Dramatherapy

What is dramatherapy?

 

Dramatherapy is a form of psychotherapy. Dramatherapists are both clinicians and artists that draw on their knowledge of theatre and therapy to use as a medium for psychological therapy that may include drama, story-making, music, movement, and art; to work with any issue that has presented itself. 

 

Dramatherapy can help with issues such as

 

• Attachment

• Trauma

• Anxiety 

• Depression

• Self-harm and suicidal ideation

• Neurodivergency

• Eating and food-related problems

• School difficulties

• Confidence issues

• Family breakup

• Identity

 

Dramatherapists are highly trained therapists and Allied Health Professionals. They must be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). This national regulator holds a register of health and care professionals who meet their stands of proficiency and who are bound by their stands of conduct, performance and ethics. The title 'Dramatherapist' is a protected title by law and only those registered with the HCPC can use it. 

 

Dramatherapists complete a post-graduate clinical training at university via a Master's degree in Dramatherapy. They also have a high level of skill in drama and creativity. Many will have studied drama or theatre at university or drama school before undertaking their clinical MA Dramatherapy training. 

 

What does Dramatherapy look like in practice?

 

A dramatherapy session will generally include the therapist encouraging the client to check in about their celebrations and difficulties from the week. The therapist will offer the client a dramatic or creative intervention from which to explore this. The client may choose to explore with a direct life drama connection or to use more metaphorical exploration. 

 

Dramatherapy interventions include working with symbols and metaphor, movement, play, storytellings, mask work, puppet work, character development, dramatic enactment and improvisation. Clients who are referred to a Dramatherapist do not need to have had previous experience or skill in acting, theatre or drama.  

 

Clients learn to develop an awareness of self, creativity, confidence, stress relief, relational awareness, and an increased capacity for emotional growth and lasting change. 

 

 

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