An elevated and engaging therapeutic approach to healing
Our platform provides content that primes your sessions for organic, self-reflective, and impactful discussions that lead to lasting emotional growth & behavioral change with a three-step process.
Spark Reflection
View an immersive and captivating Of Substance short film with your client to create an atmosphere of focused attention and reception.
Unlock Vulnerability
Watch as your client opens up, lowers barriers, and accesses deeply guarded feelings, thoughts, and emotions to accelerate the healing process.
Guide Transformation
Get to the heart of the matter in a therapeutic environment to guide your client to meaningful and lasting personal transformation.
Evidence-backed content curation
Of Substance content is carefully selected and curated based on evidence based research and practices, including:
Narrative Medicine
Engages individuals in sharing and reflecting on their personal stories to process emotions, build self-awareness, and foster therapeutic connections, promoting healing and resilience.
Motivational Interviewing
Uses empathetic, non-judgmental dialogue to help individuals identify their own motivations for change, empowering them to overcome mental and emotional health barriers.
Neuroscience
Applies knowledge of brain function and plasticity to develop targeted interventions, such as mindfulness or therapy, that improve emotional regulation and cognitive health.
Social Psychology
Examines interpersonal dynamics and societal influences to design interventions, such as group therapy or social support systems, that improve mental health and emotional well-being.
For Patients & Clients
Begin your group or one-on-one session with an intentionally designed short film hitting on the topic you want to touch on.
Make it easier for for those who don’t open up to reveal that which is difficult by projecting their perspectives onto a film and story.
Learn more about your client quicker by allowing them to reveal who they are and what they think by talking “about the film and situation”
For Loved Ones & Family Members
Help loved ones also feel seen in their isolating struggles as care-takers
Expedite understanding and empathy toward their people struggling
Expedite bridge of understanding and sense of togetherness in the recovery journey
Real outcomes from empowered professionals and inspired clients
“Our job in therapy is to have convo after convo over session after session until we finally get our clients to reach a point of opening up and sharing vulnerably. Of Substance films allow us to do that instantaneously!”
Mary K. Doherty
CORA Family Services
40-year counselor & Director of Government & Strategic Partnerships
“Of Substance films accelerate participants into an atmosphere of focused attention through compelling stories in a therapeutic environment. Attention goes up, engagement goes up, interactivity rises. When we see this level of attention, engagement and relating through well facilitated discussions, we have the ideal environment for learning and transformation.”
Molly McGinn Ph.D.
Co-founder Treehouse Learning Community
“It's one thing to listen and attempt to understand what someone is going through, but through film, we are able to gain an immersive feel to enhance compassion, empathy, and love for those in our communities living with mental health struggles.”
Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani, MD
Integrative Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist
Founder & CEO, The MINDS Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Of Substance utilize film as a medium for mental health recovery?
Movies fabricate a real emotional experience and immerse viewers in a world that is close enough to theirs to be relatable, but removed enough to break down mental barriers. This is the state in which we learn best and create the intrinsic motivation to grow. We harness film’s power to support mental health recovery by providing a safe space for emotional vulnerability, discussion, and absorption. Additionally, we are exploring other mediums to offer diverse methods that achieve the same transformative effects.
Does Of Substance work with mental health professionals to create their content?
Yes! We have licensed mental health professionals on our board of directors who specialize in addiction and trauma, as well as many external partners in the mental health field who provide guidance and counsel concerning the content we produce..
Are Of Substance films designed by mental health professionals?
Though we work with mental health professionals, our films are inspired and designed by those with real-life experiences (i.e. people who have “been there”) with our content topics. We curate true and authentic stories that feel universally relatable, then craft them into narrative, fictional tales in creatively cinematic ways that captivate viewers and help them emotionally connect with the characters and situations.
Are the films available for free?
Yes. Currently Of Substance is in Beta, so we offer a limited selection of our films for free through our platform.
Who can benefit from Of Substance’s films and programs?
Of Substance content is designed to be an additive tool for therapists, educators, and organizations seeking to help others battling addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma. We often hear that our films are helpful for other loved ones involved in a particular individual’s recovery as well..
Can Of Substance provide workshops or keynotes for organizations?
Yes – our founding members frequently speak at conferences, workshops, and other engagements. Reach out to us at [email protected] for more information.
Are there opportunities for filmmakers to collaborate with Of Substance?
We are always acquiring and curating our content library. If you have a film that you think would be a good fit for Of Substance, please send us a private YouTube or Vimeo link to [email protected].
What topics do the films cover?
Of Substance films explore a range of topics, including addiction, mental health, trauma, relationships, and personal growth.
What impact have Of Substance’s films had on audiences?
Our films have been used by over 1,000 mental health professionals across more than 10 countries, helping individuals feel seen, heard, and loved.
How does Of Substance ensure the quality of its films?
Of Substance has a strict submission and review process for content curation, and it also collaborates with experienced filmmakers and professionals to produce high-quality, engaging, and impactful short films.
Premium mini-movies designed to deepen engagement and expedite outcomes in treatment and therapy.
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