Therapies

Dramatherapy

It’s not the clumsiness itself that causes the problem, it’s the side effects of constantly being rejected, constantly not being good enough, that really causes problems, so that they present more as a behavioral problem rather than a physical clumsy one. (Ahern, 1997)

Dramatherapy is the intentional and systematic use of drama and theatre processes to achieve healthy psychological growth and change. An opportunity is provided in the Dramatherapy session to process the difficulties encountered in life through the safety of dramatic distance and re­enactment of life events. Dramatherapy involves and integrates several forms of expression such as movement, voice work, body language and speech.

The methods include spontaneous and dramatic play, drama games, mime, role-play, scripts, masks, myths and stories and metaphor and symbolism. A dramatic talent is not necessary for participation.

The emphasis is not on performance but on the experience of the group or individual. The role of the Dramatherapist is to develop a programme with appropriate aims, objectives and structures to meet the needs and abilities of the client/s.

APPLICATION

Dramatherapist’s work in a variety of settings: health, education, social and prison services, as well as in private practice. It can be applied in many different settings and with many different client groups such as; individual, group and family therapies, outpatient and community mental health settings, psychiatric hospitals, children with behavioral, emotional and learning difficulties, adults and children with learning disabilities and autism, individuals with physical disabilities, substance abuse programs prison and probation services, hospice care and the elderly.

GENERAL AIMS AND BENEFITS

The general aims of a Dramatherapy sessions include exploring ideas, issues and problems (eg. low self esteem, bullying) using drama derived activities; expressing and exploring feelings, developing spontaneity and imagination and creativity, improving self image and self confidence, developing social and relationship skills.

-Extract from ‘Irish Association for Creative Arts Therapists’ information book.

REFERRALS

Groups and individuals can be referred to a dramatherapist by contacting the Dyspraxia Association or downloading the referral form and forwarding it to the Dyspraxia Association.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What typically happens in a dramatherapy session?
Dramatherapy is practiced in a series of sessions. Some sessions are highly structured where the content and process relates to the material brought to the session by the group or individual. However, a dramatherapist will often have some prepared ideas based around the work the group or individual has done to date. Sessions at the beginning of a series tend to be more structured but the basic shape of any dramatherapy session can be divided into five sections:

• Warm Up
• Focusing
• Main Activity
• Closure and de-roling
• Completion

What is the difference between ‘Drama’ and ‘Dramatherapy’?

A ‘Drama’ session can take part in various settings such as all levels of schools, ‘special needs’ centres, youth clubs, and with groups such as children, adolescents, and adults. Here a drama facilitator organizes exercises and games with various goals in mind depending on the group, for example, improving personal confidence and creativity, improving social skills, or simply to have fun in a safe environment. Both of our Drama facilitators have 20 years experience working through Drama.

A ‘Dramatherapy’ session however has a therapeutic intent. Its goal is to facilitate healthy ‘change’ in a client, ie. emotional change, behavioral change or change in personal insight. In a dramatherapy session a trained dramatherapist works with dramatic processes in ways that facilitate ‘therapeutic change’ in a safe, encouraging environment. A Dramatherapy session can be for individual, or groups. Both our Dramatherapists are qualified and graduates of the M.A. in Dramatherapy, NUI, Maynooth.

Drama

‘Drama is the imitation of an action’, (Aristotle) ‘Drama imitates life. Drama is the act of representing events that happened or that we imagine happening’(Bedford Introduction to Drama’, B.Jacobus). It is the creative use of the self as a way to express aspects of ourselves and others.

When and How Drama is used in Dyspraxia Ireland

Drama has been used at Dyspraxia Ireland since July 2008, when Harry Conway asked Michael McCabe to work through Drama with children diagnosed with Dyspraxia and a variety of disorders. Mary O’Doherty has been also working through with Dyspraxia Ireland since March 2009.

General aims of use of Drama

The primary aims of this work, through discussion with relevant parents, has been to improve the individual confidence of the child, to develop their creative abilities, and to improve their socialization skills. Most recently, Michael McCabe and Mary O’Doherty had a successful week long Drama summer camp, where individual children clearly developed their personal confidence and creativity.

Observed Benefits of Drama

The benefits we have seen for each child doing Drama include:

• An improved personal confidence, better awareness of personal body space, and spatial rules in a group.
• An increased eye to eye contact, greater active listening, and increased motor/movement ability.
  A greater ability to listen, communicate, create, play, and have fun, in a safe environment.
• Children have also developed friendships outside with children in the Drama group, and have gained new friends outside their immediate circle.

Frequently asked questions

*What Happens in a typical 2 hour Drama session in Dyspraxia Ireland?

Welcome and brief chat (5 minutes); Warm Up, concentration, and Games/exercises that introduce the main focus to small group (15minutes)
Main focus to smaller sub-group (40 minutes, followed by break of 10 minutes)
Main focus to large group (45minutes)
Summary and what did you learn today (5 minutes)

*Can I make any input/give feedback?

Abseloutely – we have been regularly talking to parents about the Drama work, and how their individual child is getting on. A meeting beforehand and feedback after all Drama work is the best way of ensuring maximum benefit for all concerned.

*Does my child need any talent?

Your child is naturally talented! Just bring himself or herself, and we will do the rest

*What about the Drama facilitators?

Mary O’Doherty is a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting, and has a M.A. in Dramatherapy from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Mary has 20 years experience working through Drama.
Michael McCabe is also a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting, and has an M.A. inDramatherapy from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Michael has 20 years experience working through Drama.

*What is the difference between Drama and Dramatherapy?

A ‘Drama’ session can take part in various settings such as all levels of schools, ‘special needs’ centres, youth clubs, and with groups such as children, adolescents, and adults. Here a drama facilitator organizes exercises and games with various goals in mind depending on the group, for example, improving personal confidence and creativity, improving social skills, or simply to have fun in a safe environment.

Both of our Drama facilitators have 20 years experience working through Drama.

A ‘Dramatherapy’ session however has a therapeutic intent. Its goal is to facilitate healthy ‘change’ in a client, ie. emotional change, behavioral change or change in personal insight. In a dramatherapy session a trained dramatherapist works with dramatic processes in ways that facilitate ‘therapeutic change’ in a safe, encouraging environment. A Dramatherapy session can be for individual, or groups. Both our Dramatherapists are qualified and graduates of the M.A. in Dramatherapy, NUI, Maynooth.

Survey of Provision for Children with Dyspraxia/DCD in the Rep. of Ireland, Renee Ralf, p. 23

Survey of Provision for Children with Dyspraxia/DCD in the Rep. of Ireland, Renee Ralf, p. 23