In recent years, it has become clear that while traditional mental health therapies are effective for many, there is a growing need for innovative methods to help those who struggle to express their emotions or process traumatic experiences.
Through the search for alternative tools, therapists and researchers have come across a surprising new medium: animation.
Quint Boa, a qualified psychotherapist, author, and founder of the animation studio Synima, highlights how unlike traditional therapy which relies mostly on verbal communication, animation can speak directly to the subconscious mind.
A Softer Approach to Therapy
Quint explains that when people are faced with direct discussions about their trauma, they may instinctively shut down or become resistant.
Traditional therapy methods, which often rely heavily on verbal communication and direct confrontation, can be too challenging for some. However, animation, through visual metaphors, sound and storytelling, offers a gentler way to explore complex emotions. This approach reduces the risk of shutdown by reaching individuals in a manner that feels safe and non-invasive, allowing for deeper emotional exploration.
A Tested Method
No method can be deemed effective until it has been tested, and animation has proven its worth in trauma therapy. Quint Boa, both an animator and a psychologist, can provide several compelling examples.
Boa recalls an example working with children struggling with unresolved trauma and anger management. He and his team developed an animation that worked as a tool to guide the children through their emotions. Rather than being a straightforward instructional video on controlling anger, the animation featured relatable characters navigating their own emotional challenges, teaching the children through example.
The children were better able to understand the roots of their anger and, from there, process and manage it. Afterwards, teachers reported noticeable improvements in behaviour and emotional regulation among those who watched the animation.
The Science Behind It
So, we’ve seen animation work as a therapeutic tool, but why is it so effective?
Traditional therapy methods typically engage the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for rational thinking, while animation stimulates the amygdala, the brain’s emotional centre. By going straight to the source, directly to the emotions, animation can bypass cognitive barriers that might otherwise interfere.
For those who find it difficult to express their feelings or have built up walls around traumatic areas of their lives, animation can be especially effective.
What The Future Holds
Animation is becoming increasingly accepted and utilised in the field of mental health and will only continue to grow. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with traditional therapy to treat depression, addiction, anxiety, and other trauma.
In addition to standard animation, the combination with virtual reality (VR) is also being developed. Using VR, animators can create even more immersive and personalised experiences, providing people with a safe and controlled space to process their emotions.
There are many exciting things ahead for animation in mental health, offering immense possibilities for healing and growth for so many.
It was a privilege to have Quint on the latest episode of Greatest Minds. To listen to the full episode, see here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hDTBfMySKkg7psYDrMe8s?si=cnD5xJ0KSyiajwhawjzThA
To listen to other Greatest Minds episode, see here: https://thepodcastguys.co.uk/greatest-minds/
