Audiovisual Therapy Professional Feedback

Today, I conducted a short interview with Paul Richards, a psychotherapist in Nottingham who specialises in anger management. After showing him the material that was produced as part of the study and explaining the purpose and intentions of the project, he provided some insight as to how effective he thinks Audiovisual Therapy might be at treating mental illness. Below are the short answers to a questionnaire I asked him to complete and some of the points that came up in the interview:

1. How effective would you say the methods highlighted by this study would be at inducing a relaxed state in a client? (Circle one)

Very Effective Moderately Effective Slightly Effective Not at all

2. Do you think this would be a successful treatment technique for anxiety? Please provide your reasons for why.

"Yes - ambient anchoring"

- Ambient anchoring is the process by which a mood can be set through music and imagery. For example, a video might be played to a group to set a positive atmosphere before discussion starts.

3. Could you see Audiovisual Therapy being used as a treatment for mental illness? If so, please describe what illnesses might be benefited.

"Yes - with mild (very mild) depression and anxiety - problem is there is no feedback to the medium."

4. Would you consider using Audiovisual Therapy as part of your practice? If so, how might you use it?

"Yes - in training and groups as an anchor."

5. What changes might you make to the material that was produced as part of this study and why?

"No, none at all."

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During the interview Paul made several points, the most important of which are outlined below:

1. Audiovisual Therapy would be an effective tool for therapy when used for ambient anchoring. This method attempts to "anchor" an atmosphere or mood. This is useful when working with groups, as it produces a similar reaction by all of the clients and can positively influence the discussion.

2. The use of Audiovisual Therapy is similar to what Paul tries to achieve mentally. He says that he works with creating mental images in clients' minds and that it is the invitation to a feeling or belief that is significant, not the actual image itself. Through this way, Audiovisual Therapy would prove to be effective in changing mental processes and causing positive physical reactions to most individuals, most of the time. However, its purpose is a broad version of the "finesse" practice of actual therapy.

3. A major drawback of using Audiovisual Therapy material as a method of treatment is the factor of dependence. If a clip proves to be highly effective, for example to an insomniac, then psychological dependence could be formed, thus contributing to the problem. Paul states that especially for an individual who suffers from OCD, which by nature involves excessive repetitive actions, it could become an "unnecessary necessity".