Exploring the Role of Therapeutic Filmmaking as an Expressive Arts Intervention in the Rehabilitation of Adolescents with Anxiety or Depression: A Narrative Review

Art therapy provides valuable expressive modalities within rehabilitation settings, contributing to improved individual well-being. Media arts therapy, one of the newest developments in occupational therapy, incorporates creative arts approaches through digital and cinematic forms. While cinematherapy has been widely acknowledged as a therapeutic approach, filmmaking therapy—a more active, participatory expressive arts intervention—remains underexplored, particularly in relation to adolescents. As a vulnerable yet highly receptive group, adolescents may benefit greatly from structured filmmaking interventions within guided therapeutic environments. This review addresses a notable gap in the literature by examining current research on filmmaking therapy for adolescents. A systematic search was conducted using the keywords “filmmaking therapy” and “adolescents” across Web of Science, PubMed, and PubMed Central. Drawing on the authors’ interdisciplinary backgrounds in film directing, medical rehabilitation, psychology, and occupational therapy, this review offers a critical and integrated analysis of existing knowledge. It identifies key gaps in the field and proposes directions for future research to support the development of filmmaking as a creative therapeutic tool for adolescent populations.