Film as Self-Care for Psychology Students: A Reflective Exploration Using the MOVIE Model

Film therapy has demonstrated potential to produce a range of therapeutic benefits, including reducing anxiety. Helping professionals, including psychology students in training, often experience stress and anxiety due to the emotional demands of working with, and studying, difficult issues. This paper explores how psychology students use film and television as self-care, and whether reflection using a questionnaire based on the MOVIE model can support this process. Responses explored students’ engagement with film and benefits. Reflexive thematic analysis of responses from 39 psychology students identified four key themes: benefits for wellbeing; relationships and connection; personal development through character identification; and promoting reflection within the individual Findings suggest that psychology students use film to manage stress and anxiety, experience relaxation and comfort, and select different genres to support wellbeing. The study highlights the potential for film watching, combined with a reflective process such as the MOVIE model, to be used by student services, therapists and clinical supervisors. Further research is needed to explore the use of film and television as self-care for psychology students and helping professionals, including how reflective models such as the MOVIE model may enhance engagement, wellbeing and personal reflection.