Effectiveness of drama-based therapies on mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies.

Orkibi, Hod; Keisari, Shoshi; Sajnani, Nisha; Witte, Martina de

doi:10.1037/aca0000582

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 117 publications

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“…DT is a form of experiential psychotherapy that involves intentionally using drama, theater processes, and theater techniques to achieve psychological growth and change (Orkibi et al, 2023). These include techniques such as storytelling, improvisation, masks, puppetry, working with objects, and role play (Chesner, 1995).…”

Section: Tele-drama Therapy With Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Students’ Perceptions of Crisis-Mode Tele-Drama Therapy Training with Older Adults

Kronenberg,

Keisari,

Orkibi

2024

GeroPsych

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This study describes a crisis-mode field training response project for drama therapy (DT) students in Israel who delivered tele-DT sessions for community-dwelling older adults during the first lockdown. We analyzed interviews with nine students and three field training coordinators thematically to better understand their experiences. This yielded three main themes that point to three trajectories: changes in students’ perceptions of DT for older adults, changes in students’ perceptions of the use of tele-DT over the telephone for older adults, and the value of training during an emergency. Overall, this project may serve as a model for future projects in which therapeutic training frameworks are called upon to address a community’s ongoing needs in times of crisis.

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Section: Tele-drama Therapy With Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Students’ Perceptions of Crisis-Mode Tele-Drama Therapy Training with Older Adults

Kronenberg,

Keisari,

Orkibi

2024

GeroPsych

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“…Drama therapy incorporates a wide variety of drama-based interventions, such as imagination-based techniques, role-playing, improvisation, and dramatic projection (D. R. Johnson & Emunah, 2022; Orkibi et al, 2023).…”

Section: Ub In Bereavementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The literature on drama therapy and psychodrama points to several therapeutic change factors (de Witte et al, 2021; Orkibi & Keisari, 2023) and core processes (Frydman et al, 2022; Jones 2020) that characterize the dramatic work and are essential to bereavement interventions. These change factors and processes are specific to creative arts therapies and distinguish them from verbal psychotherapies since they relate to the artistic process.…”

Section: Ub In Bereavementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning reconstruction 70 years later: Processing older adults’ unfinished business in a drama therapy group.

Keisari,

Yaniv,

Gesser-Edelsburg

et al. 2023

Psychotherapy

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Unfinished business (UB), when individuals appraise their relationship with others or themselves as incomplete or unresolved, entails difficult emotions such as regret, remorse, and guilt. UB is often associated with bereavement and is considered to be a predictor of complicated grief. Here we report two case studies describing the processing of the sudden death of a significant other in the context of a randomized controlled study of 12-week drama therapy groups for older adults. The intervention followed the format of Playback Theater, an improvised form of theater based on personal stories, and a life review paradigm. A mixed-methods approach explored the course of individual therapy within the group and potential mechanisms of change. The participants completed mental health questionnaires in a pre-post-follow-up design. The qualitative data included video recordings and postintervention interviews. One participant reported a clinically significant (CS) change in depressive symptoms and psychological well-being on the post and follow-up measurement indices. The second reported a CS change in self-esteem and relationship satisfaction at the end of the intervention, but not at followup. The findings suggest that the drama therapy contributed to the resolution of UB through restorative work in the three domains defined in meaning reconstruction theory: the "event story" of the loss, the "back story" of the relationship with the deceased, and the "personal story" of self. The results point to the need for additional research on meaning reconstruction in the context of drama therapy and encourage the broader application of performative techniques to treat complicated bereavement. Clinical Impact StatementQuestion: We report the analysis of two cases to shed light on the ways in which group drama therapy can contribute to the processing of unfinished business (UB) related to the sudden death of a significant other in the distant past. Findings: Two case studies describing how potential change factors in drama therapy contributed to the resolution of UB related to sudden death, through restorative work in the three domains defined in meaning reconstruction theory. Meaning: The results encourage the broader application of drama-based techniques to treat complicated bereavement. Next Steps: The changes illustrated in the current cases argue for additional research on meaning reconstruction in drama therapy.

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“…Adding drama therapy in the multidisciplinary approach may be relevant because drama therapy offers an opportunity to connect with them in a less verbal, indirect way as an entrance to therapy. Drama therapy and psychodrama are organized health professions where credentialed professionals intentionally employ experiential drama processes and techniques to ameliorate health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship (Orkibi et al, 2023). Drama therapy is a therapeutic approach that combines elements of psychology and theater to support personal growth, emotional healing, and self-expression.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A meta-analysis of controlled studies (Orkibi et al, 2023) on drama therapy and psychodrama showed that group psychodrama and drama therapy are effective in contributing to clients' mental health with similar overall effects as shown in other psychotherapies. More specific research can be found in a pilot RCT (van den Broek et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

I'm Great! I'm no good….: A case illustration of drama therapeutic work with a male offender of domestic violence in a forensic outpatient setting

van den Broek

2024

J Clin Psychol

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Treating perpetrators of aggressive behavior, like verbal aggression, intimidation, and bullying behavior resulting in aggressive incidents with others, is difficult. This group is often diagnosed with personality disorders and when legal measures applied, they are more often treated in a forensic setting for their problems. This article presents the case of a 54‐year‐old man, diagnosed with Borderline personality disorder, narcissistic and antisocial traits, mild depressive symptoms, and loss and grief, who has voluntarily had treatment in a forensic outpatient center to reduce aggression and change destructive patterns in relationships. Hating, judging, and self‐defeating were the main reasons why the patient found himself ending up in the same situation repeatedly. The client received individual drama therapy sessions. The drama therapeutic approach included schema therapeutic elements, such as schema mode work with cards, as well as roleplay, imagery (with rescripting), improvisation, and psycho drama elements. As a result of drama therapy, the client reported less (active) aggression, less aggression in his relationships (partners/children/friends), but also an increased level of loneliness, and mild depressive symptoms. The client was more in touch with his vulnerability and was able to behave in a more adequate healthy way in relationships. Although self‐esteem was still building up, there was a decrease of aggression and less conflict‐seeking behavior as a result. Risk assessment tools (FARE‐2 & HONOS) and Schema therapy scales (YSQ and SMI) were used pre‐ and posttreatment confirming the improvements. This case promotes the use of dramatherapy in forensic outpatient care to be valuable in lowering risk recidivism and changing deeply rooted behavioral patterns.

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Effectiveness of drama-based therapies on mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies.

Cited by 14 publications

References 117 publications

Students’ Perceptions of Crisis-Mode Tele-Drama Therapy Training with Older Adults

Students’ Perceptions of Crisis-Mode Tele-Drama Therapy Training with Older Adults

Meaning reconstruction 70 years later: Processing older adults’ unfinished business in a drama therapy group.

I'm Great! I'm no good….: A case illustration of drama therapeutic work with a male offender of domestic violence in a forensic outpatient setting

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