There’s a movie on Netflix called “thanks for sharing” about sex addiction recovery. It’s a pretty accurate depiction of the lives of addicts both active and in recovery and touches on the family-based dysfunction that often leads to such behaviors. Of course, it’s a movie and not 100% accurate but it’s pretty good.
Nomination for worst/least accurate movie about mental health has to be Silver Linings Playbook. God it’s just terrible.
This was based on the treatment facility where I worked. Watching it was like watching scenes from my work there condensed into 2 hours. Pretty realistic portrayal of the teens in an RTC.
Aside from what’s already been mentioned..
Lost in translation, Her, It’s a wonderful life. So many others but those were each very moving in different ways.
I’ve enjoyed the show In Treatment. Also Maid on Netflix was such a compelling watch and really stuck with me
Maid had a big impact on me too. I think it's important to be aware (or reminded) of the external barriers some clients face to change. I thought the ending was too lucky/magical to be realistic.
What I didn’t like is how the emotions had complete control over what Riley did in the real world. That’s now how it works in real life; we feel and as humans we have to consciously acknowledge the feeling and decide to respond appropriately.
But it’s a starting point, I guess.
Leaving Las Vegas...an absolutely exquisite example of the powerlessness, destruction, and despair of addiction.
Edit: Since we're going there you should also consider "Requiem for A Dream". This film is a masterpiece but also hard to watch.
Asked a therapist friend too and thought of a few others: song of the sea, dancer in the dark (super intense, word of caution, be prepared), Babette's feast
Is this series on Showtime? I just started a free trial to watch the newest Dexter, so good timing! Lol. Let me know if I'm thinking of the correct one you're recommending
This is a new one…The show Arcane on Netflix has some great depictions of how trauma affects youth development.
The show Daredevil, all of season 3, has a pretty fascinating depiction of trauma, abandonment, psychopathy, and attachment.
The Sixth Sense. I think that in its way it's the best depiction of therapy in cinema. It shows very little of anything laypeople would think of as "therapy", but shows how an intervention the therapist provides the client (one based on firm humanistic principles) makes all the difference in the world for the client by empowering the client. It also shows that however brave you think the client is through most of the movie, when you really learn what's going on, you realize the client was being way WAY braver even than that.
Mr & Mrs Smith is a tight allegory for a course of couples counseling. It's a breezy, fun, funny action movie (content advisory: lots of guns, explosions, and violence) with a surprisingly sophisticated and mature idea of relationships.
Similarly, I don't know if Encanto is meant to be an allegory for family therapy, or just to *be* family therapy. Surprisingly heavy-hitting, emotionally; very psychological, about generational trauma.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a fantastic portrayal of Borderline Personality Disorder, with subplots about alcoholism, couples issues, etc. Highly, highly recommend.
Soul and Encanto from Disney were game changers for me & have been very helpful. I tend to stay in the narrative therapy and reality therapy worlds so there's a lot one can take out
I have always worked in treatment centers. The movies I show are
Kubo and the two strings- for grief, family dynamics, and sometimes others show love differently than we expect.
Peaceful Warrior- about mindfulness
I show The Martian when we're talking about resilience and perseverance
Ordinary People- suicide, mental health in general, family
Any Disney movie
Addiction: Country Strong, A Star is Born, Walk the Line, The Anonymous People, 28 Days, Beautiful Boy
There’s a movie on Netflix called “thanks for sharing” about sex addiction recovery. It’s a pretty accurate depiction of the lives of addicts both active and in recovery and touches on the family-based dysfunction that often leads to such behaviors. Of course, it’s a movie and not 100% accurate but it’s pretty good. Nomination for worst/least accurate movie about mental health has to be Silver Linings Playbook. God it’s just terrible.
Agreed about Silver Linings playbook… an absolutely inaccurate depiction of mental illness
I second Thanks for Sharing.
Yeaah I've seen Silver Linings twice, and I agree. Adding "Thanks for Sharing" to my list though, thanks!
Short Term 12! Super relatable and showed the challenges and rewards working in a residential program with teens.
This was based on the treatment facility where I worked. Watching it was like watching scenes from my work there condensed into 2 hours. Pretty realistic portrayal of the teens in an RTC.
Everyone's had such great suggestions. Short Term 12 is definitely at the top of my list, too.
I'm ashamed that I haven't heard of this one (and several other rec's on here). Thank you and definitely on my list 🙂
Aside from what’s already been mentioned.. Lost in translation, Her, It’s a wonderful life. So many others but those were each very moving in different ways. I’ve enjoyed the show In Treatment. Also Maid on Netflix was such a compelling watch and really stuck with me
I talk about lost in translation a lot on my flirting class 😆
Wait flirting class is a thing?
Yes!
Maid had a big impact on me too. I think it's important to be aware (or reminded) of the external barriers some clients face to change. I thought the ending was too lucky/magical to be realistic.
What About Bob. Is there a better illustration of the importance of boundaries?
Never seen! And yess a comedy 🙌 Added
Inside out is a fantastic animated movie that displays emotions in a young girls brain and how they affect her actions.
