“Under the guise of play and pretend, we can – for once – act in new ways.
The bit of distance from real life afforded by drama enables us to gain perspective
on our real-life roles and patterns and actions, and to experiment actively with alternatives.”
– Renee Emunah, PhD, RDT/BCT
I believe everyone is creative and creativity can be healing. It is a way of working with the arts through different mediums so that personal learning and meaning-making can occur.
The process engages multiple senses and activates many areas of the brain, making the therapy experience one that uses both body and mind.
How would I benefit from working creatively?
Utilizing creative techniques to help access and express your emotions. Utilizing theater and various arts mediums and techniques to explore your personal story by offering various perspectives and possible insights, bringing clarity and understanding to your present situation.
Do I have to know how to paint, sing,
or act?
No.
Most of the acting we do involves embodying ideas, thoughts, and feelings, and exploring the roles we play in our everyday lives.
Is drama therapy only for children?
No.
Drama therapy is a good modality to use with children because dramatic play is a natural way for children to learn new skills and work through difficult experiences. However, the benefits of play and creativity extend to all ages.
Is drama Is that therapy for actors or artists? therapy only for children?
No.
It is for anyone who is interested in using creative and experiential techniques in therapy.
Shy people are welcome.
What kinds of things will you ask me to do?
Some examples of a session:
- Write a letter (to yourself, to someone you know, to a part of yourself, a character)
- Draw,
- Paint,
- Collage
- Create a Mask
- Create a Story
- Explore a Myth/Fairytale/Poem
- Free Writing
- Personify an emotion (for example, if your fear could talk, what would it say to you?)
- Speak from the point of view of important people in your life (for example, what would your mother say about you?
- How would your spouse describe this problem?)
- Practice an upcoming conversation. Identify the roles you play in your life (Sister, Student, Daughter)
- Speak the internal “voices in your head” (for example, what does your internal critic say to you when you try to do something new – does it say “You can’t do this, you’re stupid for even trying….”)
- Cultivate the internal ” Self-compassionate voices”
“Expressive arts therapy—the purposeful application of art, music,
dance / movement, dramatic enactment, creative writing,
and imaginative play—is largely a nonverbal way of self-expression
of feelings and perceptions. More importantly, they are action-oriented
and tap implicit, embodied experiences of trauma that can defy expression
through verbal therapy or logic.”-Dr. Malchiodi’s book, Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy
Holistic Drama LLC 