Exploring therapeutic tools for child abuse Survivors: Autobiographical documentary filmmaking as a representational strategy & therapeutic toolbox?
I am a Survivor-researcher at Waikato University. My PhD research explores the wellbeing outcomes of creating and viewing autobiographical documentaries about child abuse and recovery.
As such, I have interviewed four filmmakers, and have gained fascinating insights into their experiences! The second part of my investigation is about understanding how the documentaries might impact viewers, who are also Survivors of abuse – which is why your expertise is needed!
I invite members of the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists (and other mental health professionals who this advertisement reaches!) to participate in an interview to discuss what you think their wellbeing impacts could be – primarily on viewers who have lived experiences of abuse. We can also touch on the filmmakers if you’d like to.
I have permission from the filmmakers to share their films with you, so that our discussion may be informed by your viewing experiences (you may watch any (or all) of the three documentaries I have access to).
This is a unique opportunity, since these films have only recently been distributed overseas, and they are not accessible in Aotearoa as of yet.
Interested in participating? Know someone who might?
I have an information sheet, which provides additional details about your potential participation, the value of this research study and the potential outcomes.
If you would like to read the information sheet to find out more, or if you have any questions or concerns about potentially participating, please get in touch with me. I am happy to accommodate your needs and orientate the nature of the interview to suit you, as much as possible.
I also welcome other mental health professionals who might like to participate. If you have a colleague or know someone who might be interested, please feel free to send them my way.
You can reach me,
Anthea Visage, via email: ac176@students.waikato.ac.nz
Ngā mihi for reading and considering this call for participants. This project is very special to me, and I deeply appreciate it.