Would you find it exciting to resolve your personal problems while having fun? You can. Many people have already. In her new book "E-Motion Picture Magic" Birgit Wolz shows you how to take advantage of a movie's impact to change unwanted emotions, attitudes, and behaviors. More importantly, she shows you how favorite films can evoke self-esteem, courage, and true authenticity. You will be able to enrich your life through the book's powerful guidance as long as you enjoy watching movies. Like no other medium before it, the popular movie presents the potential of a new power for illuminating the depth of human experience. E-Motion Picture Magic employs that power as a tool to increase consciousness. Cinema therapy offers more perspective on life, prompting the viewer to step back from his or her problems in order to feel less insecure, worried, or discontented. Using films for self-improvement allows a shift in perspective when viewed with conscious awareness. Throughout history philosophers, psychotherapists, and spiritual teachers have pointed to a shift in viewpoint as the key to emotional and spiritual growth. Such a change is one of the goals commonly sought by those who practice spiritual disciplines. The use of movies for personal growth and healing carries forward a long-standing connection between storytelling and self-reflection that may date back to the beginnings of spoken language. The movie experience used in a very specific way can have significant benefits for those who are willing to apply themselves using E-Motion Picture Magic that can be both beneficial as well as enjoyable. Watching a movie has a magical effect, more than any other storytelling medium; movies have the power to draw us out of ourselves and into the experience of their characters. At the same time it is often easier to maintain a healthy distance or perspective while watching a movie than it is in real-life situations. When psychotherapeutic tools are used to process this movie-prompted experience, healing and transformation can take place. Birgit Wolz offers movie suggestions, therapeutic methods, her own experiences, and those of her clients, accompanied by exercises that the reader can practice. --- from the publisher; read more at emotionpicturemagic.com About the Author: Dr. Birgit Wolz was born in Germany and has lived in the United States since 1989. Her love for motion pictures led her to a psychotherapy practice using the power of movies as an adjunct to traditional therapeutic methods in her work with individual clients, couples, and groups. Dr. Wolz has published articles on this subject in many periodicals and journals including the International Academy of Family Psychology, The Therapist, and Viewpoint, and is in demand for media interviews. She presents workshops worldwide. Her popular web site is widely recognized as being the most accessible and all-encompassing site on the subject of cinema therapy. She writes a column for The Therapist on therapeutic movie reviews and has served as a visiting faculty member at JFK University in Pleasant Hill, California. For more information about Dr. Wolz, see Psychotherapy with Birgit Wolz, Ph.D. Comments from other authors: "Although research has shown film to be the premier emotion generator, research has also shown that books can explain and explore complex issues far more effectively than can films. In essence, film arouses and print elaborates. A wedding of film self-help books can offer the best of both media." Stuart Fischoff, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Media Psychology "Imagine! Using the power of movies to discover and explore your important life issues. What a creative and enchanting way to gain perspective and make the changes you yearn for. Birgit Wolz's innovative E-Motion Picture Magic effectively guides you through this process, throwing in generous doses of fun as well." Elayne Savage, Ph.D., professional speaker and author of "Don't Take It Personally! The Art of Dealing with Rejection and Breathing Room-Creating Space to Be a Couple" "Clearly a love of movies and helping people inspire Dr. Wolz to broaden the reach of E-Motion Picture Magic. Read this book and you will never watch movies the same way again. Entertainment fueling personal growth - an intriguing path to enriching your life and (hopefully) to creating a better world is in your hands." Frank G. Sommers, M.D., FRCPC Psychiatrist and Film-maker "E-motion Picture Magic thoughtfully considers the many uses of movies for inner work. Joseph Campbell showed us the power of myth to help us understand ourselves, now Birgit Wolz reveals the healing possibilities of cinema. This book reveals the many benefits of exploring favorite films to learn about our emotional lives. Dr. Wolz draws on her experiences leading cinema therapy groups to show us how movies reflect our psychological dramas. Jonathan Young, Ph.D., Psychologist Founding Curator, Joseph Campbell Archives |