08-October-2008
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Bernie Wooder has published his latest book entitled

"Movie Therapy, How It Changes Lives"

The power of movies to help the depressed and despairing when used as a tool in therapy, is vividly described in a new book Movie Therapy – how it changes lives.

The book’s author, psychotherapist Bernie Wooder, was listening to a client talking when a film suddenly flashed across his mind. That was how his pioneering work on movie therapy began, an approach that today attracts huge interest in both therapy and film circles.

By encouraging people to examine their chosen films as part of their therapy Bernie Wooder found he could help them unlock their traumas – with astonishing results. As the fascinating stories in this book show, movie therapy is no gimmick nor quick fix. Rather, in the hands of a trained professional, it can promote healing and assist people in leading more contented and rewarding lives.

Says Bernie Wooder: "Movies are the most powerful creative art form that exists today, watched and understood by everyone. It makes sense to harness this power and use it as an aid to relieve suffering."

The book is published by Rideau Lakes Publishing

Price (Approx): £10 GBP + P&P

Ordering information will follow shortly

14-July-2008
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Bernie Wooder & BW-Consultancy present

Click here for further details
www.bw-consultancy.co.uk/mindfulness

07-Jan-2008
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Need more information of Movie Therapy?

Further details on Bernie Wooder?

Find us on

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=bernie+wooder

14-Mar-2006
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Independent Newspaper Article (UK Press)
Natasha Courtenay-Smith reports
Published: 14 March 2006

Hollywood on prescription
If you're struggling with debt, unlucky in love, or just tired of life, would you turn to 'Rocky' for help? Movie therapy is moving into the mainstream.

At the Baftas last month, film producer Lord Puttnam made a moving speech as he collected his Fellowship Award. In it, he spoke about the power of films to heal, and cited a scene from The Sixth Sense that had helped him come to terms with the death of his father.

His words came as music to the ears of the London-based psychotherapist Bernie Wooder, who for more than a decade has been prescribing films to help alleviate his clients' emotional troubles.

Lacking in motivation? A concoction of Rocky and Lawrence of Arabia will inspire you. Feeling jaded with life? A dose of Don Juan DeMarco before bedtime and you'll wake with your enthusiasm fully restored.

Once dismissed as psychobabble, Wooder's branch of counselling is now being accepted into the mainstream. Three years ago, Wooder began training therapists at Guy's Hospital, London, and last year the Royal College of Psychiatrists deemed his techniques to be a "useful aid" in counselling.

A film buff since childhood, it wasn't until 15 years ago that Wooder's passion and profession collided. Then, during a counselling session, a film sprung into Wooder's mind that seemed to sum up the complicated emotions his client was struggling to articulate.

"This woman had been betrayed by her partner," says Wooder. "As she talked, I found myself thinking about a scene from On the Waterfront. In it, Marlon Brando discovers that his own brother, whom he idolises, is not as honest as he'd thought. His face at that moment expressed all the pain that my client clearly felt.

"I asked her if she'd seen the film and her face just lit up. She said: 'That's exactly it. That is how I feel.' It was so helpful to her to know that I understood where she was coming from. I thought straight away: 'There's something in this.'"

On its deepest level, movie therapy involves encouraging individuals to talk about what films say to them, in terms of the plot, music or even a glance one character gives another. But films can also be prescribed to help individuals out of emotional predicaments.

Wooder describes an insecure businessman who was catapulted to chairman after watching Rocky every night, a client who swears by The Remains of the Day because it hammered home to her what life would be like if she did not make changes, and even a priest who was inspired to go backpacking after One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest highlighted his fears about becoming institutionalised.

Over the past few weeks, Brokeback Mountain, as well winning three Oscars, has also been a hit in Wooder's therapy rooms. He has female clients who say the film has helped them realise that their frustration with life is due to the fact that they have never experienced the level of love and intimacy depicted between the two cowboys.

Films can also aid communication between warring couples. Natalya Joseph, 48, turned to Wooder for help when her marriage reached breaking point because of her insecurities about her husband's first wife, who had died of breast cancer four years earlier. "I felt very insecure that I couldn't match up to his first wife," she says. "I also had a difficult relationship with my mother-in-law, who didn't seem to like me. I'd tried to explain it to my husband and we'd ended up having huge rows."

Wooder encouraged her to watch the 1940 film Rebecca, in which the second Mrs De Winter is made to feel inferior to the memory of her husband's dead wife, Rebecca.

"The looks of loathing that the housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, who had adored Rebecca, gave the second Mrs De Winter exactly captured how my mother-in-law made me feel," says Joseph.

"Wooder suggested I watch the film with my husband, pointing out the scenes I thought important. It proved to be a far easier way of explaining to him how I was feeling and how his mother makes me feel. For the first time in our marriage, he understood my perspective. And having seen the way Mrs Danvers was behaving, he could also watch for things his mother did to undermine me."

According to Wooder, anything about a film that seems to resonate is worth exploring. One of his clients, who had been verbally and physically abused as a child and as a result was very introverted, spoke to him about the impact the 1998 film Hope Floats had had on her, despite its being largely about divorce.

"The bit that got to her was one scene in which their daughter is watching her father pack his bag into the car. As he drives away, she lets out the most ear-splitting scream.

"The scream represented the years of distress she'd endured. The scream had broken through to her in a way that I, and no other therapist, had ever been able to. With that emotion finally freed, she was able to open up and eventually move on."

