| Dramatherapy (often written drama therapy in the | | | | hospitals, day centres and care homes. |
| United States) is one of the Creative Arts Therapies, | | | | Dramatherapists work with clients who have |
| the others being art, music, and dance/movement. In | | | | disabilities or illnesses such as, learning disabilities, |
| the UK it is regulated by the Health Professions | | | | Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Dementia; and Mental |
| Council, which also regulates 15 other occupations | | | | Health conditions such as, Depression, Bi-polar, |
| including Occupational Therapists and Speech and | | | | Psychosis, Personality Disorder and Schizophrenia. The |
| Language Therapists. Like other HPC professions, | | | | NICE guidelines recommend the Creative Arts |
| Dramatherapists follow a strict code of ethics and | | | | Therapies as the only therapies that have medium to |
| conduct and are required to complete continued | | | | long term effects on the negative symptoms of |
| professional development throughout their careers. | | | | Schizophrenia. Dramatherapy can address many |
| Dramatherapists are educated to postgraduate | | | | problems in peoples lives such as Emotional, |
| standard, currently training is at Masters Level. | | | | Behavioural and Social Problems, Post Traumatic |
| Dramatherapists complete group and individual | | | | Stress Disorder, Trauma, Loss and Transitions in life |
| therapy and 100 hours of clinical sessions with clients | | | | such as pregnancy. Aims are always tailored to the |
| before they qualify. Once qualified they receive | | | | individual client and group yet can include; building |
| regular clinical supervision. | | | | confidence, improving social skills, developing trust, |
| As with Art and Music Therapy, Dramatherapy is a | | | | exploring relationships and emotions. |
| non-direct, non-verbal psychodynamic therapy. It is a | | | | Dramatherapy takes its theoretical base from multiple |
| client-centred and humanistic form of psychotherapy | | | | disciplines including psychotherapy, psychodrama, play, |
| which uses primarily the art forms of drama and | | | | developmental psychology, anthropology and |
| theatre as a way of expressing emotions, exploring | | | | Theatre. Sessions can be delivered in small groups or |
| problems, and promoting psychological growth. | | | | one-to-one with the therapist. Dramatherapy includes |
| Dramatherapy is described as non-verbal because it is | | | | many elements - the Dramatherapist facilitates |
| not a purely verbal therapy therefore it can be used | | | | different exercises and art forms as appropriate |
| alongside verbal therapies or as an alternative. This | | | | tailored to the clients needs. Sessions may include |
| also means that young children, those with severe | | | | movement, games, play, stories, voice, singing, art, |
| disabilities, illnesses or trauma, or elderly clients, can | | | | music and dance. The use of drama enables creative |
| access this therapy more easily than more verbal | | | | self-expression, experimentation with different roles |
| based therapies. The clients who access the therapy | | | | and ways of behaving and self-esteem to develop. |
| need no previous experience of drama and work at | | | | The therapeutic elements of the session offer |
| their own pace within their own capabilities. The art | | | | empowerment and a confidential, safe environment |
| form becomes a safe metaphor to express | | | | to work through difficult thoughts and emotions |
| unconscious and difficult feelings in a supportive, | | | | without judgement. Dramatherapy can be offered as |
| consistent environment. | | | | a short-term therapy, to address specific problems, |
| Dramatherapists work in various organisations and | | | | or as an intensive long-term therapy for those who |
| private practice. These include; schools, prisons, | | | | need in-depth work. |