Course Code: XAT513
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Synopsis

XAT513 offers an exploration of Drama Therapy, an evidence-based expressive arts approach that integrates theatre techniques with psychological and therapeutic principles. Students will engage with key theories, methodologies, and applications of drama therapy in clinical, educational, and community settings. Through experiential learning, case studies, and applied practice, students will examine how role-play, improvisation, stories and other creative techniques/modalities foster emotional expression, self-awareness, and psychological well-being. The course also explores the use of drama therapy with diverse populations, including individuals experiencing trauma, mental health challenges, and neurodivergence. By the end of this course, students will have the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to design and facilitate drama-based interventions, consider their applications, and apply ethical and cultural considerations in professional practice
Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

  • Drama-Based Methodologies to Healing
  • Core Processes in Drama Therapy
  • Aesthetic Distance in Therapeutic Practice
  • Applying Creative Techniques in Drama Therapy
  • Story-making and Story-telling in Drama Therapy
  • Embodied Metaphors in Therapeutic Practice
  • The Role of Rituals in Therapeutic Interventions
  • Crafting an Effective Drama Therapeutic Session
  • Facilitating Safe and Supportive Therapeutic Spaces
  • Reflective Practice and Clinical Applications
  • Cultural and Ethical Considerations in Drama Therapy
  • Designing and Implementing Drama Therapy Interventions

Learning Outcome

  • Discuss drama therapy principles and use in therapeutic settings
  • Assess population needs to determine appropriate drama therapeutic approaches
  • Analyse the use of embodied metaphors in drama therapy and their impact on emotional processing
  • Facilitate safe and supportive drama therapy spaces that foster trust, engagement, and emotional expression.
  • Design drama interventions incorporating play, embodiment, and storytelling in therapeutic settings
  • Apply ethical and culturally sensitive practices in drama therapeutic space.
Part-time Programmes / CET Courses