Skip to content
1981
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Dramatherapy
  4. Volume 45, Issue 1
  5. Article
Volume 45, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 0263-0672
  • E-ISSN: 2157-1430
file format pdf download PDF

Abstract

Investigation into the processes which are in action during dramatherapy is an emerging area of research interest. Models, such as the Meta-Processes Model of Change (MPMC) have, thus, emerged. This model proposes five meta-processes that underlie change in dramatherapy, which are said to be present across all dramatherapy approaches and are crucial to client change. Developed, initially, via a systematic review of dramatherapy, little analysis has been applied to this model since its inception. In order to understand UK dramatherapists’ perspectives on the model and to investigate its applicability to their practice, a mixed-methods study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were employed with eight UK dramatherapists, and thematic analysis was applied to the data. Afterwards, the MPMC was introduced to the same eight participants before they completed a primarily quantitative short questionnaire. The findings suggest that there is considerable convergence between the MPMC and dramatherapy methods and techniques that the participant dramatherapists employed within their clinical practice. The findings also uncovered the perceived importance of the meta-processes to a UK dramatherapy sample; (e.g. via the use dramatic distance and ritual) was deemed to be the most important meta-process by those involved. As this study had a small sample size, and as there was limited knowledge of the model prior to participants’ involvement in the study, further empirical and client-centred research on meta-processes is required.

