Be a Cinematographer in Therapy: The practice of zooming out.
The Power of Zooming Out: Gaining Perspective in Counseling
Introduction: As a theater major who lived with five film majors, there is some vocabulary that I love to use in Counseling. In the journey of personal growth and self-discovery, it's easy to get caught up in the intricate details of our lives or a specific situation. We often obsess over the minutiae of a particular situation or challenge, losing sight of the bigger picture. In counseling, the ability to “zoom out,” to see beyond the immediate circumstances, and to gain perspective is a valuable skill that can empower individuals to overcome obstacles and find meaningful solutions. Let's delve into the art of zooming out and explore how it can enhance our understanding and pave the way for personal transformation.
Being the Cinematographer: The first helpful step is to move from the “actor” to the “cinematographer.” This allows you to emotionally and mentally detach a bit from the current situation you are focused on and become more of a neutral party focused on the “shot” rather than the actor caught up in the scene. In this, you gain perspective, notice the background information, and see the situation as part of a bigger movie with patterns and themes.
Recognizing the Zoomed-In Perspective: When we are "zoomed in," we tend to focus exclusively on the specific details of a situation. It's like viewing life in a “close-up," limiting our viewpoint, trapping us in looping emotions and missing other helpful background information. Recognizing this tendency opens the door to developing the skill of zooming out.
Embracing the Bigger Picture: Zooming out allows us to see a situation's broader context with multiple perspectives or lenses. It encourages us to consider the underlying patterns, connections and influences that shape our experiences. By embracing the bigger picture, we gain insights that help us navigate challenges more effectively without the emotional baggage we all carry.
Expanding Perspectives: One of the fundamental aspects of zooming out is exploring different viewpoints. By stepping into the shoes of a neutral party in the situation, we can gain empathy and understanding and see what this has to do with the overall “movie.” This broader perspective fosters compassion, reduces judgment, and opens the door for collaborative problem-solving.
Identifying Patterns and Themes: Zooming out helps us identify recurring patterns and themes. By recognizing these patterns, we can better understand ourselves, our reactions, and our behaviors. This insight enables us to make conscious choices and break free from unhealthy cycles.
Cultivating Objectivity: When we zoom out, we create space for objectivity. We can detach ourselves emotionally from a situation and gain a more neutral perspective. This objectivity allows us to evaluate circumstances rationally, consider various options, and make decisions based on a more comprehensive understanding.
Fostering Self-Reflection: Zooming out provides an opportunity for self-reflection and introspection. We can explore our values, beliefs, and aspirations by taking a step back, seeing what type of movie we want to make, and reflecting on whether this scene needs a script rewrite. This self-awareness and practice lays the foundation for personal growth and enables us to align our actions with our authentic selves.
Conclusion: The skill of zooming out is a powerful tool in counseling, enabling individuals to transcend the limitations of a narrow viewpoint. We can foster personal growth and develop healthier coping strategies by embracing the bigger picture, considering multiple perspectives, and identifying patterns. So, let us remember to take a step back, zoom out, and unlock the transformative potential that lies within the broader perspective of our lives.
