Healing with Drama

Healing with Drama

Instructor: Paula Heller, MA, LPC, RDT

Event Information

• This event is will offer CEU credits totaling 1.5 hours for LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs
• If you are a Psychotherapy Saint Louis member this training is free; please be sure you are logged in when registering.

Event Description: This workshop is meant to spark creativity in counseling. We all speak of “the container” in our therapy work. Drama structure is a ready-made container that can help clients distance themselves a bit from whatever issue they are dealing with to gain clarity and understanding. Drama therapists connect the body, mind, and brain. You will learn what drama therapy is specifically, how to get further training in drama therapy if you are interested and have a chance to experience drama therapy for yourself.

This 5-minute video is Bessel Van der Kolk sharing how theatre can rewire limiting beliefs: https://youtu.be/4oSTNPot0FY

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand the principles and concepts of Drama Therapy.  
2. Participants will become familiar with the therapeutic implication of using Drama Therapy interventions.
3. Participants will be able to utilize and apply this process into their therapy work.
4. Participants will become familiar with the process of attaining a Registered Drama Therapist credential.

Instructor Bio: Paula Heller spent 27 years running a high school theatre program in St. Louis, MO.  For the past 7 years, Paula’s focus changed to therapeutic theatre, working through Stages St. Louis to bring healing through theatre workshops in various schools in and around St. Louis.  Paula also worked with various populations through various theatre organizations such as Prison Performing Arts, Queen of Peace Addiction program, The Jewish Community Center Disability theatre and Youth Theatre.  For the past three years alongside her private practice in St. Louis, she has run the Independence Center Players program which is part of the Independence Center Clubhouse. Pandemic created isolation and a feeling of disconnection, so the goal became understanding the specific feelings and narratives of people struggling with feelings of anxiety and depression As a Drama Therapist, Paula encourages people to play with their feelings, traumas, experiences and struggles.