Employee profile: NEIL GIBSON

Changing the dynamic of social work RGView spoke to Dr Neil Gibson, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for Social Work, who recently became the first person in Scotland to be awarded the Hugh Diamond Welch Award for his contribution to Phototherapy.

What is phototherapy?

It’s about using photographs in therapeutic settings to help people explore mental health issues. It has significant therapeutic advantages and can really change the dynamic of social work. As part of my PhD, I worked with marginalised groups across the city using these techniques, and I’ve seen how they can help people to explore really complex issues and begin to make sense of the problems they are facing.

Why is it so effective?

The photographs invite conversation and create genuine interest in sharing stories. The body language between the person sharing the person viewing the image is often warm, open and safe, with the eye contact being on the photograph and not on the interviewer. It places the person showing the photograph in control – they choose what to show, what to say, and ultimately who they show the photograph to.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Working with the students and teaching complex theories in a way that makes them more accessible. I would never claim to be an expert on any theory, but I do think there are ways in which we can make information more accessible and interesting, and this is the challenge I enjoy most in my job. I work with a great team, and we all have the welfare of our students at heart, so it makes coming to work a pleasure.

What else are you working on?

I’m still involved with therapeutic photography in a number of areas. I was Kenya using photography to explore issues with residents of an informal settlement in Nairobi, I am working with therapists from Italy to look at how we can progress research in this area, and I am always interested in UK based projects where this technique can be effective. I also deliver an online CPD course in therapeutic photography, as well as all my course leader responsibilities!

You can read more about Neil’s research into Phototherapy on our open access research platform OpenAIR@RGU in his article Therapeutic photography: enhancing patient communication.