ABSTRACT
The paper explores the art and science of documentary media production and experience as a therapeutic option for psychological trauma. The democratization of digital storytelling platforms and devices expands the heuristic documentary process with the potentials of an effective therapeutic option for grief and post-traumatic stress.
Creativity, narrativity, and intentionality that are imbibed in art therapy practice are similar core elements of documentary therapy. This paper connects the documentary practice to narrative competence as applied in the fields of Narrative Science and Palliative Care. And it investigates trauma-informed media production and curation as therapeutic tools through an individual or collaborative documentary practice. In addition, it examines the process of fostering healing narratives through effective and creative realist approaches to media arts and practice as it analyzes how documentary may continue to bridge the gap and strengthen the connection between medical professionals and their patients. Hence, this pioneering process may potentially result in holistic and compassionate healthcare for vulnerable populations.
Lastly, the purpose of this research is to also articulate the philosophical framework of the documentary process and experience. It aligns with the proposal to conduct healing-centered engagements through screenings and synergistic community-based discussions after the screenings, as responses to recent studies on the neurobiology of trauma and oxytocin. Further development, manualization, and evaluation in the practice and research of documentary therapy may be beneficial in gauging the effectiveness of this therapeutic media production and curation process. Be it in clinical or non-clinical settings, the study looks into the possibilities of documentary therapy as an option in the future of healthcare.