A user guide in English.

Unpopular Opinion- Drama Therapy is NOT for everyone! Let’s take a closer look.

When you should probably see someone other than a Drama Therapist:

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When you should probably see someone other than a Drama Therapist…
If you feel suicidal or are in active crisis.

I would advise you to call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room, or shelter.
If you need a shelter, you can call 211 or access 211 online to learn more.

https://amiquebec.org/women/ is a good resource if you are a woman in need of emergency shelter or services. You can also check: https://www.domesticshelters.org/help/qc/montreal

For other provinces you can check this government site:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html

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When you should probably see someone other than a Drama Therapist…
If you find yourself in need of a diagnosis, prescriptions or medications.

If you have access to extended private health insurance with your school or work they often have a preferred network, clinic or procedure for that service.

You can also call 811 in Quebec to reach someone to refer you to the following. Press ‘1’ to get info for 0-17 y/o medical care, press ‘2’ to get psychosocial advice, press ‘3’ to speak to a nurse about self-care options at home or to be referred to an appropriate health professional, service or clinic.

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Note: Some therapists may have additional trainings to be qualified to support the above scenarios.

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You should probably see someone other than a Drama Therapist…
if you want to get better at acting as that won’t be our focus.

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When to see a Drama Therapist about it…

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Things you COULD do in a Drama Therapy session:

Talk, vent, cry.
Get into your body. Get playful.
Engage in character role taking and playing.
Create stories and acting them out.
Using objects, art, text, music and embodiment (using the body)
Move around, cry, sing, talk about or share your emotions.
Engage with creative prompts which create new perspective points through which to view a story, character roles, the role of the environment, and to help locate and build on core strengths that exist within you.

You could even sit in silence for most of or an entire session.
{Drama Therapy is a unique discipline which has developed methods of working to build communication for those with issues such as selective mutism, aphasia, and/or intellectual challenges}.

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Drama Therapy can be used with individuals, dyads and in a group context. It CAN be used with people who are very young or very old and everyone in between.

Drama Therapy CAN be used to explore a range of concerns such as relational issues, personal reactions or impulses, grief, loss, change, trauma, abuse and behavioral issues.

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Drama Therapy has a history of being used in schools to help students in specific contexts (traumatic event/ grief/ behavioral issues) and also within prison settings*. It has been used with clients & patients in shelters, community centres and even various units/floors of hospitals and specialty clinics.

*Check here to learn more about the Drama Therapy Collective podcast focusing in on Drama Therapy use in prisons.