Similarly to mime, movement therapy requires you to express emotions through your body rather than through speaking. Using speech in dramatherapy could involve speaking in ways you don't normally (for example if you have low self-confidence, your therapist may ask you to shout rather than whisper) or it may involve using language to describe the way a character is feeling. This can cause you to think in different ways and may tap into feelings you've not experienced before. This means that you will need to rely on your body language alone to portray a certain emotion or scenario. Miming is essentially acting without the use of speech. This technique may require you to work with others and makes you think on your feet. To improvise in acting is to make up a scenario and dialogue on the spot. An example of this would be to act the part of a child or parent and to explore any emotions this brings to the surface.
This is when you act the part of a certain character in a certain situation. One of the most common activities used in dramatherapy is role-play. Dramatherapy activitiesįor the main activity dramatherapists can use a range of different techniques and activities including the following: Role-play Closing – At the end of the session the therapist may ask for your input into how you think the session went, or they may de-brief the group to let you know what you've achieved. The main activity – This is when the therapist will help the group explore issues through various dramatherapy techniques such as role-play.Ĥ.
A warm-up activity is something that loosens the muscles and engages the imagination an example of this is the name game where members of the group introduce themselves by stating their name and miming an action that represents how they are feeling.ģ. Warm-up – At this point the dramatherapist will want to prepare you for the session. Younger children may be supported in this with the use of emotion cards.Ģ. Check in – This is designed to help the dramatherapist understand how you're feeling today. Once the therapist has a better understanding of your expectations and needs, the session can begin.Ī typical group dramatherapy session may work like this:ġ. The first job of the dramatherapist is to get to know you and what you are hoping to achieve through therapy. It may be that everyone in one group is facing a similar issue, or you may all have different reasons for being there. This means that dramatherapists often find themselves working with a range of different people who have different needs.
Dramatherapy can take place in a range of different settings including schools, prisons, social care facilities and private workspaces. to explore and overcome unhealthy behaviourĮach therapy session will be different according to the needs of those taking part.Creating this space between yourself and the emotional concerns being explored can offer clarity and a sense of relief or catharsis. Usually the fictitious story will be your own story re-told through different characters.
A dramatherapist will use different techniques and may help you create a fictional story to portray. This could involve a variety of activities including writing and learning scripts, improvisation exercises, or activities using puppets and masks.ĭramatherapy is often used within a group environment, however it can be used in one to one sessions too. Dramatherapy is a type of therapy that allows you to explore emotional difficulties through the medium of drama.