Accessing Inner Worlds - Photos as a Social Work Tool

by Cathy Lander-Goldberg, MSW, LCSW

     As a teen, I discovered the power of photography... the magic of the darkroom, the heightened awareness of beauty in the world, the confidence from learning a new skill, the gratification from capturing a unique image, and the esteem of being the one with the camera.  

     Years later, as a professional photographer, I volunteered at a residential treatment center teaching teenage girls my trade, and once again, discovered its power. Before cell phone cameras and "selfies," the girls found ways to create self-portraits through reflections in mirrors, windows, or water and by using the self-timer setting. They were drawn to seeing themselves in various ways and capturing the different sides of their personalities and looks. In addition, they loved other photo assignments, which allowed them to photograph the things, people, and places important to them.

     At that time, I began researching and utilizing therapeutic photography as well as other methods of expressive techniques. Though this was pre-Internet, I was miraculously able to find and corresponded with Judy Weiser, R.Psych, A.T.R., the founder and director of the PhotoTherapy Centre, who generously shared her archives of articles about both therapeutic photography and PhotoTherapy. (For more information, visit  https://phototherapy-centre.com/).

     I learned that for adolescents and children who do not always have the words to articulate their feelings and thoughts, images may help them express themselves. Later, I returned to school to earn a master's degree in social work, to use my passion for the arts to help others connect with and express their voices. 

     Expressive techniques are applicable in numerous settings. I have conducted workshops with a variety of populations and in settings such as schools, camps, youth groups, residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, and in outpatient clinical sessions with individuals and groups. These techniques work well with many populations and are particular helpful for many adults who are more cerebral and have difficulty accessing feelings.

     There are many ways to use photography. On several occasions, I have taken at-risk adolescents on field trip photo shoots in the community, which gave them the chance to see things in a new way and build social skills. Then, we displayed their photos in exhibitions, which gave an opportunity to build self-esteem. Activities for both individual and group settings may also include viewing clients' past or current images (on cell phones or those they bring in); giving them disposable cameras or inexpensive cameras to photograph their environments, families, and interests independently; making collages from magazine photos; or having a photo session in which clients photograph themselves, a part of themselves, or a possession that is meaningful to them. Viewing these images, writing about them, and discussing them provide a window into clients' lives and allows the social worker to learn more about how they see things. Obviously, because of confidentiality, attention must be paid to the rules of the agency and release forms. Another consideration with confidentiality is what to do with the images clients bring in or take.

     In my outpatient clinical practice with individuals and groups, I often start a session with an image. This may come from photos they have brought in based on an assignment, something they wanted to show me on a cell phone,  or one they chose from my collection. It also may come from creating a collage, drawing, or  painting. Then, I give participants open-ended writing prompts about the image or images. The writing helps to reflect and organize their thoughts. For many, writing is a safer way to disclose thoughts and feelings than speaking directly to a social worker or therapist. Last comes the sharing. In a group setting, I always ask participants to communicate what they are comfortable disclosing. In an individual session, clients typically share all of the writing and are given the choice of reading it to me or having me read it to myself.  Time and time again, the writing is rich with disclosures, which would likely not have come up in verbal sessions.

     Expressive techniques such as photography, writing, and other arts are tools for both the client and social worker to benefit from by accessing inner worlds and processing thoughts and feelings.

A Sample Assignment

     The following sample assignment comes from my book, PHOTO EXPLORATIONS: A Girl's Guide to Self-Discovery Through Photography, Writing and Drawing. This is a workbook for girls ages 9-15, although assignments are relevant to other ages. Readers may work on this book independently, but assignments also work well in groups and individual sessions.The assignments utilize expressive arts on topics including identity, family, peers, worry management, coping skills, and body gratitude, as well as personal strengths, challenges, and meaning in readers' lives.  

WHO IS THE "REAL" YOU?

     We all have many roles in our lives and behave differently with different people. If you are with your best friend, you may act silly, but when you are with other friends you may act “cooler” or in a more mature manner. When you’re alone with a parent in the daughter role, you may behave more childlike, and when you are with a teacher, you may play the role of the serious student. So, who is the real you? All of your roles (daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, student, athlete, performer, babysitter, etc.) contribute to who you are, and they all may feel like the “real you” at times.

     Think about times when you feel most comfortable or most like the “real you,” and create a self-portrait (or use a photo you already have) to show it. Maybe it will be a photo of you snuggling with your pet, reading a book, running in a race, or digging in a muddy garden. If you have trouble deciding on one image of the “real you,” you may decide to take (or draw) two pictures, cut them in half, and glue them together to illustrate this, or make a collage of different pictures that show the true you.

     After you have your image, explain how it shows the real you and how it feels when you are being the real you.  

Cathy Lander-Goldberg, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker, professional photographer, educator, and author of PHOTO EXPLORATIONS: A GIRL'S GUIDE TO SELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY, WRITING AND DRAWING.  She facilitates workshops for girls and women and is the photographer/curator for The Resilient Souls Project, a traveling exhibition that highlights strength and perseverance in women. For more information on this book or bringing The Resilient Souls Project to your area, visit www.clgphoto.com or FaceBook: Photo Explorations.

Read The New Social Worker's review of Cathy Lander-Goldberg's book, Photo Explorations.