What is drama therapy?
The answer is simple. The word ‘drama’ comes from the Greek language and means: to act. Roughly translated drama therapy means: therapy of the acting. Would you like to be more a doer than a talker and are you struggling with a problem, then drama therapy can help! The advantage of ‘doing’, is that it makes it easier for you to get to your imagination and your emotions.
Healing power
I came into contact with the healing power of playing when I, as a shy child, went to a outdoor playgroup. Those experiences later led me see a link between playing with each other and the therapeutical effects of it. Everything fell into place when I visited the information day of the drama therapy training.
What is it?
For example, something has been bothering you for a while. Through drama therapy you can mimic the problem. That can be possible in a very structured way by simulating for example a real situation and to literally play the whole situation. After that you can look at it and discuss what was going on and what actually happened. You have a closer look at what you did, why you did it and what you want to do in a different way. And then you can also play that different situation. In doing so, you will be encouraged and assisted to try and work out a few more other things.
Another way of drama therapy is improvisation. By using improvisation we will eventually get to the point where you want to be. This sounds vague, but a large part of your life you are actually just doing things in a not so structured way. This method teaches you to learn to cope with the instability of life. That can be very convenient in this time of control, plans, and the hunt for certainty.
“Through drama therapy I noticed that I am more freely and more spontaneous in my behaviour. I follow my own instinct in making choices.” Robbert
How can you adapt drama therapy
I often see people, in my practice, who think a lot and find it hard to act. There are people who don’t know what they want to do with their lives, or don’t actually know whether they’re straight or gay, or both. Also, I see people who find it hard to deal with social situations or flirting. Or they always find themselves in conflict with their boss or partner and have no idea why. People who wonder; why do I always act like this? Do you recognise yourself in this? As an expert I can also help you if you have been bullied or have a bullied past.
Furthermore you can think of problems like:
• stress and burnout;
• sleep disorders;
• personality disorders.
Would you like to have a look, together with others, at the things that are bothering you, give it attention and be able to clarify it when it occurs again? Try drama therapy!
Photocredits: GJDB fotografie