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What on Earth is Dramatherapy???

This article is written by Teoh Hui Ying, a university student who is currently doing her bachelor's of Psychology program.

            I was first introduced to the term ‘dramatherapist’ when the head of the Psychology department introduced Ms. Vanitha Chandrasegaram to the class. She happened to be one of the lecturers for Abnormal Psychology. She then introduced the term ‘dramatherapy’ to us, and conducted a few dramatherapy workshops to let us understand more of what goes on in dramatherapy, which were fruitful. I had fun doing storytelling with my fellow classmates, online, as it was during the Covid pandemic. After being exposed to dramatherapy, I gained interest in what dramatherapy gives.  

            My initial understanding upon dramatherapy before getting workshops from Ms. Vanitha was, it is a form of therapy that involves drama and creative arts. The fact that dramatherapy was unfamiliar and new in Malaysia intrigued me. WHY HAVE WE NOT KNOWN THIS? I was also attracted to dramatherapy as I always have a huge interest in expressive arts, whether it’s the movies or television shows. The creative aspect hugely attracted me. Focusing on the individual’s creativity, play and having fun, it was an interesting way of therapy. Along with you, the reader who might be unfamiliar to dramatherapy, let’s start by looking at its definition.

What is Dramatherapy? 

            “ When someone asks me about what I do as a dramatherapist, I tell them that I am like a counsellor, but instead of asking my clients to talk about their problems, I use drama and creative arts as the medium to help them express and work though their problems”, - Vanitha Chandrasegaram

According to The Prompt’s Autumn issue back in 2008, dramatherapists gathered and agreed that the definition for dramatherapy is not set yet, it is definitely diverse in definitions given.

·       The British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth): “A method of working and playing that uses action methods to facilitate creativity, imagination, learning, insight and growth”.

·       The American Psychological Association (APA): “In group therapy, the use of theatre techniques to gain self-awareness and increase self-expression”.

In addition, dramatherapy can be conducted to individuals as well depending on the therapist’s preferences. The reasons why dramatherapy has a broad definition due to the wide range of media or props used in the process, such as puppets, storytelling and short plays, along with the various benefits from the process. In a nutshell, dramatherapy aims to provide a safe space for clients and using drama techniques to heal them by focusing on their inner strengths.

PSYCHODRAMA vs. DRAMATHERAPY

While looking up on information about dramatherapy, I happened to stumble upon psychodrama, another term that often confuses the public with dramatherapy.

Psychodrama is a form of psychotherapy in which clients express through dramatization, role-playing and dramatic self-presentation. Both psychodrama and dramatherapy have a few similarities (eg: drama elements, role play,  group therapies etc.), but there is a main difference on what they emphasize in.

Modern-day psychodrama emphasizes clients on portraying past memories, fantasies or preparation for future scenarios; dramatherapy, however, empahsizes on creativity and being playful, while working through the various challenges the individual/ group members are faced with, while being in the present.

            Psychodrama aims to let the client to portray what they will do in future scenarios or re-enact past memories, while dramatherapy creates a fun scenario with innovative stories to allow clients to be in their own skin or express themselves to the fullest. These fictional stories may reflect as metaphors of the issues that the client may be experiencing in their lives. Often the elements of the stories may be unconscious emotions or thoughts that are made conscious through the stories or other creative tools used in the practice of dramatherapy.

Who do dramatherapists treat? Can I go see a dramatherapist?  

            If I were to describe dramatherapy in Malaysia, it is like a place where Indiana Jones would find, a rare place that only PEOPLE WHO ARE CURIOUS may learn about it. It was an unfamiliar area, especially to us students who are trying to complete a degree in Psychology. Thanks to Ms. Vanitha, we not only learn about what goes on in dramatherapy, but also WHO dramatherapy can be provided to. Dramatherapy can be conducted to all age groups, including children and elderly. For group therapies, some dramatherapists conduct workshops or dramatherapy in school settings or old folks homes as well. Dramatherapy is for EVERYONE. Even if you’re perfectly fine and healthy, feel free to join a session of dramatherapy to get to know yourself better/ become more self aware, while HAVING FUN!

Ø  Ms. Vanitha’s has experience in treating patients with depression, anxiety or trauma-related disorders. Her preference is to work with clients/patients with mental health disorders, relationship challenges with self and others, bereavement and those interested in personal development/self-awareness

Ø  Dramatherapists, work with clients/patients with autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), down syndrome and other forms of learning difficulties.

These are just some of the mental disorders that can be treated by dramatherapy. Although dramatherapy is an option of therapy for people suffering from mental disorders, it does not limit its benefits to people with mental disorder only.

Ø  Dr. Sue Jennings, one of the founders of dramatherapy, administered dramatherapy techniques to individuals suffering from strokes, as she focuses on the stimulation of the senses. Dr Sue’s report on her successful workshops proved that dramatherapy gives benefits for both worlds, physically and mentally.

Dr. Sue Jennings’ workshops may also suggest possible workshops conducted on people suffering with certain physical disabilities and focus on exercising their muscles and senses.

Closing thoughts

            Lastly, Artaud (1968) once said that the action of theatre can cause our hidden masks to fall, allowing us to reveal ourselves and be true to ourselves. I had the privilege to talk with Ms. Vanitha, the pioneer of dramatherapy in Malaysia, about dramatherapy in Malaysia. Unlike countries such as United Kingdoms or America, Malaysia’s mental health industry is unexpectedly small. Dramatherapy in Malaysia is just a tiny part of that small industry. I am looking forward in more exposure of dramatherapy in Malaysia and how it will evolve in the future. I would like to end this post by encouraging the readers, you, and the public to experience and expose yourself to the benefits of dramatherapy. And remember, HAVE FUN!!    

 

References

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Dramatherapy. Dictionary.Apa.Org. Retrieved August 4, 2020,

        rom https://dictionary.apa.org/drama-therapy

Artaud, A. (1968). The theatre of cruelty. The theory of the modern stage/Ed. by E. Bentley. Penguin.

Sue, E. J. (2008). ONE FINGER ONE THUMB KEEP MOVING: The importance of movemen and stories for people who have had strokes. The Prompt, Winter 2008, 14–15.  https://badth.org.uk/

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Gardner, N., & Smythe, G. (2008). Role Up Role Up Get Your Dramatherapy Definition here? (BADth conference 2008). The Prompt, Autumn 2008, 8–9. https://badth.org.uk/

Kedem-Tahar, E., & Felix-Kellermann, P. (1996). Psychodrama and drama therapy: A comparison. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 23(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-4556(95)00059-3

Leigh, L. (2006). Dramatherapy with Children. The Prompt, Winter 2006/07, 14–15. https://badth.org.uk/