Empowerment in radio therapy: new radio experience therapy

Abstract

The article describes the main features of Radio Nueva Terapia (RNT), a communication project developed in Colina (Chile), which consists on the implementation of radio shows conducted by people diagnosed with severe mental problems. The main purpose of this project is to empower the users of this program under the optics of different theoretical perspectives such as the humanistic psychology and the community psychology. To set this perspective about the empowerment, the article emphasizes, on one hand, the internalized stigma which is inherent to the labeling related with mental health issues, which generates negative perceptions of identity; and, on the other hand, on the benefits that "quality" human relationships have over people. To this extent, this article also highlights the importance of the radio, as a communication tool, in a therapeutic context such as RNT, where the radio is empowered by the impact it has over the immediate context of the participants and their families.