The theatre stage and the sacred space: A comparison

Incorporating Nature into Therapy: A Framework for Practice

“…There is hardly any reference to the environment in which the process occurs (Pendzik, 1994). Over the last few decades, with the emergence of environmental psychology and other postmodern disciplines, more and more writers have became aware of the different influences that the environment has upon therapist-client transactions (Hall, 1976;Lecomte & Pendzik, 1996).…”

“…Many have written about the important role that ritual plays in modern therapy and about ways in which traditional ceremonies can be incorporated therein (Al-Krena, 1999;Grainer, 1995;Jennings, 1995Jennings, , 1998Jerome, 1993;Jones, 1996;West, 2000West, , 2004. Several disciplines, such as drama therapy, even relate to shamanic rituals as their precursor as they adjust the principles of performance and the concept of the sacred space into their framework (Grainger, 1995;Jennings, 1998;Jones, 1996;Pendzik, 1994). Despite the existing option of performing traditional rituals in therapy groups, it would appear that the secular, multicultural, and individualistic background which most clients come from do not necessarily include a religious, spiritual, or ritualistic basis that can provide a common ground for their conduct in therapy.…”

“…Over the last few decades, with the emergence of environmental psychology and other postmodern disciplines, more and more writers have became aware of the different influences that the environment has upon therapist-client transactions (Hall, 1976;Lecomte & Pendzik, 1996). It has become increasingly evident that the aesthetics of the surroundings affect the person's display of emotions (Maslow & Mintz, 1956) as well as an individual's social behavior (Barker, 1976;Hall, 1976;Orzek, 1987;Pendzik, 1994). Yet much of this evidence relates to indoor settings in urban environments, mainly built and controlled by human hands.…”

“…Its main function in shamanistic and traditional medicine was to create a space that was protected from the intrusion of evil forces (spirits) and to allow the performances of transformative rituals. In this respect "sacred spaces" can be addressed as healing space par excellence (Eliade, 1959;Pendzik, 1994;Turner, 1986). This example illustrates the potential that lies in the very action of choosing and maintaining the therapeutic space.…”

A Space to Speak: Therapeutic Theater to Address Gender-Based Violence

“…Pendzik, Emunah, and Johnson (2016) describe theatrical performance in two categories: therapeutic and nontherapeutic. Therapeutic theater intentionally creates performances that can narrate and validate participants’ stories (Jones, 2007; Salas, 2005; Snow et al, 2017), reveal new insights and understandings about the performer or group to others (Landy, 1997; Pendzik, 1994; Snow et al, 2017), and reveal insights to the performers about themselves (Casson, 1997; Pendzik, 1994). Nontherapeutic performance may also deliver therapeutic benefits to performers and audience, but that is not the main intention.…”