Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions

Drama Therapy Description

 

The Drama Therapy Program at New York University prepares students at the Master's Level for a career as a drama therapist. Drama therapy, one of several creative arts therapies, is a systematic approach of treating individuals with a wide variety of psychological, social, developmental, cultural, institutional, and educational problems. The field is predicated upon the assumption that therapeutic performance is healing in some essential ways. Drama therapy is unique among other forms of psychotherapy in that clients are encouraged to play and reflect upon fictional roles in order to better understand and accept the roles that they play in their everyday lives.

Expression

Like other expressive forms of therapy, drama therapy views the creative process as a primary means of treating disabilities and illnesses. Its techniques are as varied as those found within the art form, including the applications of play, improvisation, puppetry and mask, storytelling, role-play, psychodrama and sociodrama, and theatre performance. Drama Therapy theory is developing in several directions. The primary approach at New York University is that healing occurs as clients are able to create an effective system of integrated roles and learn to live within the many contradictions inside of and among them.

Future

Given the changing nature of the medical and mental health systems, drama therapy stands with its fellow creative arts therapies at a crucial juncture. In presenting evidence through research and clinical successes at numerous job placements, drama therapists continue to demonstrate their effectiveness in treating such populations as Vietnam veterans, sexually abused children, homeless, mentally ill, institutionalized felons, elders, substances abusers, and many others.

Dr. Robert Landy
Director, Drama Therapy Program
35 W. 4th Street, Suite 777
New York, NY 10012
Telephone: 212 998 5258

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Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions - 35 W. 4th Street, Suite 777 - New York, NY 10012 - (212) 998-5424