Land et al, 2009;Mizock et al, 2015;Peterson, 2015;Schudson, 1975), limited information regarding photographic methodologies and equipment (Glover- Graf and Miller, 2006;Mizock et al, 2015) and omission of post-intervention outcomes in cases where outcome measures were implemented (Peterson, 2015;Schudson, 1975).…”

“…Studies were undertaken internationally including the United States (n ¼ 9), the United Kingdom (n ¼ 2), Iceland (Einarsdottir, 2005) and Sweden (Elinder et al, 2012). Participant ethnicity was reported in one study only (Glover- Graf and Miller, 2006) in which participants were 'White' (20%) and Hispanic (80%).…”

“…Three of the 13 identified studies described photography alongside supportive health/well-being interventions. These included a wellness-focused supportive oncology programme (Peterson, 2015); reflection on mental illness and identity (Mizock et al, 2015) and a present-focused approach for adults with chemical dependence (Glover- Graf and Miller, 2006).…”

Therapeutic photography: enhancing patient communication

“…After World War II, photography was used by recovering servicemen for recreation, but therapeutic benefits were also noted, leading to the adoption of the technique in some civilian hospitals to aid recovery from physical and psychiatric illnesses (Perchick, 1992;Glover-Graf and Miller, 2006). Since the early 21st century, the therapeutic use of photographs has been divided into two categories: phototherapy and therapeutic photography.…”