The Therapeutic Use of Photography in Clinical Social Work: Evidence-Based Best Practices

Abstract

This project systematically identified evidence-based interventions using photography in mental health practice. The initial search of the literature produced 4,929 hits, title reviews reduced this set to 225 possible studies, abstract examination refined this list to 81, and analyzing the articles determined that only 23 meet selection criteria for inclusion in this project: psychosocial-oriented intervention within the domain of social work practice with supporting empirical data. The majority of interventions involved assignments that included taking photographs or creating some kind of photographic product (e.g., collages, time-series of snapshots). Typically, these photographic activities were done in group or individual therapy and focused on social skills, coping skills, self-esteem, or identity for adults and adolescents. The empirical support for these protocols was usually from case studies or single-group design evaluations, all reported practical or theoretically significant improvements, and three produced statistically significant effects. This article will then discuss the implications of findings and direction for future research.

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