Listed by Duotrope
a peer-reviewed quarterly journal on literature
E-ISSN 2457-0265
Acerca de
Erothanatos
Scholarly Article
Dr. Barbara Gabriella Renzi
Using Pop Culture and Film to Teach Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages:
31-52
Keywords:
pop culture, cognitive behavioural therapy, pedagogical tool, cognitive distortions, behavioral change
doi:
Abstract
This paper explores the innovative use of pop culture—particularly film and television—as a pedagogical tool for teaching Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). By analyzing familiar narratives through a CBT lens, learners can observe key concepts such as cognitive distortions, automatic thoughts, and behavioral patterns in action. Films like Inside Out, Good Will Hunting, and Groundhog Day vividly depict core CBT principles, enabling students to engage with psychological content in an emotionally resonant and accessible manner. This media-based approach supports experiential learning, enhances empathy, and facilitates the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts. Moreover, it promotes cultural sensitivity and clinical reasoning through reflective and interactive activities such as scene analysis, role-play, and cognitive restructuring exercises. The integration of narrative media into CBT education represents a valuable, inclusive strategy that bridges the gap between abstract theory and therapeutic practice, enriching both academic instruction and clinical training.
About the Author(s)
Dr. Barbara Gabriella Renzi is a psychologist and academic with extensive experience across multiple countries, including Italy, Northern Ireland, and Germany. Currently residing in Germany, Dr. Renzi has worked with immigrant communities and in suicide prevention, demonstrating a strong commitment to mental health and social well-being. She holds dual PhDs: one in Philosophy and Cognitive Sciences from Queen’s University Belfast, specializing in cognitive metaphors, and another in Culture, Education, and Communication from Roma Tre University, focusing on mediation in conflict zones and psychological interventions.
Dr. Renzi is a registered member of the Italian Order of Psychologists and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Her notable publications include her highly cited paper “Linguistic analysis of IPCC summaries for policymakers and associated coverage” in Nature Climate Change, and her book Evolutionary Analogies: Is the Process of Scientific Change Analogous to the Organic Change?, co-authored with Giulio Napolitano. Additionally, she has authored books such as Irlanda del Nord: Conflitto e Educazione and I Volti e le Voci del Conflitto: Sorry for yer Troubles.
