What is Dramatherapy?
Dramatherapy consists of two elements:
Therapeutic – this allows the psychological needs of the group or individual to be identified and worked through in a safe and supportive environment and in a non-directive manner. The initial focus is on what each individual brings to the session.
Dramatic – this explores the creative and spontaneous potential of the body and mind, through working with drama-related techniques.
Dramatherapy is a highly adaptable process which makes it accessible to, and effective with, a wide range of people of all ages.
Dramatherapy at Carew Academy
Dramatherapy at Carew Academy is at present facilitated by one qualified, state registered dramatherapist, Lynn Cedar. As well as planning each week’s sessions and running the sessions with the students, Lynn spends time each week recording each session and liasing with a designated member of staff.
Dramatherapy aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Improved relationships
- Increased communication skill
- Greater ability to express and explore feelings
- Developed social interaction skills
- Developed artistic and creative skills
- Improved self-image and self-confidence
- Increased ability to work with the imagination
- Improved opportunities and skills for self-advocacy
- Having fun
Indirectly, dramatherapy also benefits the classmates, teachers, siblings and parents of the children who attend. This is due to the improvement in social skills, relationships with peers, expression of feelings and the ability to cope better with anxiety and change. After receiving dramatherapy the students can improve self-awareness, eye contact, observation, listening skills, expression of likes and dislikes and their ability to make choices through an increased understanding of others. By developing their capacity to cope with different situations through role-playing scenarios, students can improve their ability to deal with anxiety and change.
Roundabout
Dramatherapy at Carew is provided by Roundabout.
Roundabout was established in 1985 with the remit of providing psychological, educational and artistic benefits through the provision of a dramatherapy service.
Roundabout’s dramatherapists work to the Code of Ethical Practice established and approved by the British Association of Dramatherapists. All our dramatherapists are qualified to MA level and registered with the Health Professions Council. They are, of course, DBS checked to the enhanced level. Roundabout works to its own Safeguarding Policies and within the equivalent policies at each project location.
Roundabout
Cornerstone House
14 Willis Road
Croydon CR0 2XX
020 8665 0038
roundabout@cornerstonehouse.org.uk
