WHAT IS DRAMATHERAPY?
the use of drama and other artforms for intentionally healing purposes
The dramatherapist creates a safe space for the client to explore issues and feelings using drama, role-play, movement and sound, story, myth, art, mask-making, puppetry and small objects.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Dramatherapy is for anyone and everyone, whatever their age, experience or culture, and whatever their physical or learning needs. Dramatherapy does not rely on the spoken word so it works particularly well with those that find it difficult to talk about their feelings as well as those that may tend to over-rationalise.
WHAT DOES A DRAMATHERAPIST DO?
We work across a wide range of settings, both statutory and non-statutory: NHS, schools, hospices, prisons, young offenders institutions and for voluntary agencies. We are governed by the British Association of Dramatherapy (www.badth.org.uk) codes of practice and the regulations laid down by The Health Professions Council (www.hpc-uk.org)
HOW DOES IT WORK?
By addressing issues obliquely, through metaphor, clients are offered a safe way of expressing themselves.
Dramatherapy with children has many similarities with play therapy - the child expresses their unconscious through play which may incorporate elements of drama if the child is developmentally ready.
Creative Expressive Model
| The therapist works with the healthy aspects of people using their creative energy and developing their ego-strength. The emphasis is on playfulness, imagination, creativity, spontaneity, humour and teamwork. Suitable for all client groups.
| Tasks, Issues and Skills based Model
| This model has many similarities with Applied Drama. The therapist supports participants to rehearse and practice life-skills through exercises, games, improvisation and role-work, as well as reflection. Suitable for issues arising from low self-esteem, and behaviours resulting from poor management of feelings.
| Psychotherapeutic Model
| This model uses the therapeutic alliance to work with transference, introjection and projection. The therapist ensures a safe and contained therapeutic environment for the client(s) to focus on intrapsychic change leading to modification of external behaviours.
| Integrated Model
| This model is an integration of the other three models. The focus is on the healing properties of drama. There may be a re-working of experience that has not been dealt with, through symbol and metaphor. A humanistic model in which the therapist and client (or group) work together to explore issues that arise in the therapeutic space.
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