Therapeutic Photography as an Artistic and Expressive Tool for Representing Psychiatric Disorders Towards Mental Health Recovery

Articles in Press

Document Type : scientific articles

Authors

1 Photography, cinema &tv department -Faculty of applied arts- October 6 university - Cairo- Egypt

2 Department of Photography, Cinema, and Television Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University - cairo - egypt

3 Department of Photography, Cinema and Television, Faculty of Applied Arts October 6 University - cairo - egypt

Abstract

Art therapy has become a contemporary approach widely used in mental health care, with therapeutic photography emerging as an effective tool for expressing internal emotions and thoughts nonverbally. Therapeutic photography enables individuals, especially those who face challenges in verbal communication such as depression and anxiety patients, to transform complex psychological experiences into visual images that can be analyzed and addressed within a therapeutic context. Artistic photography relies on the personal and creative vision of the photographer, allowing unique expression of identity and psychological states beyond documentary or commercial photography.

This research focuses on exploring the psychological principles that support the use of photography as a therapeutic tool, examining its application in treating specific mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also discusses various artistic techniques and styles employed by photographers, including conceptual and surreal photography, which help create visual symbols representing complex emotional states. Furthermore, the study covers diverse therapeutic photography applications, including self-portraiture therapy, trauma processing, support for children and adolescents, and fostering creative thinking.

Additionally, the research reviews prominent global initiatives and projects that utilize photography to promote mental health awareness, such as the PhotoVoice project and The One Project, highlighting the importance of photographic imagery as a means of self-expression and social communication.

Keywords

Journal of Heritage and Design

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 June 2025

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