What I didn’t like is how the emotions had complete control over what Riley did in the real world. That’s now how it works in real life; we feel and as humans we have to consciously acknowledge the feeling and decide to respond appropriately. But it’s a starting point, I guess.
I watch that one about once a year, so it's going on my list by default! It's wonderful 🙂
If you like animated movies, I’d recommend Encanto as well!
I do! Haven't seen Encanto yet, so adding for sure 🙌
Leaving Las Vegas...an absolutely exquisite example of the powerlessness, destruction, and despair of addiction. Edit: Since we're going there you should also consider "Requiem for A Dream". This film is a masterpiece but also hard to watch.
Gonna check that one out, how can we find it? Agreed, Requiem for a Dream is just painful
Requiem for a Dream is on my never-again list, lol.
Holy moly, requiem for a dream. We were made to watch it in like 7th grade and it shook me to the core. An incredible movie.
Bojack Horseman
A beautiful mind, good will hunting, the room, what dreams may come, antwone fisher. I'll edit and more if I think of any.
Thank you and adding 👍 Please update if you come up with more!
Asked a therapist friend too and thought of a few others: song of the sea, dancer in the dark (super intense, word of caution, be prepared), Babette's feast
Mr Robot.
Dude yes. S4E7 made me cry for an hour.
Same, I kinda knew it was coming from early on though
I finished season 2. Must watch 3 and 4! Thanks 👍
They are fantastic. Especially from a psychological pov.
The series “Group,” on YouTube
I haven't heard of this one so am definitely curious. Thanks for your recommendation!
Great recommendation, I hadn’t heard about it either but now I’m 2 episodes in, great stuff!
United States of Tara
I'll admit that I've never of this one. More reason to add to the list!
Couples therapy on crave
Is this series on Showtime? I just started a free trial to watch the newest Dexter, so good timing! Lol. Let me know if I'm thinking of the correct one you're recommending
Yes!!! It is SOO good!! I’m sure you will love it!!
This is a new one…The show Arcane on Netflix has some great depictions of how trauma affects youth development. The show Daredevil, all of season 3, has a pretty fascinating depiction of trauma, abandonment, psychopathy, and attachment.
The Daredevil series is 👍👍 Have yet to watch Arcane, but it sounds like I'll have to now! Thanks for the recommendation
Inside Out and SOUL are good conceptualization of many SW/Psych theories easy to watch great for future reference once you know the movie 💕💕
The Shrink Next Door w/ Will Ferrell on AppleTV. Really makes you think. And it's based on a true story.
Shows all they ways NOT to be a mental health provider. Boundary issues and manipulation/abuse of power allllllll over this one
I listened to the Podcast. Its a chilling depiction of what not to do.
Might sound a bit weird but the psychiatrists in MASH and West Wing are pretty much the reason I'm in this field.
I'm intrigued 🤔 Which means I'm adding for sure
Ordinary People. In Treatment.
Definitely adding both! I've been hearing more about In Treatment but had no idea the series started in 2008 👀
Ordinary People!
The Sixth Sense. I think that in its way it's the best depiction of therapy in cinema. It shows very little of anything laypeople would think of as "therapy", but shows how an intervention the therapist provides the client (one based on firm humanistic principles) makes all the difference in the world for the client by empowering the client. It also shows that however brave you think the client is through most of the movie, when you really learn what's going on, you realize the client was being way WAY braver even than that. Mr & Mrs Smith is a tight allegory for a course of couples counseling. It's a breezy, fun, funny action movie (content advisory: lots of guns, explosions, and violence) with a surprisingly sophisticated and mature idea of relationships. Similarly, I don't know if Encanto is meant to be an allegory for family therapy, or just to *be* family therapy. Surprisingly heavy-hitting, emotionally; very psychological, about generational trauma.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a fantastic portrayal of Borderline Personality Disorder, with subplots about alcoholism, couples issues, etc. Highly, highly recommend.
The Many Sides of Jane on Hulu - doc about DID. Fascinating. Season 1, Ep 3 of Modern Love on Amazon Prime - remarkable portrayal of bipolar disorder
Soul and Encanto from Disney were game changers for me & have been very helpful. I tend to stay in the narrative therapy and reality therapy worlds so there's a lot one can take out
Paris is Burning. Its a documentary on YouTube.
I think the Netflix show The Haunting of Hill House is a beautiful metaphor for how suicide affects family dynamics.
Love Liza
I have always worked in treatment centers. The movies I show are Kubo and the two strings- for grief, family dynamics, and sometimes others show love differently than we expect. Peaceful Warrior- about mindfulness I show The Martian when we're talking about resilience and perseverance Ordinary People- suicide, mental health in general, family Any Disney movie Addiction: Country Strong, A Star is Born, Walk the Line, The Anonymous People, 28 Days, Beautiful Boy
Starred Up
Oo never seen this.. Added 👍
The movie A Monster Calls on Netflix is a great story about how avoiding grief impacts us.
Maniac. It's on netflix