Video technology - An instrument of environmental therapy?

Video technology has been in use in the psychiatric field for more than 20 years for diagnostic, scientific, co-therapeutic or educational purposes. H owever, little is known of its potential applications and impact as an inst rument in psychotherapy or environmental therapy. For this reason a new cin ematographic project applying widespread video technology in environmental therapy, too, has been launched. All patients at our psychiatric hospital a re involved in film selection, can cooperate at different organizational le vels, and have regular opportunities to see films. The technical, the organ izational and, in particular, the legal preconditions are set out, followed by a report on experience gained in use of video films within the setting of a psychiatric hospital. Reference is also made to economic aspects, ther apeutic effects and contraindications.