When I was interning for a drama therapy session for troubled high school girls, I experienced first-hand the positive benefits it brought forth .
Of course, the first sessions started out a bit awkward- everyone was getting to know each other, & feel comfortable in the group…
Yet as time went on, I saw their confidence blossom!
The quiet ones soon become boisterous in a drama therapy activity, they weren’t nervous to open up, or support one another.
In the span of just 3 short months together, they alluded an energy of an improved self growth, vulnerability, & emotional regulation.
I mean, we were all crying by the end of it. It was such a beautiful experience that inspired me to dive deeper into what exactly is drama therapy ( & why is it so freaking amazing!!)
I hope this exploration of drama therapy gives you the building blocks to healing your inner child through an alternative therapy practice.
What does drama therapist do?
Drama therapist use various theatre techniques such as role-playing, storytelling, puppetry, masks,guided visualizations, & games to facilitate well-being, personal growth.
In general, there are 9 core processes:
- drama projection ( working out problems into a role or scene)
- personification & impersonation ( express & explore emotions through role play)
- interactive audience ( the participant, group acts as an audience / onlooker into a therapeutic drama activity
- playing ( spontaneous problem-solving, in which a play space is staked out, objects are actively repurposed into new roles, & allowances are made for changes)
- empathy & distance ( engage or disengage with any material that resonates)
- life drama connection ( analyze personal problems or issues through dramatic projection)
- transformation ( An inherent aspect of much of what happens in theater and in play, built right into the structure of telling a story)
- embodiment ( physical expression of personal material)
- therapeutic performance processes ( therapeutic use of theatrical performance to work through personal traumas & themes)
What is an example of drama therapy?
A popular drama therapy activity is the use of role- play. This allows the participants to explore difficult emotions through the lens of a character, helping them to relate their story to their own.
What happens in a typical drama therapy session?
A typical drama therapy session lasts between 1-2 hours, & can be doing in a group or on an individual basis.
Generally, a typical session layout has these 4 factors:
- The check-in
Participants check in with the drama therapy therapist ( typically done by choosing cards that resonate with them) & share what’s on their mind, & why they chose that particular card. share how they are feeling today. - The warm-up
The warm-up game is meant helps get creative juices flowing, & provide a unique ice-breaker. - The main activity
The main component of the session that focuses on a particular drama therapy activity to process trauma, & work through difficult emotions. - Closing
This is a chance for clients to talk about how they felt about the session activity, & anything else on their mind.
The Takeaway
Drama therapy uses the performance arts to dig deeper into difficult emotions, without the pressure of having to “talk it out”. Through the use of theatre techniques such as role-playing, acting out scenes, clients can use the lens of a character to understand themselves on more authentic & deeper level.
Let me know below! What are your thoughts on drama therapy?