Q. How are Creative Arts Therapies, such as Dramatherapy, different to other forms of psychological invervention?

A. In order to explain the use of "distancing" by using a creative art form, somebody once explained it to me as a triangulation. The use of these techniques adds an extra dimension to the usual linear therapist/client relationship creating this “triangulation” and therefore opening up the safe space in between. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. Who can benefit from Dramatherapy?

A. Absolutely anyone can benefit from Dramatherapy. Much of my experience has been with children and young people but I have also worked with adults with learning difficulties and in a community adult mental health setting. I know of Dramatherapists who work in prisons, who work for the NHS (both in-patient settings and otherwise), for local councils in their Child and Adolecent Mental Health departments, they work for charities and in schools of all kinds, in retirement centres, care homes and on military bases. I'm sure there are other settings that I haven't mentioned where Dramatherapy could also be beneficial.

We are trained to work with all sorts of differing needs from children on the autistic spectrum to older people with dementia; adolescents who self-harm, people with histories of sexual and/or physical abuse, those suffering from a mental illness and women with post-natal depression. Eating disorders, PTSD, behavioural problems, school exculsion, anger management right through the spectrum to people who are just struggling a bit with life, who feel blue and cannot express how or why. ANYONE who feels the need to express themself in ways other than one-to-one verbal discussions can benefit from Dramatherapy.

 

Q. What happens in a "typical" Dramatherapy session?

A. There is no such thing as a typical Dramatherapy session! One of the main benefits of this particular type of therapy is that it is usually very flexible and client led. I aim to begin all sessions with a check in and warm up which can involve anything from gentle ball games, to word association, to deep breathing etc. Equally, I aim to finish each session with a period of reflection, either silently and internally, verbally or by creating something reflective like a poem, picture or sculpt. What happens in between is very changeable. This is YOUR safe space, and it is my job to hold it and maintain the boundaries of it, utilising my training to anticipate how to use the space that will be of benefit to YOU. If you would like to see some further examples of activities that may be used please see 

 

Q. How many sessions would I need?

A. I would normally have an initial assesment session with a client, where we wil begin to explore the therapy space, work out if Dramatherapy is right for you and mutually agree on a set amount of sessions in order that our therapeutic cycle can have a clear beginning, middle and end. I would usually recommend no fewer than 10 though I have done blocks of 8 in the past, in extreme circumstances, to fit in to organisational timetabling (referral orders etc.)

 

Q. How do you know it's working?

A. Therapy is very much a collaborative process and we will regularly reflect on how you think the work is going. I will keep reflective session notes (created and stored inline with current GDPR guidelines). There will be continuous assessment throughout the therapeutic cycle and there is also the option to use statistical outcome measures such as the Mental Health Recovery Star or Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires.

 

Q. How can I be sure of confidentiality?

A. I am bound by a strict ethical code of practice. Only relevant information will be held, anonymised clinical notes and any other materials will either be stored on a password protected computer system or stored in a locked box or filing cabinet.

 

Q. What about safeguarding?

A. All confidential treatment comes with the caveat of safeguarding. However, this only comes into play if you or someone close to you is perceived to be in imminent danger of significant harm. I receive yearly Safeguarding Training and am well versed in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

 

Q. How is it helpful if I'm pretending to be someone else, surely this is avoiding the problem?

A. Rather than being avoidant, Dramatherapy can be an illuminative process as, by approaching our issues in a different way we can shed light on the roots of a problem rather than merely the symptoms. Character work is rare in Dramatherapy though it can happen, either as a means to empowerment, or to offer insight and empathy.

 

Q. How can I be referred?

A. I work mainly on a self referral basis, or through school referrals. You may also be referred to Dramatherapy through your local NHS though the waiting list can be substantial.

 

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