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Drama as a Path to Recovery: Harnessing the Therapeutic Power of Performance

**Understand how drama therapy is integrated into broader mental health treatment strategies**

Robert Landy, PHD, RDT/BCT.

Director Drama Therapy Program, New York University

"Unlike talk therapy, drama therapy gets there really fast. Role-playing-acting out issues and problems- is more effective than talking."

Personal Growth via Drama

Drama therapy is the intentional use of drama and/or theatre processes to achieve therapeutic goals.

Drama therapy is a type of psychotherapy using the art forms of drama and theatre. It is one of the Creative Art Therapies which include, art, music, drama and dance/movement. It can be offered individually or in groups.

Drama therapy sessions offer a space to express feelings and enhance spontaneity using various methods including play, storytelling and movement. In working creatively we hope to promote psychological healing and growth.

You don’t need to have any experience of drama or the arts to take part. The aim isn’t to perform or be put on the spot but to work with therapeutic aspects of drama at your own pace and with your potential.

Perfect for all age groups

Drama therapy is active and experiential. This approach can provide the context for participants to tell their stories, set goals and solve problems, express feelings, or achieve catharsis.

Through drama, the depth and breadth of inner experience can be actively explored and interpersonal relationship skills can be enhanced. Participants can expand their repertoire of dramatic roles to find that their life roles have been strengthened.

Drama therapy (written dramatherapy) is the use of theatre, techniques to facilitate personal growth and promote mental health.

Drama therapy is used in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, mental health centres, prisons, and businesses. Drama therapy, as a form of ‘expressive therapy’ (also known as creative arts therapy), exists in many forms and can apply to individuals, couples, families, and various groups.