What we do.

We design and deliver evidence based therapeutic arts programs with a focus on photography.

Working at the intersection of the arts, community, mental health and wellbeing, we design and deliver evidence based programs that focus on the creative process of conceptualising, creating, sharing, and analysing photography and digital media in a structured, guided engagement to achieve clearly defined outcomes. We use a strengths based approach.

Our programs use participatory approaches including PhotoVoice, Therapeutic and Mindful photography methodologies along with Photography Education to create a holistic experience for participants that is outcomes focused. Our approach draws on growing evidence of the importance and efficacy of the use of arts in individual and public health. 

 
 

Different projects have different aims and objectives,
and work on three levels:

  1. The Individual

  2. Relationships

  3. Society

 

Common outcomes include:

  • Improved social connection/ reducing isolation

  • Better understanding of the self and ones emotions

  • More easily able to express and communicate emotions, and processing of emotional distress or trauma.

  • Improved overall mental health and wellbeing

  • Building resilience

  • Personal growth and increased confidence

  • Processing change, grief and loss

  • Provide valuable communication tools for marginalised groups

  • A deeper understanding of the self through an exploration of identity and emotions

  • Amplifying voices and directing them to a particular audience for advocacy

  • Providing vocational skills

  • Enhanced Self Esteem and Self Efficacy

  • Supporting the development of social and communication skills

  • Raising awareness

  • Advocating/ campaigning for change

Frequently Asked Questions?

  • Therapeutic Photography can be described as follows:

    “where photo-interactive activities are used to increase people’s own self-knowledge, awareness, and well-being, improve their relationships with family and others, activate positive social change, reduce social exclusion, assist rehabilitation, strengthen communities, deepen intercultural relations, lessen conflict, bring attention to issues of social injustice, sharpen visual literacy skills, enhance education, expand qualitative research and prevention methodologies, and produce other kinds of photo-based personal/emotional healing and learning. (Judy Weiser, 2021)

    “Therapeutic Photography is a structured, guided, engagement with the creative intervention of photography in order to produce images for exploration with clearly defined outcomes for the participant.” (Dr Neil Gibson, 2020)

  • Therapeutic Photography is not therapy, although some of the outcomes may be similar to a therapy session. Workshops are delivered by a trained facilitator and creative arts professional working from the perspective of using creative arts as a therapeutic tool. Facilitators are not psychologists or counsellors, however if necessary a clinician will be present during a workshop for additional support, usually provided by our partner organisations.

  • PhotoVoice is a methodology that uses participatory techniques. It is described by founder Caroline Wang as:

    “… a methodology based on the understanding that people are experts in their own lives. Using PhotoVoice methodology, participants allow their photographs to ask the questions “Why does this situation exist? Do we want to change it and if so how? By documenting their own worlds, and critically discussing with policymakers the images they produce, community people can initiate grassroots social change. Projects help amplify voices and get help get them heard by specific audiences”

  • Mindful or contemplative photography helps us to become more connected to the present by slowing down and using a camera and our sight to ground us. It helps promote compassion, gratitude and acceptance. At Folkal we use a combination of techniques mostly derived from the Look Again model by Ruth Davey which is evidenced by studies from the University of Gloucestershire.

  • The education of photography explores visual literacy, photographic genres, photographic techniques, photographers and the history of photography. Programs will cover different aspects of photography education based on the aims an objectives, however most will cover at least some introductory visual literacy and technical information.

  • Photography can be useful as a communication tool when it is difficult to verbalise certain issues that may be quite emotive. It can be effective crossing cultural boundaries, or for those who lack verbal skills. Recently photography has become more accessible making it an art form for everybody. It can be easily shared and is a universal language. It is portable and has good documentary potential. From a therapeutic point of view, it can help to isolate problems and issues to be viewed as separate to the self assisting with understanding and acceptance.

  • Therapeutic Photography is a relatively new discipline. However, the techniques used by Folkal are based on evidence from the fields of social work, psychology and human development. Furthermore, our practitioners have post graduate level training in therapeutic arts to ensure the delivery of a safe and professional intervention.

    Some of the key research and evidence are listed below. Full articles can be provided on request.

    BOOKS

    Therapeutic Photography by Dr Neil Gibson - GIBSON, N (2018) Therapeutic Photography, London, Jessica Kingsley

    PhotoTherapy Techniques by Judy Weiser - Weiser, J (1999) PhotoTherapy Techniques, PhotoTherapy Centre Press.

    JOURNAL ARTICLES

    Social Work With Groups: Feeling Connected and Understood: The Role of Creative Arts in Engaging Young Adults in Their Mental Health Services

    Andrea Cole, Nadia Jenefsky, Shelly Ben-David & Michelle R. Munson (2018) Feeling Connected and Understood: The Role of Creative Arts in Engaging Young Adults in Their Mental Health Services, Social Work with Groups, 41:1-2, 6-20, DOI: 10.1080/01609513.2016.1258619

    Research in Psychotherapy: Navigating the complexity of the therapeutic and clinical use of photography in psychosocial settings: a review of the literature

    Saita, E., & Tramontano, M. (2018). Navigating the complexity of the therapeutic and clinical use of photography in psychosocial settings: a review of the literature. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2018.293

    Journal of Counseling and Psychology: Using Therapeutic Photography Techniques to Increase the Wellbeing of College Students

    Tourigny, Licia and Naydenova, Ivelina (2020) "Using Therapeutic Photography Techniques to Increase the Wellbeing of College Students," Journal of Counseling and Psychology: Vol. 3 : Iss. 1 , Article 4.

    Mindful Photography Look Again Method

    RESEARCH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE

    Research Report 1

    Engage with Your Community with Fresh Eyes: preliminary evaluation of mindful photography as an intervention to support wellbeing. By Sumner, R. C., Hughes S. & Crone, D.M. (2019). This was a 9-month Look Again project funded by Gloucestershire County Council.

    Research Report 2

    See with Fresh Eyes: mindful photography for improved mental health. A mixed methods evaluation delivered by Look Again in partnership with Create Gloucestershire. Sumner, R. C., & Hughes, S. (2021). This programme was awarded a grant by the BUPA Foundation.