Dramatherapy

Let me tell you a little about Dramatherapy and what it might be like us working together:

Dramatherapy is a therapeutic approach that draws upon and weaves together various techniques to suit the unique needs of each person seeking help. It believes in the healing power of the imagination, body-awareness and creativity alongside talking. My integrative approach brings together theories from drama-psychotherapy, internal family systems therapy, psychodrama, body-work, person-centred counselling and psycho-dynamic theories (if you'd like to know more about these then please do ask and I'll be happy to explain).

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What I believe to be one of the most important parts of psychotherapy is the relationship between therapist and client, so it's always best for us to meet so you can see whether I'm the right person for you to work with. My practice and approach to the therapeutic relationship values deep understanding, compassion, curiosity and care.

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In 2006 I qualified as a dramatherapist and have extensive experience working in adult & adolescent mental health. My practice can help with various mental health needs, such as:

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• recovering from trauma

• abuse

• depression and/or anxiety

• loss and grief (bereavement or loss of identity / role / confidence / relationship)

• addictions

• eating disorders

• feeling stuck, unmotivated and/or indecisive

• identity issues

• sleep issues

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As your therapist I'm not there to offer you a diagnosis or to tell you what to do. My role is to help you explore and make sense of the challenges you face. This may involve working with difficult emotions, as well as identifying and addressing unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns that might be adding to feelings of unhappiness or stress.  Together we will work towards finding new ways of making your life more fulfilling.   Sometimes this involves fine-tuning existing coping strategies or learning new ones; accepting things that you can’t change and addressing issues of self-esteem, self-confidence and self-compassion. 

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Recent studies show that having access to creative methods and an awareness of your body can be very effective within therapy. And so, when working with me, you will also have access to various action methods that can help deepen, enhance and sometimes speed up the therapy process.

 

Action methods can include: focusing on bodily sensations, movements and breath; the use of metaphor and the imagination; working with objects or images to externalize your internal world in order to obtain new perspectives and insights. Dramatherapy also uses Role work: there are clear and simple role techniques which can aid greater self-understanding and harmony. Role work can also promote better understanding of your social, family or intimate relationships too. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right words, or when words alone are not enough, action methods can be very helpful.

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I am also an Internal Family Systems Practitioner, Clinical Supervisor and Artist Wellbeing Practitioner.

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I am registered with the Health Care Professions Council (reg. no. AS08365) and a full member of the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth).

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I have full professional liability insurance with Holistic Insurance.

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