What is drama therapy and why should a survivor of domestic abuse try it?

So what is drama therapy?

When you hear the words, ‘drama therapy’ what comes to mind? 

Is it therapy for actors?

Therapy about your drama? 

Can you only do it if you have acting experience? 

Here’s a definition of drama therapy from North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA):

…the intentional use of drama and theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals…Drama therapy can take many forms depending on individual and group needs…Processes and techniques may include improvisation, theater games, storytelling, and enactment….participants are invited to rehearse desired behaviors, practice being in relationship, expand and find flexibility between life roles…

In the following sections I’ll go more into depth about how drama therapy can help survivors of domestic abuse. 

Embodiment

One thing clients love about the drama therapy approach is how it uses the body more than just talking about the issue. This can be a game-changer when it comes to processing trauma. For survivors of domestic abuse, talking about violence doesn’t always express how difficult it was. Sometimes you need different modes of communicating what you went through. 

And though drama therapy uses embodiment practices and lets people’s imagination fly as they create within the activities, it’s also important to note that a drama therapist will move at your pace! No one is about to ask you to memorize a monologue and recite it while you think about a horrible memory from your life…

Metaphors and Symbols

Drama therapy makes use of metaphors and symbols to help clients approach their problems. Think back to a moment when you compared your situation to some kind of metaphor and ask yourself why you did that. For a survivor of domestic abuse, a metaphor to describe the violence could be something like ‘suddenly he exploded like a volcano, or ‘it was like the calm before the storm.’ Sometimes it can make things easier to talk about them through metaphor, and drama therapy hones in on that process.

Social engagement

Some other benefits of the drama therapy process are how survivors can come together to support one another in an open and warm environment. Like any therapy, serious themes will come up, but a drama therapist will want to make sure that the person or group is ready first. You would also experience the fun of creating and sharing in a group!

Rehearsing for Life

As a survivor, you’ll experience different moments in life that are challenging to manage. This could be negotiating child custody with your partner. If you’re living in a rural context, it might be worrying about what people will think. You might need to go to court to testify about your experience. 

Drama therapy is a space where, after trust is built, you can ‘rehearse’ for real life situations, helping your mind and body to prepare for difficult moments. This would be a step you’d take with your drama therapist only if you are ready to do so. 

Get help

If you want to learn more about how drama therapy might be the right fit for you, feel free to get in touch with me via email or my phone number. My private practice is specifically tailored to helping women and children survivors of domestic abuse. To assist with the needs of survivors, I am able to provide therapy over zoom or even via telephone. 

Resources:

Ontario wide: dial tel:211, or toll free: tel:+18773303213

Quebec wide SOS Helpline: 1 800 363-9010

Kawartha Lakes crisis line: 705 878 3662

Haliburton Highlands crisis line: 705 286 6442