Movies, Myths and Life Lessons
by Patricia Hamilton
(Mono Unlimited: Ashburton Victoria, 2025)
In 1980 a colleague told me every counsellor should see the movie, Ordinary People, to learn how therapy can change the lives of people trapped in unresolved grief; suicidal ideation; blaming; ensuing guilt; and the struggle to return to normality. The movie confirmed important lessons for me: creating rapport with clients; being human and empathic; listening to what they are not saying; and being totally open, without judgment or blame, waiting for them to find the trust and courage to reveal the issues they need to address.
Many movies have followed in the footsteps of Ordinary People: standing in opposition and contradiction to the various modalities that have evolved since then.
Yes, movies grab me – and books as well. One particular book showed how musicals of the 1950s fostered a myth of a ‘happily ever after’ life if I just followed the rules; predominantly, co-dependency. That particular rabbit hole was difficult to navigate. There had to be an alternative.
Again, movies provided the next step. What lessons do we need to learn to challenge the world we live in? Enter M. Night Shyamalan: each of his movies comes with a lesson; some simple, some complicated, all deserving our attention.
So, join me at the movies. Bring your own Jaffas – but don’t roll them down the aisle… they will get stuck under the sofa!
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“Pat Hamilton challenges the dominant narratives and norms of mental health care provision through her accrued wisdom as a practising psychologist and the enlightening prisms and illustrations of movies. Her story telling and reflections bring life, ballast and rich dimension and relief to a field of practice thirsty for more effective care.”
– Cherie Baxter, Registered Music Therapist (RMT), Registered Guided Imagery and Music therapist (RGIMT), Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT)
“Dramatic movies, as described in this book, re-create the ancient myths and stories which so closely underpin aspects of our lives today. A ‘Must Read’ for all caring therapists.”
– Carolyn Van Dort MA; Grad Dip GIM; Grad Dip Music Therapy; B. Mus, Primary Trainer MIAA & AMI, PACFA Clinical Member
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PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
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PURCHASE NOW
“Here’s Looking at You, Kid!” is now available for AU$29.99 from Amazon.
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Also available:
Patricia Hamilton’s first book, Therapy on Platform 9¾: Journeys through Dissociative Identity Disorder (Mono Unlimited: Ashburton Victoria, 2022) is also available through Amazon for $24.99.