When I was getting my master’s degree in counseling, I learned the power of using movies to illustrate family dynamics, show different parts of a story, and allow me to see how counselors are viewed in pop culture. While movies can illustrate how pervasive mental health issues, they also show how we process them as a society. If you are a counselor or studying to be one, here are some counseling movies (and TV shows) to check out!
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Counseling Movies and TV Shows
Counselors in Pop Culture
As soon as I say I’m a counselor or therapist, these are the movies that everyone always asks me if I’ve seen. Some of them are better than others, but here are the “must-sees”!
- 50/50
–Anna Kendrick really shows the struggle of beginning counselors. Her first scene in the movie reminds me of the awkwardness of my first sessions. It also illustrates why ethics codes should be followed, and the slippery slope that leads to ethics violations. Now, the ending is a “what shouldn’t happen if you want to keep your LPC,” but the movie is also hysterical.
- What About Bob?
This movie will consider your profession and your relationships with clients.
- Analyze That
– a mob boss sees a shrink. Chaos ensues.
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This movie will consider your profession and your relationships with clients.
– a mob boss sees a shrink. Chaos ensues. Substance Abuse
- Rachel Getting Married
– With only a weekend at home from rehab, Anne Hathaway comes home for her sister’s wedding. Along with addiction, this movie illustrates how trauma can impact the whole family.
- My Name Is Bill W.
– If you didn’t know, Bill W. started AA. So, if you’re a substance abuse counselor, you should check out this movie about this support group.
- Begin Again
– Even though this movie isn’t really focused on recovery, it makes you think about how we judge alcoholics without knowing their story and what led to an addiction.
– With only a weekend at home from rehab, Anne Hathaway comes home for her sister’s wedding. Along with addiction, this movie illustrates how trauma can impact the whole family. 
– If you didn’t know, Bill W. started AA. So, if you’re a substance abuse counselor, you should check out this movie about this support group.
– Even though this movie isn’t really focused on recovery, it makes you think about how we judge alcoholics without knowing their story and what led to an addiction. Mental Health
- Silver Linings Playbook
– Follow Bradley Cooper as he struggles with Bipolar Disorder after being discharged from a mental hospital.
- A Beautiful Mind
– While the movie does take liberties with a real story, it does show what living with Schizophrenia can look like.
- Temple Grandin
– Temple Grandin’s real story of overcoming so many obstacles and stigmas associated with Autism.
- Perks of Being a Wallflower
– explores depression, anxiety, and trauma from an adolescent perspective.
– Follow Bradley Cooper as he struggles with Bipolar Disorder after being discharged from a mental hospital. 
– While the movie does take liberties with a real story, it does show what living with Schizophrenia can look like. 
– Temple Grandin’s real story of overcoming so many obstacles and stigmas associated with Autism. 
– explores depression, anxiety, and trauma from an adolescent perspective.Family Dynamics
- Parenthood
(tv show)-Parenthood probably has an episode for every struggle that a family has ever had- autism, divorce, abortion, coming out, religion, marriage, foster kids, and death. This show showcases 5 different family dynamics over 3 generations.
- This Is Us
(tv show)- This show is another one of my favorites and shows family dynamics over decades and different generations. Most importantly it illustrates how different family members perceive different events.
- What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
– This movie with a very young Johnny Depp and even younger Leonardo DiCaprio showcases family dynamics in a dysfunctional family system. Depp’s character, Gilbert, struggles trying to maintain homeostasis with his obese mother and brother with a developmental disability.
(tv show)-Parenthood probably has an episode for every struggle that a family has ever had- autism, divorce, abortion, coming out, religion, marriage, foster kids, and death. This show showcases 5 different family dynamics over 3 generations. 
(tv show)- This show is another one of my favorites and shows family dynamics over decades and different generations. Most importantly it illustrates how different family members perceive different events. 
– This movie with a very young Johnny Depp and even younger Leonardo DiCaprio showcases family dynamics in a dysfunctional family system. Depp’s character, Gilbert, struggles trying to maintain homeostasis with his obese mother and brother with a developmental disability. 
Any other counseling movies that you love? Share them in the comments and don’t forget to pin!
Goodwill hunting
That is another great suggestion! Thanks for sharing!
Ordinary People – a classic!
I haven’t seen that one! I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for the suggestion!
This movie inspired me to become a counselor. Sad Robin Williams is gone.
Robin Williams was an amazing actor, and his death was incredibly sad.
Spider. Very realistic portrayal of schizophrenia by Ralph Fiennes
I’ll have to check that movie out. Thanks for the suggestion.
Good Will Hunting as Rajani, “Girl, Interrupted” (with Angelina Jolie and Wynona Ryder), “Identity” with John Cusack, “Dont Say A Word” with Michael Douglas, and “Hide and Seek” with Robert DeNiro and Dakota Fanning. I too just finished my counseling credentials and felt inspired watching television and movies.
