*** Film must be viewed prior to event. ***

Discussion of the film “Me Before You”

Friday, January 30, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Via Zoom

2016 (120 min)
Director: Thea Sharrock
Discussant: Katherine Marshall Woods, Psy.D.

A girl in a small town forms an unlikely bond with a recently-paralyzed man she’s taking care of.

Presentation: It has been a long-standing question regarding whether an individual has the right to take their own life. This question has invited both legal and moral considerations into the conversation. Physician Assisted Suicides have become legal in America in thirteen states and the District of Columbia for certain individuals/patients. Me Before You explores the affective response and behavioral manifestations that occur with the loved ones of those who have accepted a PAS. Examining the range of grief experienced, coupled with the diligent use of defense mechanisms to emotionally cope with the person’s chosen manner to end their life is illustrated in this film event.

In this talk, we will discuss the dynamics present within the film Me Before You in thecontext of age and SES. We will also have the opportunity to screen Pat Basstini’s short, Dignity (2020), and explore similar and differing dynamics given the season in life the characters find themselves. Participants will have an opportunity to speak with the filmmaker at the event.

Discussant: Katherine Marshall Woods, PsyD, is a media psychologist and licensed clinical psychologist in Washington, DC. Dr. Marshall Woods spearheads PsychMinded Media, which allows her to assist individuals in the film and media industry to conceptualize projects with a psychological perspective. She has worked with actors, screenwriters, producers, and directors, and collaborates with film festivals in the US and abroad. Dr. Marshall Woods co-leads the Psychoanalytic Takes on Cinema with the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis and is the developer of Cinematic Imprints with American Psychological Association’s Division 39, Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology. She is also the Director of Graduate Studies with The George Washington University Professional Psychology Program.

Dr. Marshall Woods has contributed blogs for The Huffington Post, the former American Psychological Association’s PsycCRITIQUES, has a column with Psychology Today and blogs with Thrive Global and Medium regarding psychology, film and media works. She has authored the book, Best Psychology in Film, which has become a 2024 Telly Award-winning television show and podcast that she produces and hosts with UDCtv. Her recent publication, Black Film Through a Psychodynamic Lens, has been featured on numerous podcasts and speaking engagements around the US. Additionally, Dr. Marshall Woods has lent her expertise to media outlets, such as News Channel 8, NPR, The Huffington Post, The Daily Drum and remains the host and producer of A Healthy Mind television show in Washington, DC.

Pre-registration is required via the WBCP website at http://wbcp.org. If you do not have an account on the WBCP website, you will need to create a “guest account” to register and view/print your CME/CE credit certificate after the seminar. For registration assistance, contact the WBCP at 301-470-3635/ 410-792-8060 / 202-237-1854 or [email protected]

Registration Link: https://wbcp.memberclicks.net/reg_psy_cinema_25-26

Full program Flyer: https://wbcp.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/PR/25-26/1-30-26%20Psychoanalytic%20Takes%20on%20the%20Cinema%20-%20Me%20Before%20You.pdf

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 28, 2025, at 4:30 pm