Reel Talk - Group Cinematherapy for Adolescent Black Males

Format

Individual Presentation

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Reel Talk Psychology, PLLC

First Presenter’s Email Address

drscott@reeltalk.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Growing up in Queens, New York, Dr. Scott has always been a fan of hip-hop music and movies, but he had no idea that these interests would heavily influence his professional career. After graduating with a BA in Psychology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, he then transitioned to Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology, located in Dayton, Ohio. It was during this time period that he saw the impact of media on the adolescents that he worked with and wondered if there was a way to utilize media for therapeutic gain. After doing research and discovering the theoretical underpinnings of cinematherapy, he noticed that there was no specific curriculum utilizing this intervention for people of color, especially adolescent Black males. His desire to fill this gap also became his dissertation topic and the early stages of Reel Talk were born. After returning to the U.S. from Guam in 2016, he now resides in Raleigh, North Carolina with his beautiful wife, the illustrious Dr. Erinn J. Scott and their precious daughter Michaela.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Scarbrough 3

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

This proposal is relevant to the Heart Strand, as Reel Talk is focused on developing assisting youth with their emotional regulation skills and decision-making. It is relevant to the Health Strand as it focused on the mental health of adolescent Black males by providing a forum for them to process their thoughts and emotions without it feeling like traditional therapy. It is also relevant to the Hands Strand, as there is a psychoeducational portion focused the legal system to help promote violence prevention through knowledge, as well as focusing on other solutions besides violence.

Brief Program Description

This interactive presentation will immerse participants in a Reel Talk session, where they will learn about tenets of cinematherapy, while also learning about engaging and effective therapeutic tools to use with adolescent Black males to address mental health needs.

Summary

Black adolescent males are simultaneously at a higher risk for mental health problems while often being hesitant to participate in traditional therapy. The discussion format of groups allows adolescents to share experiences, problems and reactions to situations as well as to explore alternative reactions and potential solutions. Peer influence has a powerful effect on adolescents. It is easier for adolescents to hear and receive criticism from a peer than from an adult. Also, hearing peers who have similar struggles normalizes the difficulties that the adolescent may be feeling, as sometimes they can feel like they are the only ones.

Cinematherapy, coined by Linda Berg-Cross, is defined as a therapeutic technique that involves having the therapist select films for the client to view. The utility of films is that they often reframe crises which in turn can cause clients to entertain doubts about their own crises. With cinematherapy, the clinician has the flexibility to ask questions directly or indirectly. By asking questions more metaphorically (i.e. “What do you think this character should do?” as opposed to “What would you do in this situation?”), the client is less likely to be defensive.

Reel Talk combines group therapy with cinematherapy, two separate processes that the literature deems effective, and then focuses the content to be relevant for Black adolescent males. Reel Talk addresses relevant topics for Black adolescent males such as friend choices, the effects of music on mood, father absenteeism, as well as psychoeducation regarding legal charges and consequences for felonies. Participants view movie clips, listen to current music and discuss real cases to drive discussions and increase understanding. Reel Talk also focuses heavily on the decision-making process, as the goal is to try to get participants to begin weighing things out to make the best decision.

The format of combining group therapy with culturally relevant media is a method that has the possibility of being translatable in a variety of environments. This method was utilized during the 2023-24 Academic Year at Tar River Academy, an alternative high school in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Results showed an overall increase in achievement motivation. Also, 94% percent of group participants either graduated, got promoted or transitioned back to a traditional educational setting.

Evidence

The format of combining group therapy with culturally relevant media was utilized during the 2023-24 Academic Year at Tar River Academy, an alternative high school in North Carolina. Results showed an overall increase in achievement motivation. Also, 94% percent of Reel Talk participants either graduated, got promoted or transitioned back to a traditional educational setting. Reel Talk groups were also facilitated at Saluda Trail Middle School, located in Rock Hill, South Carolina during the Spring 2024 Semester. The groups were used to help the 8th grade participants matriculate easier into high school. Pre-Post data showed an overall increase in achievement motivation as well as an overall decrease in risk for delinquent behavior, as measured by the Achievement Motivation portion of the Denver Youth Survey and the Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency. Also, 100% percent of Reel Talk participants at Saluda Trail successfully graduated.

The following is a list of relevant references:

Berg-Cross, L., Jennings, P., & Baruch, R. (1990). Cinematherapy: Theory and application. Psychotherapy in Private Practice, 8(1), 135-156.

Buskirk, W.D. (2017). Movies in Medicine: Cinema Therapy for Children Suffering From Chronic Health Conditions. Cinethesia: 6(1), 1-10.

Dunham, S.M. & Dermer, S.B. (2020). Cinematherapy with African American Couples. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76, 1472-1482.

Hamilton, J (2023). Movies on the couch: The MOVIE model of film therapy. Counseling and Psychotherapy Research, 00, 1-5.

Lampropoulos, G., Kazantzis, N., & Deane, F.P. (2004). Psychologists' use of motion pictures in clinical practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35 (5), 535-541.

Yazici, E., Ulus, F., Selvitop, R., Yazici, A. & Aydin, N. (2014). Use of Movies for Group Therapy of Psychiatric Inpatients: Theory and Practice. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 64 (2), 255-270.

Learning Objective 1

Learn about the theoretical underpinnings of cinematherapy

Learning Objective 2

Learn about building effective practices and interventions for students identified as needing Tier 2 services utilizing the MTSS framework.

Learning Objective 3

Learn about engaging and effective therapeutic tools to use with adolescent Black Males to address mental health needs.

Keyword Descriptors

Black Male Adolescents, Cinematherapy, Creative Interventions, Group Therapy

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-5-2025 9:45 AM

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Mar 5th, 9:45 AM

Reel Talk - Group Cinematherapy for Adolescent Black Males

Scarbrough 3

This interactive presentation will immerse participants in a Reel Talk session, where they will learn about tenets of cinematherapy, while also learning about engaging and effective therapeutic tools to use with adolescent Black males to address mental health needs.