A collaborative form of performing arts that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience on a stage has been quite an interesting topic for mankind. Theater has been present since ancient times, from the city-state Athens to modern-day towns. The origins of theater can be traced back to ancient Greece. Since its origin, there have been many different kinds, ranging from the sophisticated Indian theatre to the elegant Roman. Since its beginning, theater has been quite an eye-catcher and has been an object of interest for many people. Theater is a means of providing entertainment to people and offering them a new perspective on different issues, ranging from the melancholy romance of Shakespeare to the mythology nestled in the Asian continent. Other than being a source of entertainment, theater has also proven to play its part as a form of therapy or a healing process, as we may say.

Drama Therapy

One of the notable forms of psychotherapy, drama therapy originated in the 18th century and involves using drama and theater techniques to help people resolve conflicts and problems. It may also allow individuals to develop self-awareness, express emotions, and improve relationships. It uses the power of theater and storytelling to facilitate personal growth and healing. It is an active and experiential approach that can help people address various issues, including trauma, mental illness, relationship problems, and personal goal-setting. The belief that everyone has an innate capacity for creative expression has been exploited by drama therapy. When individuals explore their inner lives through drama, they can access hidden parts of themselves, develop new ways of relating to others, and find new solutions to old problems.

One of the main misconceptions we may face while getting to know about drama therapy is that it is quite different from the normal acting that we see in our daily lives. Due to the cathartic nature of dramatic artistic expression, drama itself tends to promote good mental health. However, as we may say, drama therapy consists of more than just acting. Like art, music, and dance therapies, drama therapy uses the art form as a board for deeper, more meaningful work with participants. Drama therapists guide people in therapy through a series of intentional activities that allow them to enact scenes representative of the way they want to live their lives. Participants may see drama therapy affect changes in their behavior, emotional state, personal growth, and skill adaptation. Participants utilizing drama therapy are often able to improve their interpersonal relationship skills.

Origin of Drama Therapy

Drama therapy was born out of the realization that some life experiences and wounds are too painful to address through verbal dialogue alone. Because drama uses metaphor to express emotion, it was a natural fit for a therapeutic framework. The originators of drama therapy took advantage of the psychological safety and distance that drama tends to provide. In the context of this safe therapeutic relationship, drama therapy allows a person to rely on both physical and verbal expression to work through difficult emotional issues.

How Does It Work?

It has been observed that dramatic activities stimulate various brain regions associated with creativity, emotional expression, and cognitive flexibility. When individuals participate in role-playing or storytelling, it activates brain areas linked to sympathy, empathy, self-reflection, and emotional regulation, promoting emotional processing and understanding. Moreover, the therapy encourages the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, which play a role in mood regulation and stress reduction. This creative form of therapy may also enhance neuroplasticity, facilitating new neural connections and adapting responses to emotional challenges. Scientifically, drama therapy’s effectiveness lies in its ability to engage multiple brain systems, promoting emotional expression, cognitive exploration, and potential neurological adaptation, which contributes to personal growth.

Is It Effective, Though?

Although drama therapy is considered a somewhat newer treatment approach, research has been conducted that supports its efficacy. Listed below are a few examples of drama therapy research findings:

1. A study published in the official journal of the NADTA, Drama Therapy Review, found drama therapy to be an effective treatment approach for children on the autism spectrum. The results showed significant improvement in social interaction as well as the reduction of autism-related externalizing behaviors such as hyperactivity and inattention.

2. European Psychiatry, the official journal of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), published a study in 2009 that concluded drama therapy effectively reduced symptoms of social anxiety in its participants.

3. A qualitative case study published in Drama Therapy Review suggests that drama therapy techniques may work well in couples counseling. The couple in the case study reported positive progress as a result of their drama therapy work.

Drama therapy can address a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use.

Thus, we come to know about a new prospect of therapy that may still be new to many people. Drama therapy, as its name suggests, helps people by making them engage in activities that catch their interests. It is quite an intriguing method that captivates a person’s mind and encourages them to be productive. It may play an important role in the world of psychotherapy as it uses an engaging theme that has been known to mankind for a very long time. There has been quite a progress and promising results since the past and it will keep evolving as we move towards a bright future.

Written by: Teeya Patil