Dramatherapy is a form of psychotherapy – an expansive term which covers all therapies that use psychological methods to treat emotional and mental health conditions. This ranges from one to one talking therapy, to group therapy, to Dance and Movement therapy.
Dramatherapy is a creative psychotherapy as it can utilise all of the above – as well as elements of art work, play, stories, myths, puppetry, masks and improvisation within a safe, therapeutic space.
Dramatherapists work in a variety of settings – the NHS, residential homes, schools, prisons and social services. Their work is with adults, young people and children who might experience mental health challenges, physical/psychiatric/neurological conditions, learning difficulties, dementia, autism and more.
The title “Dramatherapist” is a protected term by law – this means that to be a Dramatherapist the practitioner must qualify for an approved Master’s degree, and be registered with the HCPC – the statutory UK regulator for health, social work and psychological professions. They must abide by strict ethical and legal guidelines.
Traditional ‘talking therapies’ can be difficult for some people – young children often don’t have the words to explain how they feel, for example. Having worked extensively with young people and adults who have frequently experienced trauma in their lives, it is now known that trauma can lead to the part of the brain responsible for verbal and cognitive skills to sometimes shut down. One to one talking therapy with clients who have experienced trauma is often ineffective, and in some cases can actually re-traumatise the person.
Dramatherapy works with the whole person, body, mind and soul, and every dramatherapy session will be different to the next, as it is led by the client, not the therapist.
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