Great suggestions! I’ve seen Good Will Hunting and Girl, Interrupted, but I will have to check out the other films!
Inside Out
Love Inside Out! It’s a great movie to discuss emotions with children!
The Story of Us- Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis, a great story of how marriage can polarize us.
Mr. Jones, with a bipolar Richard Gere.
Haven’t seen that film, but I’m going to add it to my watch list! Thanks for sharing!
Prince of Tides, Girl Interrupted, and the absolute favorite…HBO’s The Sopranos
Haven’t seen Prince of Tides or the Sopranos, but totally agree with Girl, Interrupted. Thanks for sharing!
Loooooved Prince of Tides… kind of ethically questionable. But it brought out sexual violence toward boys/men and the affects of abuse on families.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll have to check that out!
Primal Fear. It’s an excellent look at what can happen when one practices outside of their scope of practice.
Sounds interesting! Will check it out. Thanks for sharing!
“Antwone Fisher” is a must-see: gut-wrenching look at the effects of childhood trauma on a young man entering the military and his healing journey thanks to the help of his psychologist Denzel Washington.
its amazing.
I haven’t seen that film, but I will check it out! Thanks for sharing!
Finally a movie with people of color! I was just thinking how white this list is. I know white people aren’t the only ones with mental health issues (I have a masters in counseling as well) but it is hard to find POC portrayed as anything other than stereotypes.
It is difficult to find movies that showcase mental health and diversity. I will work on updating this list with more diverse movie and tv options.
August: Osage County – really powerful movie about addiction, family and family secrets.
Hadn’t thought about that film! Will have to add it to this list. Thanks for sharing!
Nurse Betty
Haven’t seen that film, so thanks for another film to add to my watch list!
Best movie is rebound its a true story of a addict struggling with heroine addiction he could of been better then Michael Jordan. i suggest watching that my clients love it
Thanks for sharing! I haven’t seen that film yet, but I will check it out!
Thirteen, great depiction of family dynamics written by an actual teen.
Thanks for sharing! I haven’t seen that yet, but it sounds interesting with an unique perspective.
When a man loves a woman
28 Days
The Resurrection of Jake The Snake (on Netflix)
Collateral Beauty (deals with grief)
Homeland (tv series Showtime) – shows a perfect depiction of someone who has been diagnosed with Bipolar
Clean & Sober
I haven’t seen 28 Day in forever. Thanks for the reminder! I haven’t seen the other shows and films, but I’ll have to check them out! I’ve heard good things about Homeland.
Thanks for sharing – Mark Ruffalo, shows the struggles and shame of a sex addict
I love Begin Again with Mark Ruffalo, but I have seen Thanks for Sharing! I’ll have to check it out!
What about bob?
Inside out
28 days
when a man loves a woman
clean and sober
beautiful mind
primal fear
girl interrupted
the last word
So many great films! I’ve seen many of them and totally agree with you. I’ll have to update this list!
Don’t forget Wreck it Ralph, great for all ages!! Some disorders showcased include Anger and ADHD.
Wreck It Ralph should be on this list! I hadn’t seen it when I wrote this post, but I’ll have to update this post soon! Thanks for the suggestion!
How about “What Dreams May Come” with Robyn Williams. Looks at suicide.
I haven’t seen that film, but I’ll have to check it out!
I love Dead Poet’s Society with Robin Williams.
It’s been years since I’ve seen that movie. I’ll have to revisit it!
Which of these suggested films would be appropriate for middle school teens? Some of the suggestions I have seen but many I have not. Any feedback would be welcomed?
Antwone Fisher
Thanks for the suggestions! Haven’t seen that film, but I’ll have to check it out!
Lars and the Real Girl. With Ryan Gosling. It showcases how loss and trauma can affect relationships and our perspective of reality.
Haven’t seen that film in a while. I’ll have to check it out again! Thanks for stopping by!
13 reasons Why – Netflix
Less Thsn Zero
Thanks for your suggestions! I’ll have to update this post soon with additional resources!
Stuart saves his family is the best.
Thanks for the suggestion! Haven’t seen this film, but I’ll add it to my watch list!
Drop Dead Fred addresses childhood imaginary friends and the inner child. One of my all time fave movies. It’s silly and fun but interesting if you’re an innate psychologist.
I also like Charmed for recognizing narcissists and Friends for recognizing Myers Brigg Personality Traits. Future Art Therapist here. I start my bachelor in fall 🙂
Will have to check out Drop Dead Fred. Haven’t heard of that one! Thanks for sharing!
The Kings Speech
No one has mentioned It’s Kind Of a Funny Story! With Zach Galifanakis. Excellent movie. Also loved Silver Linings Playbook and Drop Dead Fred. And now A Star Is Born. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest – love Danny Devito and Jack Nicholson!
A Beautiful Boy. It is based on a true story about a young man dealing with meth addiction and the effects on his family. The book is Tweak by Nic Sheff.