Dramatherapy is a form of therapy that facilitates creativity, play, imagination, self esteem and growth. The dramatic element helps to connect to the body and mind through various techniques. These include; story-telling and making, role-play, puppetry, masks, sand-play, sensory-play, improvisation, mime, enactment, movement, voice, song, props and percussion. The therapeutic element is the process of being together in a ‘safe’ space in groups or individually with the therapist. In this space the psychological and developmental needs of the child are identified and explored through the dramatic techniques.
The therapeutic approach is non-directive and adjusted to the developmental level of the individual. For instance, for some children it is difficult to ‘play another’ in role-play, yet they are able to connect to objects such as small figures/dolls. The therapist will join the client in their journey of exploration rather than directing them.
Process: Parent and therapist have an initial meeting to discuss their ‘questions for therapy’. The therapists will also meet with the child in order to determine if Dramatherapy may help the child. It is sometimes difficult to establish this on the initial meeting; an assessment period of three sessions will take place. During this assessment period it is established if the therapy will continue, what are the aims and for how long will it last. The therapy can last between 12 weeks and several years
