Specialised therapies
Drama & Theatre Therapy
What is Drama & Theatre Therapy?
- What is Drama & Theatre Therapy for?
- Expressing experience and trying out new things through role play, scene and theatre
- Is Drama & Theatre Therapy legally regulated?
- Not a separate legally regulated health profession. Not to be confused with psychodrama as a psychotherapy method. Training via institutes and professional associations.
- Does Drama & Theatre Therapy treat illnesses?
- No independent curative treatment. Used complementarily.
Drama and theatre therapy works with the means of theatre: role play, scenic presentation, improvisation and stories. In the protected “as if” situation of the stage, feelings, conflicts and new ways of behaving can be tried out without real risk.
It is used complementarily, for example with social anxiety, low self-esteem, in work with children and teenagers, and in groups.
It should be distinguished from psychodrama, which is offered as a method within legally regulated psychotherapy. You need no acting experience.
What is allowed
- Offer an experience-oriented approach through role play and scene
- Foster social skills, self-expression and self-esteem
- Try out new behaviour in a protected setting
- Work complementarily in groups, education and psychosocial work
Where are the limits?
- No diagnosis and no independent treatment of mental illness
- No substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment
- Not acting lessons; no experience needed
How to recognise quality
- Solid drama or theatre therapy training
- Membership in a professional association
- A clear goal rather than a mere theatre group
- Confidentiality
How it works
- First sessionclarify concern, set the setting
- Playrole play, improvisation and scenic work
- Reflectiondiscussing and transferring the experience
Costs & insurance
In institutions and groupsdepending on the organisation, often inexpensive
Private practiceprivate service, no insurance funding
Guide price private practiceapprox. 60 to 100 € per session