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People also ask
Can Theatre improve mental health?
Why do mental health hospitals use drama therapy?
What are the benefits of Drama Therapy?
Are group drama-based therapies effective in reducing mental illness?
Does Theatre portray mental illness?
How does mental illness affect actors?
This review and meta-analysis concludes that drama has the potential to improve mental health (e.g., trauma-related disorders) and well-being (e.g., psychological well-being), positioning it as a supplement to mental health care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drama therapy gives people the opportunity to explore how they are feeling and what they have gone through in ways that don’t have to be verbal. Drama forms such as puppetry, physical theatre, mime, and masks have been proven to help people with recovery.
Apr 27, 2023 · The findings suggest that group drama-based therapies are effective in reducing mental illness and increasing mental health across a range of age groups and settings and provide justifications for the increasing use of these interventions in mental healthcare practice.
May 20, 2021 · As lockdown restrictions ease and several theatres begin reopening, evidence of the power of theatre to enrich people’s lives physically and mentally – as well as culturally – will be a vital tool to help secure the UK’s world-leading theatre sector the support it needs to survive.
- Overview
- What is it?
- What are the benefits?
- How does it work?
- Risks
- How is it different from psychodrama therapy?
- How to get started
- Summary
Drama therapy is a form of psychotherapy. It involves using drama and theatre techniques to help people resolve conflicts and problems. It may also allow individuals to develop self-awareness, express emotions, and improve relationships.
This form of therapy can be useful for people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. Although there is a lack of large-scale studies on the technique, drama therapy appears to be helpful for certain issues, including trauma, abuse, mental health disorders, addiction, family conflict, and social problems.
Drama therapy uses the power of theater and storytelling to facilitate personal growth and healing.
According to The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, drama therapy dates to the 18th century in Europe. Although people used dance and storytelling before this, it was not until this point that mental health practitioners used the approach.
Drama became a form of recreation, with people creating plays and exploring their issues. It allowed them to explore their emotions in a safe and controlled environment. It evolved until becoming more focused, with practitioners helping its redefinition as a therapy in the 20th century.
It is an active and experiential approach that can help people address various issues, including trauma, mental illness, relationship problems, and personal goal-setting. Drama therapists help people explore difficult emotions, process past experiences, and work through challenging life situations.
Drama therapy maintains the belief that everyone has an innate capacity for creative expression. When individuals explore their inner lives through drama, they can access hidden parts of themselves, develop new ways of relating to others, and find new solutions to old problems.
Drama therapy works for individuals, groups, or family settings. Therapists may use it in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Drama therapy can address a wide range of conditions, including:
•depression
•anxiety
•trauma
•substance use
People can also use it to address relationship problems, life transitions, and personal goal-setting.
A drama therapist assesses a person’s individual needs and goals to create a treatment plan. They then use different drama techniques, activities, and exercises to help the person explore their emotions and work through challenging life experiences.
These creative methods include:
•storytelling
•games
•play acting
•improvisation
Studies on the effects of drama therapy usually find that it is safe and well-tolerable. However, there are some considerations:
•Therapist-client relationship: Individuals must find a therapist they feel comfortable with and who understands their needs.
•Difficult emotions: Drama therapy can bring up difficult emotions. A person should feel comfortable in the setting and have a good support system outside of therapy.
•Techniques: Some people may not like using creative or expressive techniques, so it is important to find a therapist who uses different approaches if necessary.
Psychodrama is another creative art therapy that enables people to explore issues by dramatizing events from the past.
Although both psychodrama and drama therapy incorporate similar activities, there is a key difference. Drama therapy allows individuals to explore fictional situations or stories. This could include fairytales, TV dramas, or improvised scenes. In contrast, psychodrama focuses on a person’s real-life experiences.
If a person thinks that drama therapy could be a good fit for them, they can consider the following steps:
•Find a therapist: Look for a qualified drama therapist with experience in treating the individual’s specific needs. People can find therapists through the North American Drama Therapy Association.
•Ask questions: Before starting therapy, an individual should ask the therapist about their qualifications, experience, and approach. This should help them feel more comfortable and confident in the therapy process.
•Prepare for sessions: It is best to wear comfortable clothes and shoes to drama therapy sessions. They could also bring a water bottle and snacks if necessary.
Drama therapy is a form of creative art therapy. It uses drama techniques, such as games, play-acting, and guided visualizations, to help people explore their emotions and work through challenging life experiences.
This therapy can help individuals gain new perspectives, increase self-awareness, and build stronger relationships.
If you’re searching for ways to improve your mental health – and enjoy yourself while doing so – try engaging with theatre or other performing arts experiences. On The Stage explores a few ways that theatre itself can improve mental well-being… one performance at a time.
Study participants shared that audience members who struggle with mental health concerns can feel less alone when seeing mental illness portrayed on stage. Theater can also spark discussion and personal reflection about mental illness, decrease stigma, build empathy for people living with mental illness and even encourage activism.
