Drama Therapy

“Drama therapy is the intentional use of drama and/or theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals" (NADTA.org).

The goal of any expressive arts intervention is to engage in the process in a new way and cultivate new perspectives in your healing process. Drama therapy can help clients to develop personal strengths, build new skills, explore complex issues and parts of self, and consolidate personal gains. Drama therapy works well with, and can be integrated into, other therapy approaches.

The roots of drama therapy lie in psychodrama (among other influences), which has been around for over a hundred years. This approach is accessible to all and no acting experience is required.

Drama therapy is different for every situation, but in general it involves embodying different parts of self, aspects of a situation, or emotions. For example, we can build a physical safe space in the room and explore it, we can speak to your future self, or see what it’s like step into your boss' shoes. We use imagination and embodiment in order to process, express, explore, and heal what is limiting you.  

You do not have to have any creative background or training to enjoy and benefit from this approach.

Embodiment

“A body in action doesn't lie”. Drama therapy invites us to be embodied as we explore an issue, capitalizing on what we know about the mind-body connection and the wisdom our bodies and felt experience can provide. A core tenant is “show me, don’t tell me”, using action to promote a new level of exploration and engagement.

Externalization

Drama therapy allows us to bring an issue, a feeling, a part, or an experience outside of ourselves and into the room. Physically. We can see it and interact with it. Through doing so, we often see things in new ways, internalize insight more deeply, and perceive new options for change.

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