Drama therapy

About this course

This course introduces dramatherapy as a profession and explores how performance arts can be used within a therapeutic relationship. Participants work with storytelling, story enactment, relevant themes and metaphors, and consider the role of C.G. Jung’s archetypes. An identity workshop examines ideas around selfhood and identification. Teaching combines practical dramatic exercises, improvisation, group and pair work, showing or sharing dramatic work, and reflective discussion. Limited personal sharing may be encouraged but is optional at this level. Background reading is provided for study outside class.

What you'll learn

• Practise selected dramatherapy techniques through dramatic exercises and story work.
• Use improvisation to respond spontaneously in dramatic activities.
• Apply voice and movement skills within dramatherapy exercises.
• Explain key therapeutic ideas in dramatherapy, including the relevance of C.G. Jung’s archetypes.
• Describe aspects of professional dramatherapy practice and its use in different settings.

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for beginners with an interest in dramatherapy and requires active participation in discussions, group and pair work, and practical exercises. A certain maturity is specified, while personal sharing is optional. It may be relevant to people considering further study or using drama in professional settings.

• Participants need to listen and respond to instructions and feedback.
• The course involves working safely with groups and pairs.
• It may suit social workers, counsellors, nurses, teachers and actors interested in the subject.

Before you go

• Comfortable clothing should be worn for movement and story-enactment workshops.
• Participants should bring paper and pens.
• Relevant books will be recommended, and background reading is provided to take home.
• A CPD certificate is issued on completion of the whole course, subject to 100% attendance across all course dates.