dramatherapy - how I work

What is Creative Arts Psychotherapy

Creative Arts Therapies includes Dramatherapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Dance Movement Psychotherapy and Play Therapy.

As well as talking therapy I specialise in Dramatherapy

- A Creative Arts Psychotherapy which includes all of the above.

How I work (Jungian Psychology):

Creative Arts Psychotherapy has its roots in Jungian psychology which starts by recognising the potential in each individual and working toward allowing the person to develop themselves fully. Jungian therapy frequently involves looking at the way that past experiences have affected the individual and the way they continue to prevent us from living fulfilled lives; in other words, Jungian therapy is about ‘removing obstacles’.

Difficulties such as depression or anxiety may result partly from a lack of development of other elements of the personality, such as assertiveness or the willingness to take risks and engage with life; this will, in turn, usually be related to the person’s life experience and family history. Sometimes the issues relate to past or recent trauma or loss, such as sexual or emotional abuse, bereavement, torture, forced emigration or accident, as well as issues related to retirement, divorce, ageing and redundancy.

Alternatively the issues may be about becoming able to ‘be oneself’, where the person can begin to take risks being themselves in a safe environment – issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, shame and social phobia come in here. Issues with relationships, or the difficulty forming relationships, are also particularly issues I address.. As Jung said, every individual is unique and each therapy will be unique to that individual and that therapist.

Dramatherapy

Dramatherapy is a form of psychological therapy in which all of the performance arts are utilised within the therapeutic relationship. Dramatherapists are both artists and clinicians and draw on their training's in theatre/drama and therapy to create methods to engage clients in effecting psychological, emotional and social changes. The therapy gives equal validity to body and mind within the dramatic context; stories, myths, play-texts, puppetry, masks and improvisation are examples of the range of artistic interventions a Dramatherapist may employ. These will enable the client to explore difficult and painful life experiences through an indirect approach.

Clients who are referred to a Dramatherapist do not need to have previous experience or skill in acting, theatre or drama. Dramatherapists are trained to enable clients to find the most suitable medium for them to engage in group or individual therapy to address and resolve, or make troubling issues more bearable. Definition by British Association of Dramatherapy.

I have extensive experience in anxiety management, stress coping skills, anger issues, depression, addictions, relationships, identity issues, family problems, dating, self-confidence, sexual issues and associated unconscious work. I offer my clients talking therapy as well as the option of getting out of your chair, in order to explore relevant issues through the art form of role-play, drama, movement, voice, story-telling, story-enactment, improvisation, puppetry, drumming, the playing of instruments, drawing and making music if I see this as useful - and always in relation to what you are comfortable with.

Words versus creative expression

Creative exercises can be particularly useful when:

a client can't quite explain with words what is going on for them.
a client does't quite know what is going on for them, as they may be unconscious issues.
words are disguising, rather than revealing, the meaning of our experience to ourselves and others.

'Unconditional Positive Regard'

It means that the therapist is listening attentively and caring for his client. They prize their client as a unique, worthwhile and valued human being. This does not mean that therapists have to approve of everything their clients do. It means that the therapist understands and accepts people, as non judgmentally as possible.

So, as your therapist I offer you sessions where:

what you share and the work we do is non judgmental

the emphasis is NOT on whether I agree or disagree with you.
where my responsibility, together with you, is to hold a safe confidential space where you feel comfortable and inspired, to explore issues and questions in your life.
I am there to metaphorically 'hold you' and help you through your journey of exploration.

'If relationships can be created which are genuine and transparent, conveying real feelings, warm, accepting, prizing of other - as a separate individual, able to show the other that their world is seen and understood... then there will be growth of self confidence, self worth, more expressiveness and greater ability to be and cope with the journey of life.' Carl Rogers