Newswise — Mental health professionals have long been concerned about potential negative effects of on-screen fictional portrayals of their profession, including concerns that viewers will be less likely to seek help after viewing these movies, that consumers’ perceptions of mental health care will be impacted negatively, and that misperceptions about the therapy process will be promoted. The Family Institute at Northwestern University’s Adam Fisher, PhD, is available to comment on the cinematic portrayals of mental health treatment and mental health professionals.
“Portraying the process of therapy is challenging for filmmakers who may resort to representing effective treatment as resulting from sudden and dramatic catharsis or uncovering deep secrets. Films also tend to promote common misconceptions about psychotherapy for dramatic effect,” explains Dr. Fisher.
Dr. Fisher earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology at Indiana University. His primary area of expertise is in working with couples. His main approach to treating relationships is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). He also provides discernment counseling, designed to assist “couples on the brink” in having greater clarity and confidence in the decision-making process about divorce, and to better understand prospects for restoring and improving their marriages.
To speak to Dr. Fisher about common misconceptions about mental health treatment or the stereotypes of mental health professionals portrayed in movies, or to learn more about The Family Institute, please contact Cyndi Schu, Director of Public Relations, at cschu@family-institute or 312-609-5300, ext. 483.
ABOUT THE FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY – For over 45 years, The Family Institute at Northwestern University (www.family-institute.org) has been committed to strengthening and healing families and individuals from all walks of life through clinical service, education and research. An affiliate of Northwestern University, The Family Institute is a unique, innovative not-for-profit organization, governed by its own independent Board of Directors and responsible for its own funding. The Institute offers a wide range of high quality mental health counseling through our staff practice and our sliding-fee scale Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic, where we are committed to serving at-risk, under-resourced communities. The Family Institute also operates two nationally-renowned graduate programs in marriage and family therapy and counseling psychology in affiliation with Northwestern University, and conducts cutting-edge research projects that lead to a better understanding and treatment of mental health issues.
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