As a dramatherapist, I have read a lot about trauma, about child development, about creative approaches to therapy. I have read lots of Shakespeare and lots of fairytales and lots of myths. But there is one area, which I know is important, but an area where my familiarity has been lacking. I’ve been getting by on basic knowledge and broad
This years dramatherapy conference keynote speech was from a group of 7 dramatherapists representing different generations and approaches. Dr. Bruce Howard Bayley and Mary Smail began by wondering what note it would be and which key it would be in. What does an alder tree have to do with trauma? How can resilience be put into words? How can seven
In September I will be starting a new school-based project. This week I have been reading “Empowering Children through Art and Expression: culturally sensitive ways of healing Trauma and Grief” by Bruce St Thomas and Paul Johnson. This book is easy to read but offers some really insightful ways that the two authors have supported traumatised and bereaved children including
In Greek mythology, there is a story about Echo and Narcissus. Echo had the prior misfortune to be caught in the cross fire between cheating Zeus and his jealous wife Hera. Hera responds by taking away Echo’s ability to speak, now she can only repeat the last thing someone else says. Meanwhile Narcissus angers Aphrodite because he is vain and
Rapunzel’s tower is a place of safety and refuge from a cruel world. Rapunzel’s tower is an isolated prison. What is your tower? Are you ready to let down your hair?
Innovative Therapeutic Life Story Work I have just finished reading Innovative Therapeutic Life Story Work edited by Richard Rose (Rose, 2017), a detailed and inspiring book focused on the importance for looked after and adopted children in knowing their own stories. I was particularly inspired by part 1 where Rose set’s out his approach including games, wall paper, art materials