The Healing Drama: Psychodrama and Dramatherapy with Abused Children

by Anne Bannister

Working with children who have been physically or sexually abused presents tremendous challenges. Various therapeutic techniques can be used, and one of them is through the medium of drama in the hands of psychodramatists and dramatherapists. There is comparatively little material available on the use of this technique specifically with abused children. This book sets out the main theoretical and practical approaches. Beginning with the notion of Play and its importance for children, Anne Bannister discusses how children use play as a method of investigation and rehearsing for reality. Role play is then illustrated as a means of discovering a child's intellectual and emotional development. Chapters specifically on abuse and trauma throw light on how children develop particular responses and behaviour patterns as a result of being abused, with 'victim' and 'controlling' behaviour revealed as the most common. Therapeutic work is covered in great detail including practicalities such as the place where therapy is conducted, the equipment that is used, and the people or person most suitable for working with a particular child or children. Central to therapy is the importance of creating 'safe places' for children who are perpetually frightened of expressing themselves and how to contain 'scary feelings' within the therapy itself. There are chapters on working with children of different ages, gender, race and culture and on the need to work with the families of these children. The book ends with an evaluation of the research done around the world using methods from psychodrama and dramatherapy. Although specifically directed to professionals working in psychodrama, dramatherapy and psychotherapy, this book will also be required reading for those in other professions such as social work, child and educational psychology, teaching and play therapy.

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 1997