I am a psychotherapist, author, educator turned filmmaker. In addition to my clinical work over the past 35 years, I have trained thousands of psychotherapists, clinical social workers, addiction and professional counselors, and allied health practitioners in a respectful, non-pathologizing approach to helping people.
My mission as a filmmaker is to produce documentaries that combine my skills and abilities in Narrative Therapy and Community Work with my passion for film as a multidimensional art form of storytelling. My intention is to create films that link people together through their narratives of lived experience within a broader social context and transport the viewer to new awareness and understanding of their own lives. Here are my current projects:
Within the Lodge of Sacred Relations
This feature length documentary brings light to Ryan’s extraordinary journey of reclaiming his indigenous heritage and creating sacred spaces for indigenous and non-indigenous peoples to discover healing, belonging, and the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation. The film also brings awareness to the ravages of colonization on Turtle Island, North America, and its intergenerational effects on indigenous peoples and their communities.
The context is a gathering of Narrative therapists and community workers who invite Ryan to lead them in indigenous ceremonies and healing circles. This sets the stage for stories to do their magic and transport everyone to new awareness and awakenings.
In a world that is torn by division and strife, this film offers new possibilities for people of diverse cultures and faith traditions to come together in the spirit of curiosity and openness, create a community of sacred relations, and take a stand against injustice.
A Different Kind of Trash Talk
This award winning short documentary links the problems of roadside trash to ocean pollution and climate change as it follows Joe’s litter collection initiative and his big ideas for world improvement called TAP (Toward Alternative Possibility). The filmmaker’s narrative and Joe’s story link up with the stories of others dedicated to cleaning up the environment and lessening the impact of climate change on our communities. These stories are woven together to create a rich, multi-layered narrative of hope and possibility for the planet.
The film also brings awareness to big ideas for world improvement and how linking people with the shared values of curiosity and compassion, instead of judgment, can help us become more fulfilled as global citizens.
A Different Kind of Trash Talk has won 32 awards and honors at FilmFreeway events including Best Documentary Short, Best Inspirational Film, Best Environmental Film, Best Producer, and Best Debut Filmmaker. See all the awards at patriciaburke.com/films