The Drama Therapy Decision Tree, Second Edition: Connecting Drama Therapy Interventions to Treatment(Theatre in Education)

A second edition of a practical guide for therapeutic decision-making.

The Drama Therapy Decision Tree unites therapy interventions with diagnostic information, individual and group processes, psychological distance, the drama therapy pie, and global outcomes. Rather than using a standardized protocol that makes the decisions for the therapist, drama therapy is based on dynamic, embodied, creative action with participants in the here and now. Conscious planning on the part of the drama therapist before the session supports spontaneity and creativity, preparing them to make good therapeutic decisions in the moment during the session.

The authors strive to provide a common language for communicating what drama therapists do and how they do it in order to demystify drama therapy for other mental health and medical professionals. Using the decision tree as a guide, early career drama therapists can move forward confidently and ground their work with participants in an integrated system.

Prologue

Acknowledgements

Section One: Foundations

1. Foundational Principles of the Therapeutic Process
2. Foundational Principles of Drama Therapy
3. Foundation of Diagnoses and Global Functioning

Section Two: The Drama Therapy Decision Tree

1. A Systematic Method of Drama Therapy Treatment Planning
2. A Systematic Method for Choosing Drama Therapy Interventions
3. A Systematic Method for Drama Therapy Treatment Evaluation

Section Three: Diversity and Ethical Considerations

1. Diversity: Cultural Competence, Adaptations and Accommodations
2. Ethics

Section Four: Integrating the Five Phases of Treatment with the Drama Therapy Pie

1. Addressing the Needs and Goals of Phase One: Schizophrenia Spectrum
2. Addressing the Needs and Goals of Phase Two: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
3. Addressing the Needs and Goals of Phase Three: Autism Spectrum Disorder
4. Addressing the Needs and Goals of Phase Four: Prolonged Grief Disorder
5. Addressing the Needs and Goals of Phase Five: Substance Use Disorder

Appendix: The Drama Therapy Decision Tree

References

Index

Paige Dickinson, Ph.D., RDT/BCT is associate professor in the Creative Arts Collegium at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. Her research focus is on pedagogy and professional development in the field of Drama Therapy. She is the recipient of the John Satterfield Outstanding Mentor Award.

Sally Bailey, MFA, MSW, RDT/BCT is professor of theatre and director of the drama therapy program at Kansas State University, USA. She is a recipient of the North American Drama Therapy Association's Gertrud Schattner Award, Teaching Excellence Award, and Service Award.