For more information, go to www.themovietherapist.com

Watching brief - the healing power of film

THE PROBLEM: Lack of drive
THE SOLUTION: Iron Will, Rocky, Lawrence of Arabia

Wooder says: "Iron Will is based on a true story and is about sheer determination. The boy's triumph is enough to spur anyone on. Rocky and Lawrence of Arabia show similar successes."

THE PROBLEM: Bereavement, loss or a broken heart
THE SOLUTION: Truly Madly Deeply, Ghost, Great Expectations

Wooder says: "Truly Madly Deeply and Ghost deal with the feelings of the person who is left behind. In Great Expections, the bitterness of Miss Havisham shows what happens if grief isn't worked through."

THE PROBLEM: Debt
THE SOLUTION: The Money Pit

Wooder says: "Laugh your head off at this film and you'll at least find the humour in your situation. Afterwards you'll feel better able to cope."

THE PROBLEM: Insecurity
THE SOLUTION: Shirley Valentine, Muriel's Wedding

Wooder says: "There's a wonderful moment where Shirley is feeling embarrassed by her stretch marks and Costas, her Greek lover, kisses them one by one and tells her that they are what make her a real woman. I've used this film many times to help older women as it gives them a different perspective on beauty."

THE PROBLEM: Boredom
THE SOLUTION: Educating Rita

Wooder says: "After watching this film, one of my clients even handed in their notice at the office job they were sick of. It's all about broadening your horizons.

THE PROBLEM: Relationship rut
THE SOLUTION: Before Sunrise, Before Sunset

Wooder says: "Both films are riveting for those who are looking for meaning in their relationships. Use the film to stimulate discussion about what is important."

THE PROBLEM: An affair
THE SOLUTION: The Bridges of Madison County

Wooder says: "Anyone considering leaving a marriage or an affair can be helped by mulling over all the issues about love and loyalty raised by this film."


2006 Latest
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See Bernie Wooder in action. 2off TV clips ('Good Morning' and 'Richard & Judy') have now been added to the website.

Bernie just appeared on BBC Hereford & Worcester Radio in January discussing his latest "Film of your Life" 10 point Questionnaire, and the story Ian Fleming (Author of James Bond) told his children.

2005 Update
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Bernie Wooder has been very busy this year, with numerous TV, Radio appearances and articles in various Newspapers and magazines. Below is a list of a few other these. We shall be over the coming weeks be expanding these with further detail and also adding in some audio and video clips.


Television
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Richard and Judy
This Morning


Sunday Newspapers
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Sunday Telegraph
Mail on Sunday

Radio
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BBC Radio 4
LBC (twice)
BBC Manx
BBC Solent
BBC Northampton
BBC Essex
BBC Houe
BBC Hereford & Worcester
BBC Leeds
BBC Oxford
BBC Shropshire

Magazines
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Take a Break


Online Articles
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Telegraph Newspaper
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/03/06/nfilm06.xml

Borehamwood Times Newspaper
http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/archive/display.var.472970.0.0.html

Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/365335/ref%3Ded%5Fart%5F81493%5Ftxt%5F1/203-6066955-7190354

Cinema Therapy
http://www.cinematherapy.com/pressclippings/timesoflondon.html

PR Newswire Europe
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=60819

12th April 2003

2 new pages have been added to The Movie Therapist website.

Latest Movie Reviews

Leave us your Movie Story Experience

26th June 2001, 2.00pm Onwards

The Movie Therapist - Bernie Wooder is appearing on the John Pilgrim show on Three Counties Radio, 95.5FM (Beds) 104.5FM (Bucks) 103.8FM (Herts) on the 26th June, 2.00pm Onwards.

Bernie will be discussing different aspects of Movie Therapy to raise awareness of the treatment, each Month he will be focusing on several common scenarios--from ending a relationship to stress at work.

Scenario will be on

Having a Baby

click here for more details

Watch out for further radio shows over the coming months

30th May 2001

Bernie Wooder is appearing on the John Pilgrim show on Three Counties Radio, 95.5FM (Beds) 104.5FM (Bucks) 103.8FM (Herts). Bernie will be discussing different aspects of Movie Therapy to raise awareness of the treatment, each Month he will be focusing on several common scenarios--from ending a relationship to stress at work.

This Month Scenario will be on

Betrayal

for more details

Watch out for further radio shows over the coming months

1st May 2001

A monthly movie competition has been added to the website, each month you have a chance to win a 10 top DVD of your choice. click here to enter the May competition.

28th April 2001

Bernie Wooder is producing a new book on all aspects of Movie Therapy and it's importance in today's society.

Its publish date is to be in September 2001, but you can pre-register your interest for a copy by clicking here

10th April 2001

We've added the Lifestyle and Corporate Coaching page. Click here

10th March 2001

The Movie Therapist - Bernie Wooder reviews Ridley's Scott's film, 'Gladiator'

click here to read the review.

 

 

1st March 2001

The Movie Therapist - Bernie Wooder appeared in the newspaper The Daily Record [Scotland] today with a two page article titled "Film Star Treatment"

18th February 2001

The Movie Therapist - Bernie Wooder appeared in the free newspaper The Metro today with a half page article titled "Lookin' for love on the sliver screen"

February 2001

Did you see
THE MOVIE THERAPIST
' The One and Only'

Bernie Wooder
on

with
Richard and Judy

Bernie Wooder appeared on 'This Morning' with Richard and Judy, in February 2001, to talk about all aspects of Movie Therapy and how it can increase awareness and therapeutic value.

It's was also a chance to personally chat to Bernie - The Movie Therapist, as he hosted a live 15min phone-in session.

Thank you to all those who did turn on and tune in, and a special thanks to the people who also phoned in to discuss movies and their healing powers.