Cinematherapy

Denial

The Incomplete Stories That Hold Families Together

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on June 28, 2026

We often create narratives to help us make sense of experiences we're not yet equipped to understand.

We often create narratives to help us make sense of experiences we're not yet equipped to understand.

Alcoholism

Want to Challenge How Much You Drink?

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on May 22, 2026

Should therapists assess for alcohol use differently now that it has become increasingly clear that alcohol may be far more harmful than previously believed?

Should therapists assess for alcohol use differently now that it has become increasingly clear that alcohol may be far more harmful than previously believed?

Marriage

Marriage and Disconnection: Lessons From "Is This Thing On?"

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on April 16, 2026

While streaming "Is This Thing On?" I found myself wishing the couple were my therapy clients. I caught myself thinking, "I could help this couple!"

While streaming "Is This Thing On?" I found myself wishing the couple were my therapy clients. I caught myself thinking, "I could help this couple!"

Grief

In Hamnet, Grief Isolates and Art Connects

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on February 18, 2026

Hamnet traces how private sorrow moves through a family, reshaping marriage, identity, and meaning. It asks a question therapists know: What happens to love in the face of loss?

Hamnet traces how private sorrow moves through a family, reshaping marriage, identity, and meaning. It asks a question therapists know: What happens to love in the face of loss?

Relationships

Why "Heart the Lover" Resonates With So Many People

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on January 14, 2026

In her novel "Heart the Lover," Lily King perfectly captures the magic, passion, and vulnerability of young love—something uniquely tender, fragile, precarious, and precious.

In her novel "Heart the Lover," Lily King perfectly captures the magic, passion, and vulnerability of young love—something uniquely tender, fragile, precarious, and precious.

Family Dynamics

'Dear Edward': An Unlikely but Meaningful Flight Companion

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on December 8, 2025

"Dear Edward" is about loss, survival, and the way community helps us carry the unimaginable. Despite its central tragedy, the novel was a meaningful and memorable travel companion.

"Dear Edward" is about loss, survival, and the way community helps us carry the unimaginable. Despite its central tragedy, the novel was a meaningful and memorable travel companion.

Family Dynamics

Why You Should Watch "Pieces of April" This Thanksgiving

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on November 26, 2025

Films can spark insights and catalyze change. With Thanksgiving approaching, "Pieces of April" makes for a timely, emotionally rich holiday watch.

Films can spark insights and catalyze change. With Thanksgiving approaching, "Pieces of April" makes for a timely, emotionally rich holiday watch.

Therapy

Reclaiming Community and Connection for Mental Health

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on October 17, 2025

Connection matters. In a world dominated by screens, it’s easy to forget that we thrive in community, relationships, and authentic engagement.

Connection matters. In a world dominated by screens, it’s easy to forget that we thrive in community, relationships, and authentic engagement.

Relationships

What to Like About the Show "And Just Like That..."

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on August 16, 2025

This HBO show understands that relationships, even happy marriages, are never static. Like nature, people and relationships are always moving, growing, and evolving.

This HBO show understands that relationships, even happy marriages, are never static. Like nature, people and relationships are always moving, growing, and evolving.

Creativity

Lena Dunham's "Too Much" and the Art of Sublimation

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on July 31, 2025

Some women get called “too much” their whole lives—too emotional, too opinionated, too visible. With "Too Much," that label becomes a master class in turning pain into art.

Some women get called “too much” their whole lives—too emotional, too opinionated, too visible. With "Too Much," that label becomes a master class in turning pain into art.

Trauma

Trauma, Survival, and Popular Sister Stories

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on June 16, 2025

In families marked by danger or neglect, siblings are often the only witnesses to the full story. The bond becomes a lifeline, shaped by a private language of survival.

In families marked by danger or neglect, siblings are often the only witnesses to the full story. The bond becomes a lifeline, shaped by a private language of survival.

Relationships

Moving Beyond "Right" and "Wrong" in Relationships

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on June 11, 2025

Terry Real’s influence in the world of couples therapy is hard to overstate. Interviewing him about his best-selling book "US" was thrilling, meaningful, and memorable.

Terry Real’s influence in the world of couples therapy is hard to overstate. Interviewing him about his best-selling book "US" was thrilling, meaningful, and memorable.

Infidelity

Lessons on Infidelity from the Novel Tell Me Everything

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on May 21, 2025

The novel Tell Me Everything explores that fragile moment between realization and action, honesty and concealment, friendship and something more.

The novel Tell Me Everything explores that fragile moment between realization and action, honesty and concealment, friendship and something more.

Sex

How Refreshing to See Female Desire at the Forefront

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on May 13, 2025

It’s rare—and refreshing—to see a series that celebrates female sexual desire and fulfillment, especially in the shadow of mortality. Hulu’s "Dying for Sex" does just that.

It’s rare—and refreshing—to see a series that celebrates female sexual desire and fulfillment, especially in the shadow of mortality. Hulu’s "Dying for Sex" does just that.

Adolescence

Why Parents Should Stream "Adolescence"

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on April 22, 2025

"Adolescence" on Netflix captures the pressures of school, dating, sex, identity, and social media; it delves into the painful complexities of adolescent life today.

"Adolescence" on Netflix captures the pressures of school, dating, sex, identity, and social media; it delves into the painful complexities of adolescent life today.

Animal Behavior

What a Dog (and a Writer) Taught Me About Healing

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on April 16, 2025

Personal Perspective: As a therapist, I’ve seen the emotional support pets offer: grounding routines, emotional regulation, comfort during stress, and even repair in relationships.

Personal Perspective: As a therapist, I’ve seen the emotional support pets offer: grounding routines, emotional regulation, comfort during stress, and even repair in relationships.

Compulsive Behaviors

March Madness Masks a Hidden Epidemic

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on March 25, 2025

Nonstop media coverage, friendly office betting pools, and high-adrenaline competition make a perfect storm for problem gambling. More people than ever are struggling.

Nonstop media coverage, friendly office betting pools, and high-adrenaline competition make a perfect storm for problem gambling. More people than ever are struggling.

Anxiety

The State of Women's Mental Health

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on March 12, 2025

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate progress and reflect. But in an era of endless to-do lists and impossible expectations, how is our mental health holding up?

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate progress and reflect. But in an era of endless to-do lists and impossible expectations, how is our mental health holding up?

Relationships

Why Mikey Madison Deserves to Win

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on February 28, 2025

The modern dating landscape makes slow, intentional connection increasingly rare. Ani and Ivan’s memorable, marvelous, heartbreaking story serves as a cautionary tale.

The modern dating landscape makes slow, intentional connection increasingly rare. Ani and Ivan’s memorable, marvelous, heartbreaking story serves as a cautionary tale.

Decision-Making

"The Midnight Library": Pondering the Roads Not Taken

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on February 25, 2025

Revisiting past choices and wondering "what if?" lies at the heart of the novel "The Midnight Library."

Revisiting past choices and wondering "what if?" lies at the heart of the novel "The Midnight Library."