Intersecting modes of aesthetic distance and mimetic induction in therapeutic process: Examining a drama-based treatment for military-related traumatic stress

Abstract

Can Shakespeare be a treatment for posttraumatic stress in military veterans? This is the question that our research team has been examining through the empirical investigation of the DE-CRUIT program. DE-CRUIT uses Shakespeare’s verse to help veterans with the articulation, sharing and processing of trauma. In this article, we focus specifically on the therapeutic process of the program that involves various modes of aesthetic distance in combination with mimetic induction, a treatment technique in which fictionalized narrative reflects the real-life experience of trauma. After describing that process, we illustrate these various intersecting therapeutic components through the case of ‘D.’, a military veteran who took part in DE-CRUIT after many years of living with a secret, non-disclosed trauma.

The theatre as therapy for military veterans? Exploring the mechanisms which impact psychosocial well-being and social connections during theatre-based programmes

“…Similar to the findings of other programmes, the retelling of personal stories became a prominent and important aspect to the process of recovery and a key motivation to be involved in the programmes (Ali et al, 2018;Belliveau et al, 2019). The participants described the cathartic experience of storytelling through the theatre productions, and the way in which this story telling developed their confidence.…”

“…There are arts-based theatre programmes for members of the armed forces community across Canada, the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). Most of these programmes aim to act as trauma therapy, particularly for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ali & Wolfert, 2016;Ali, Wolfert, Lam, & Rahman, 2018;Belliveau, 2017;Belliveau, Cook, McLean, & Lea, 2019;Belliveau & Nichols, 2017;O'Connor, 2017).…”

“…This, according to James and Johnson (1996), creates empathy through group sharing and is a form of drama therapy. Interestingly, the predominance of monologues focused on pre-military traumatic experiences, although each participant had experienced 'life and death' traumatic events in combat situations (Ali et al, 2018). DE-CRUIT, a theatre and performing arts organisation designed for the improvement of mental wellbeing in U.S. military veterans, used Shakespearian monologues to bring attention to the participants' own traumatic events (Ali & Wolfert, 2016;Ali et al, 2018).…”

“…Interestingly, the predominance of monologues focused on pre-military traumatic experiences, although each participant had experienced 'life and death' traumatic events in combat situations (Ali et al, 2018). DE-CRUIT, a theatre and performing arts organisation designed for the improvement of mental wellbeing in U.S. military veterans, used Shakespearian monologues to bring attention to the participants' own traumatic events (Ali & Wolfert, 2016;Ali et al, 2018). After analysing Shakespeare's own use of combat or military related trauma, the participant would then construct a unique monologue based on a personal traumatic event.…”

autobiographical dramatic theatrical performance as a therapeutic intervention

“…Among other things, the play was chosen because it "touches profoundly on themes around displacement and hierarchy (p. 289). Ali et al (2018) reports on the performance of Shakespeare's monologues to treat military veterans suffering from traumatic stress. According to them, many Shakespearean characters are war veterans or related to military veterans and their monologues represent the suffering of veterans "by an elevated language that serves to both capture and honour that suffering" (p. 156).…”