Actions speak louder than words

Drama therapy is an action-oriented form of psychotherapy that helps people achieve personal and psychological growth through the use of play, imagination and spontaneity. The process is both enjoyable and effective. Drama therapists use role-play to help clients learn and practice new roles, behaviors and ways of communicating and relating. I am a registered drama therapist and a certified practitioner of a form of drama therapy called Developmental Transformations, developed by one of the pioneers of drama therapy, David Read Johnson, Ph. D. Developmental Transformations uses spontaneous improvisation as the basis for therapeutic exploration. Client's images are evoked through movement, sound, gesture and role, and enacted with the therapist, who serves as a facilitator/guide. The therapeutic process has been described as "free association in action". Drama therapy is based on the idea that creativity, spontaneity and play are among the best tools we have to deal with the many challenges that life presents us with. Drama therapy offers a potentially fruitful avenue of personal exploration and self-growth, particularly for those individuals who, due to a traumatic history, have difficulty with interpersonal trust and intimacy.

Why Drama Therapy?

Some people have difficulty expressing themselves in words, and find that nonverbal and symbolic forms of expression allow for more rapid or complete access to their feelings. Others are so adept in the verbal world that they can easily protect themselves with words to avoid dealing with the deeper issues. Many clients have discovered that drama therapy allows them to more easily connect to meaningful issues and make lasting changes than talk therapy alone. I am a Registered Drama Therapist by the National Association for Drama Therapy, and am on the faculty of the Institute for Developmental Transformations. I have led drama therapy with children, adolescents, and adults in both group settings and in individual therapy. A person does not need to have had any previous acting experience to benefit from drama therapy. All it takes is an open mind and a willingness to be playful and expressive. I offer both traditional talk therapy and drama therapy in my practice. Together we will determine which approach is best suited to meet your needs and interests.

For more information about drama therapy, please visit the website for the National Association of Drama Therapy at www. nadt.org