In this conversation, Rosie Elvin speaks with Jenny Hamilton, a senior lecturer in counselling and psychological therapies, about her career journey and the innovative use of film in therapy. Jenny discusses her five-step movie method designed to help clients engage with films as a therapeutic tool, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. They explore the accessibility of film as a medium for emotional processing and reflection, the implications of binge-watching, and the importance of understanding neurodivergence in therapeutic settings. Jenny also shares insights on her future projects and the significance of self-compassion in creative practices

You can find Jenny here - www.jennyhamiltoncounselling.co.uk

Jenny's paper is here: Hamilton, J. (2024). Movies on the couch: The MOVIE model of film therapy. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 24, 385–389. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12658

Conversation article on why movies can be good for your mental health: https://theconversation.com/watching-movies-could-be-good-for-your-mental-health-214325

Autism Ally AI Wellbeing companion is here: https://commonroom.emoexai.com/autism-ally (or search for the Emo Ex app on your phone)

For academic enquiries, here is Jenny's University of Lincoln staff profile: https://staff.lincoln.ac.uk/3e38b77a-3df4-4732-a224-99b8edd7e8d5

In this episode, Francesca Lanz, an Assistant Professor of Interior Architecture at Northumbria University, delves into the intricate layers of heritage and adaptive reuse. With a focus on the transformation of former asylums and prisons, Francesca shares her insights on how these spaces can connect the past and present, offering a platform for reflection and understanding. Her work highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in architecture and the ethical considerations involved in preserving difficult histories

Francesca can be found here - https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-staff/l/francesca-lanz/

In this episode, Rosie Elvin interviews Doug Gittens, a senior lecturer and course leader at Nottingham Trent University, about his experiences with dyslexia and neurodiversity in the field of design and education. Doug shares his journey from struggling in school to finding his passion in art college, and how his unique way of thinking has become a strength in his career. The conversation delves into the challenges and misconceptions around neurodiversity, the importance of self-awareness, and the strategies Doug has developed to navigate his professional life

Doug can be found here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/staff-profiles/architecture-design-built-environment/douglas-gittens