PHOTOGRAPHY AS A THERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENT IN THE PROCESS OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

This study analyzed photography as a therapeutic tool in the process of self-knowledge, highlighting its relevance in the fields of psychology and art therapy. The qualitative research was based on a systematic literature review, addressing academic productions that connect photography with care practices and the promotion of mental health. The findings revealed that photography, beyond its documentary character, takes on an expressive and symbolic role, allowing individuals to reframe memories, externalize emotions, and build visual narratives that foster self-understanding. Results demonstrated that the therapeutic use of photography stimulates creativity, strengthens self-esteem, enhances non-verbal communication, and promotes reflections on identity and subjectivity. It was also observed that the practice can be applied in both individual and collective contexts, with positive impacts on the elaboration of internal conflicts and the strengthening of social bonds. The integration of art, science, and subjectivity proved essential for the effectiveness of interventions, emphasizing the need for further theoretical and methodological studies on the subject. It is concluded that photography constitutes an innovative therapeutic resource, capable of contributing to human development and to the promotion of mental health through processes of self-knowledge and subjective transformation.