Drama Therapy
Drama therapy is used to treat a variety of psychological issues. This approach gives you an opportunity to share your experiences, set goals, resolve issues, voice your feelings and/or purge negative energy from your life. Drama therapy allows you to explore your inner feelings, improve your communication skills and strengthen your interpersonal relationships.
How Did Drama Therapy Begin?
Drama therapy was first recognized by psychologists, teachers and thespians who felt that many traditional “talk only” therapies prevented individuals from successfully confronting and working through their issues. Drama therapy encourages a balanced treatment approach that consists of strengthening oral and unspoken communication skills.
How Are Drama Therapists Trained?
Registered drama specialists must hold a master’s degree in theater arts, psychotherapy or a mental health field. In addition he/she must have had at least 525 hours of drama/theater experience, 350 hours of onsite drama therapy internship experience, 35 hours of supervision by a registered drama specialist, registered creative arts therapist or a certified master’s-level mental health professional and 1025 hours of drama therapy experience in a professional capacity.
Drama/theater training may include: singing, dancing, playing, drawing, problem-solving, role-playing and/or acting. Psychotherapy/mental health training may include: courses in personality theories, group processes and/or supervised multi-demographic clinical internships.
The National Association for Drama Therapy encourages individuals to study drama therapy at accredited colleges, universities and training programs. Drama therapy courses are approved by the National Association for Dramas Therapy’s Education Committee and Board of Examiners.
Where Can I Find a Drama Therapist?
Drama therapists practice in a multitude of locations such as: mental health clinics, grade schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, clinical settings, treatment centers, adult daycares, jails and prisons, afterschool programs, homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, group homes and nursing homes.
What Types of People Participate in Drama Therapy?
Drama therapists typically treat a variety of individuals such as: couples, children, adults, families, recovering addicts, developmentally disabled children and adults, convicts and felons, homeless people, people who have been abused, elderly, high-risk children and teens and people with learning disabilities.
How Does Drama Therapy Approach Psychological Issues?
Your individual needs and concerns determine your goals in therapy. Drama therapy offers a variety of benefits such as: positive social interactions, effective coping skills, improved communications skills and healthy interpersonal relationships.
Your therapist may be your primary therapist or he/she may be an assistant therapist within a treatment team. The role of your therapist is based on your individual needs and your comfort level.
In addition, your drama therapist may utilize a variety of psychological techniques to help you work through your issues. These techniques may include: assessments, role plays and/or play therapy. The main goal of therapy is to teach you the skills that you need to recognize, acknowledge and resolve your issues.
Do Drama Therapists Follow Ethical, Moral and/or Legal Standards?
The National Association for Drama Therapy was originally established to develop competency and ethical standards for drama therapists. The main purpose of the association was to establish training requirements, fund drama-related therapy practices and support the drama therapy profession through information, education and sponsorship.
Drama therapists must follow the ethical, moral and legal guidelines as defined by the organization. These guidelines include: responsibility, expertise and discretion.
Where Can I Find Additional Information on Drama Therapy?
You find a variety of articles, journals and e-books online, at your local library and/or at bookstores.
Books
Anderson-Warren, M. & Grainger, R. (2000). Practical approaches to drama therapy: The shield of Perseus. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Bailey, S. (2010). Barrier-free theatre: Including everyone in theatre arts – In schools, recreation, and arts programs – Regardless of (dis)ability. Eumenclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor.
Casson, J. (2004). Drama, psychotherapy, and psychosis: Dramatherapy and psychodrama with people who hear voices. London: Brunner-Routledge.
Chasen, L. (2011). Social skills, emotional growth and drama therapy: Inspiring connection on the autism spectrum. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Videos
The Alice Project: Creative Arts Therapy in Action. (2003). A film by Phil Herbison. Available from Films for the Humanities and Sciences at www.films.com.id/13314/The_Alice_Project_Human_Development_in_Action.
Creative Healing in Mental Health: Art & Drama in Assessment & Therapy. (2010). A film by Judith A. Rubin, ATR and Eleanor C. Irwin, RDT. 50 minutes. Available from Expressive Media, Inc. www.expressivemedia.org.
Expressive Arts Therapy Groups. A film by Judith Rubin, ATR and Eleanor Irwin, RDT. 43 ½ minutes. Available from Expressive Media, Inc. www.expressivemedia.org.
References:
Cattanach, A. (2007). Narrative approaches in play therapy with children. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Grainger, R. (2006). Healing theatre: How plays change lives. Victoria, BC: Trafford Publishing.
