Therapeutic Photography: An Introduction
15 May 2027
10:00am-5:00pm
Ewert House Ewert Place, Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DD
Event status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
15 May 2027
Study Format:
In-person day/weekend
Fees:
£140.00
Unlock the transformative power of imagery and harness the therapeutic potentials of photography, enhancing your professional toolkit and personal growth journey. This unique day event is designed for those eager to explore how photography can be used as a powerful tool for emotional healing and personal expression. Ideal continuing professional development (CPD) for professionals in mental health, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of art and therapy. You will embark on a journey through four distinct modules that cover both the theory and practice of Therapeutic Photography.
We begin with an Introduction to Therapeutic Photography, where you will learn about the origins, key theories, and the distinction between related practices like phototherapy.
The second session focuses on The Mechanics of Therapeutic Photography, teaching you the essential skills of camera operation, photographic techniques, and how to create environments conducive to emotional expression. This practical module ensures that you can handle equipment and techniques with confidence, applying them in ways that foster deep personal and subject reflection.
The third session, Therapeutic Photography in Practice, delves into real-world applications, showcasing how this method has been successfully implemented in various settings. Through case studies and interactive discussions, you will understand the dynamics of photo-elicitation, self-portraiture, and the critical ethical considerations that ensure respect and confidentiality.
The final session, Integration and Professional Practice, guides you on how to integrate these practices into professional settings. Whether you're a therapist, counsellor, or educator, you will learn how to design and implement a therapeutic photography programme that aligns with your professional environment.
Please note:
- Please bring a digital camera with you. This can be of any kind, including a smartphone, and ideally you will have the means of sharing one or two images taken on the day with the tutor.
- This event will close to enrolments at 23:59 on 12 May 2027.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Accommodation
If you wish to stay with us before and/or after the event, please contact our Residential Centre for availability and discounted rates.
Call +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk
Our accommodationour accommodation at Rewley House in Wellington Square has been rated as 4-Star Campus Accommodation under Visit England. All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished with tea/coffee making facilities, Freeview television, private bath/shower rooms and free WiFi. For more details see our accommodation information.
Recommended reading
Gibson, N., Therapeutic Photography: Enhancing Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy and Resilience (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018).
Loewenthal, D. (Ed.), Phototherapy and Therapeutic Photography in a Digital Age (Routledge, 2013)
Weiser, J., Phototherapy Techniques: Exploring the Secrets of Personal Snapshots and Family Albums (Jossey-Bass, 1993).
Wilson, G.B., The Essentials of Therapeutic Photography (Utopia.Photo via Kindle Direct Publishing, 2024).
Programme details
9.45am
Registration at Ewert House reception
10am
Introduction to Therapeutic Photography
11.15am
Tea and coffee break
11.45am
The Mechanics of Therapeutic Photography
1pm
Lunch break
2pm
Therapeutic Photography in Practice
3.15pm
Tea and coffee break
3.45pm
Integration and Professional Practice
5pm
End of day
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Event fee (includes tea/coffee) | £140.00 |
| Baguette lunch | £7.90 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Payment
Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.
Dr Graham Wilson – Tutor
A PhD in animal behaviour, and initial career in organisation development followed by psychotherapy training, led Graham to practise as an executive confidant for 20+ years. He has taught counselling, psychology and photography at Oxford and elsewhere for a decade. Recently retired as Coordinator of HE Counselling Courses at Guildford College, his research interests include the use of imagery to provoke positive behavioural change within communities. Graham currently leads programmes of therapeutic photography within Oxfordshire. He has written more than ten textbooks.
Please use the ‘Book’ button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.
