Flor Ferraco
Artist, Drama and Movement Therapist
01
What Is Drama and Movement Therapy?
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Dramatherapy uses the artistic and dramatic form to heal, express and process different emotions. It can change the relationship or perspective to the problems.
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Some of the drama techniques used are: stories, enactment, music, movement, voice, playing, role-play, object relation and other creative methods.
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Dramatherapy is a non-confrontational therapy, it uses an indirect way of dealing with different issues.
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The main purpose of dramatherapy is to enable clients a safe space to explore their own feelings or experiences. It is because of this, that dramatherapy is not about performing or ‘being good at…’ and no previous experience is needed.
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The sessions are client-based orientated and are open for clients to do as much or as little as they want.
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It is important to note that Dramatherapy is recognized and accredited by the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) as one of the Art Therapies in the UK.
You can find more information about Dramatherapy in the British Association of Dramatherapists website, or go to contact page to ask any particular questions you may have.
02
Benefits of Dramatherapy
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Dramatherapy can help the client to balance internal and external factors that may be affecting his or her life. A new relationship with the client’s particular issue can emerge and this new connection has the capacity of bringing personal change.
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Dramatherapy has been proved as well as a useful therapy for children and non-verbal clients. Different feelings can be indirectly explored through play, movement, touch, stories and symbols.
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Adolescents and adults whom may find difficult to directly express themselves can use the dramatherapeutic space to experiment and explore those problems or issues through the creative work, role-play, art, voice or movement.
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Sessions are flexible and can be organized in a form of a group or one-to one. Group-work is effective to explore relationships, group dynamics or to find support within the other members. Furthermore, various common cultural issues can be expressed and looked at in a group session.
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03
Some common aims of dramatherapy are:
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To develop social and communication skills
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Increase selfesteem and confidence
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Develop creativity and artistic skills
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Improve group awareness and/or build trust and relationships
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Develop and explore body awareness
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Encourage self-expression and explore feelings
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Encourage work with imagination and play
Clients are invited to do as much or as little as they want and the space is open for them to explore different feelings. Because of its indirect approach, clients may find it less intimidating and confrontational than other forms of therapy.