Why engaging in psychological research? Challenges and opportunities

Antonella Delle Fave, University of Milano

In any scientific domain, young researchers at the initial stages of their career struggle with conceptual and methodological questions and dilemmas. This issue is even more evident in psychology, a discipline at the crossroad between life sciences and humanities, aimed at the rigorous understanding of both universal mental processes, and culturally grounded individual experiences. These apparently contradictory aims challenge the formulation of research questions and the interpretation of study findings. This workshop will address some of the major issues characterizing psychological research, adopting a perspective that locates the person between the two poles of biology and culture. The workshop will be built as an interactive session, and participants will be invited to actively share their own concerns and experiences. The first part of the workshop will be devoted to the identification of the major issues of interest for the participants; during the second part, these issues will be elaborated in small groups, and then summarized in a closing plenary discussion.

The Therapeutic Use of Photographs:
Phototherapy and therapeutic photography in a digital age

Del Loewenthal, University of Roehampton

Professor Del Loewenthal introduces us to the concepts, essential tenets and basic techniques of Phototherapy, as in his groundbreaking 'Handbook of Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography' (2023, Routledge). Through discussions and case vignettes, he explains how we can effectively use these techniques as useful adjuncts to our primary modalities. He illustrates how the Therapeutic use of Photographs has been found to be helpful across age ranges – from young people who may be adept at using social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram to elderly clients who can usefully reminisce through photographs. He demonstrates how we can use these techniques with the help of photocards, ‘selfies’/portraiture, photobooks and action plans, as well as by taking photographs.

Learning objectives:
• Develop skills in using photography therapeutically to facilitate emotional learning
• Understand the history of, and be able to distinguish, phototherapy from therapeutic photography
• Examine the advantages and disadvantages of using photographs for emotional learning in a variety of contexts including voluntary organisations, private practice, schools, prisons and management / organisational development

Fairy Tale Wisdom: Using Ancient Tales as Therapeutic Tools 

William L. Randall, St. Thomas University of Toronto

In this highly interactive workshop, I will introduce participants to a book that I co-authored in 2022 entitled Fairy Tale Wisdom: Stories for the Second Half of Life (www.fairytalewisdom.com). After sharing the story of how the book was originally conceived and composed, I will invite people to think of little stories (fairy tales, fables, parables, etc.) that they, too, remember form their childhood. Together, we will play with the implications—and applications—of such stories as therapeutic tools in the process of “Life Review” that is said to be important to emotional well-being in later life.

How to Create and Realize a Best-Self Vision

Marilyn Fitzpatrick, Professor Emerita, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Canada

People who articulate and live in harmony with their caring values realize substantial physical and mental health benefits.  One of those benefits is a strong sense that their lives are meaningful and that they make a difference in the world.  This workshop will guide participants through a process designed develop a personal vision of how to become your best self by developing caring values.  We will review a range of evidence-based tools that can support both the development of a unique personal vision and the navigation of challenges in staying aligned with it. Participants will have the opportunity to sample a personal exercise to clarify their own best self vision.  Finally, we will link to a wealth of science-based sites and a range zero-cost resources that can support this work for ourselves and for our clients.