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Intellect Ltd.
This article is Open Access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-ND), which allows users to copy, distribute and transmit the article as long as the author is attributed, the article is not used for commercial purposes, and the work is not modified or adapted in any way. To view a copy of the licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/dj_00003_1
2024-07-25
2025-06-19
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/dj/45/1/dj.45.1.25_Calzado-Gil.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1386/dj_00003_1&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Armstrong, C., Frydman, J. and Wood, S. (2019), ‘Prominent themes in drama therapy effectiveness research’, Drama Therapy Review, 5:2, pp. 173–216.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Armstrong, C., Rozenberg, M., Powell, M., Honce, J., Bronstein, L., Gingras, G. and Han, E. (2016), ‘A step toward empirical evidence: Operationalizing and uncovering drama therapy change processes’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 49, pp. 27–33, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2016.05.007.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Armstrong, C. R., Tanaka, S., Reoch, L., Bronstein, L., Honce, J., Rozenberg, M. and Powell, M. A. (2015), ‘Emotional arousal in two drama therapy core processes: Dramatic embodiment and dramatic projection’, Drama Therapy Review, 1:2, pp. 147–60.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Bowers, B., Cohen, L. W., Elliot, A. E., Grabowski, D. C., Fishman, N. W., Sharkey, S. S., Zimmerman, S., Horn, S. D. and Kemper, P. (2013), ‘Creating and supporting a mixed methods health services research team’, Health Services Research, 48:6, pp. 2157–80.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2019), ‘Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis’, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11:4, pp. 589–97.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Braun, V., Clarke, V. and Hayfield, N. (2015), ‘Thematic analysis’, in J. Smith (ed.), Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods, London: Sage, pp. 222–48.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. British Psychological Society (2009), Code of Ethics and Conduct, Leicester: British Psychological Society.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Campbell Kirk, J. (2015), ‘Dramatherapy with women survivors of domestic abuse: A small scale research study’, Dramatherapy, 37:1, pp. 28–43.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Carr, C., Feldtkeller, B., French, J., Havsteen-Franklin, D., Huet, V., Karkou, V., Priebe, S. and Sandford, S. (2021), ‘What makes us the same? What makes us different? Development of a shared model and manual of group therapy practice across art therapy, dance movement therapy and music therapy within community mental health care’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2020.101747.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Cassidy, S., Gumley, A. and Turnbull, S. (2017), ‘Safety, play, enablement, and active involvement: Themes from a grounded theory study of practitioner and client experiences of change processes in dramatherapy’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 55, pp. 174–85, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2017.05.007.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Cassidy, S., Turnbull, S. and Gumley, A. (2014), ‘Exploring core processes facilitating therapeutic change in dramatherapy: A grounded theory analysis of published case studies’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 41:4, pp. 353–65.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Cedar, L., Coleman, A., Haythorne, D., Jones, P., Mercieca, D. and Ramsden, E. (2022), ‘Child agency and therapy in primary school’, Education 3-13, 50:4, pp. 452–70.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Dokter, D. and Winn, L. (2009), ‘Evaluating dramatherapy: EBP and PBE: A research project’, Dramatherapy, 31:1, pp. 3–9.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Elliott, R., Greenberg, L. S. and Lietaer, G. (2004), ‘Research on experiential psychotherapies’, in M. J. Lambert (ed.), Bergin & Garfield‘s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change, 5th ed., New York: Wiley, pp. 493–539.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Fernández-Aguayo, S. and Pino-Juste, M. (2018), ‘Drama therapy and theater as an intervention tool: Bibliometric analysis of programs based on drama therapy and theater’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 59, pp. 83–93, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2018.04.001.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Finlay, L. (2002), ‘Negotiating the swamp: The opportunity and challenge of reflexivity in research practice’, Qualitative Research, 2:2, pp. 209–30.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Frydman, J. S., Cook, A., Armstrong, C. R., Rowe, C. and Kern, C. (2022), ‘The drama therapy core processes: A Delphi study establishing a North American perspective’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 80, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2022.101939.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Godfrey, E. and Haythorne, D. (2013), ‘Benefits of dramatherapy for autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative analysis of feedback from parents and teachers of clients attending roundabout dramatherapy sessions in schools’, Dramatherapy, 35:1, pp. 20–28.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Goldman, R. N., Greenberg, L. S. and Pos, A. E. (2005), ‘Depth of emotional experience and outcome’, Psychotherapy Research, 15:3, pp. 248–60.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Hanson, W. E., Creswell, J. W., Clark, V. L. P., Petska, K. S. and Creswell, J. D. (2005), ‘Mixed methods research designs in counseling psychology’, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52:2, pp. 224–35.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Haynes, K. (2012), Qualitative Organizational Research: Core Methods and Current Challenges, London: Sage Publications.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Hendricks, M. N. (2002), ‘Focusing-oriented/experiential psychotherapy’, in D. J. Cain (ed.), Humanistic Psychotherapies: Handbook of Research and Practice, Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, pp. 221–51.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Jaaniste, J., Linnell, S., Ollerton, R. L. and Slewa-Younan, S. (2015), ‘Drama therapy with older people with dementia: Does it improve quality of life?’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 43, pp. 40–48, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2014.12.010.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Jarman, S. (2014), ‘The effectiveness of drama therapy for children who have witnessed domestic abuse: Sara Jarman discusses how boys with similar experiences of trauma were engaged in a specific form of group therapy’, Mental Health Practice, 18:2, pp. 19–24.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Jennings, S., Cattanach, A., Mitchell, S., Chesner, A., Meldrum, B. and Nfa, S. M. (2005), The Handbook of Dramatherapy, London and New York: Taylor & Francis.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Joffe, H. and Yardley, L. (2004), ‘Content and thematic analysis’, in D. Marks and L. Yardley (eds), Research Methods for Clinical and Health Psychology, London: Sage Publications, pp. 56–68.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Jones, P. (1991), ‘Dramatherapy: Five core processes’, Dramatherapy, 14:1, pp. 8–15.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Jones, P. (1996), Drama as Therapy: Theatre as Living, London: Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Jones, P. (2007), Drama as Therapy Volume 1: Theory, Practice and Research, London: Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Jones, P. (2008), ‘Research into the core processes of drama therapy: Vignettes and conversations’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 35:4, pp. 271–79.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Jones, P. (2016), ‘How do dramatherapists understand client change? A review of the “core processes” at work’, in S. Jennings and C. Holmwood (eds), Routledge International Handbook of Dramatherapy, Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 77–91.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Jones, P., Cedar, L., Coleman, A., Haythorne, D., Mercieca, D. and Ramsden, E. (2020), Child Agency and Voice in Therapy: New Ways of Working in the Arts Therapies, Abingdon: Routledge and Taylor & Francis.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Karkou, V. and Sanderson, P. (2006), Arts Therapies: A Research-Based Map of the Field, Edinburgh: Elsevier.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Keiller, E., Murray, A., Tjasink, M., Bourne, J., Ougrin, D., Carr, C. E. and Lau, J. Y. F. (2023), ‘Children and young people’s perception of the active ingredients of dramatherapy when used as a treatment for symptoms of emotional disorders: A meta-synthesis’, Adolescent Research Review, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-023-00221-z.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Koch, S. C. (2017), ‘Arts and health: Active factors and a theory framework of embodied aesthetics’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 54, pp. 85–91, https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1016/j.aip.2017.02.002.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Mann, S. (1996), ‘Metaphor, symbol and the healing process in dramatherapy’, Dramatherapy, 18:2, pp. 2–5.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Mayor, C. and Frydman, J. S. (2021), ‘Understanding school-based drama therapy through the core processes: An analysis of intervention vignettes’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 73, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2021.101766.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Michalak, J., Klappheck, M. A. and Kosfelder, J. (2004), ‘Personal goals of psychotherapy patients: The intensity and the “why” of goal-motivated behavior and their implications for the therapeutic process’, Psychotherapy Research, 14:2, pp. 193–209.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Orkibi, H., Keisari, S., Sajnani, N. L. and Witte, M. de (2023), ‘Effectiveness of drama-based therapies on mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies’, Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, online first, https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000582.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Parsons, A., Omylinska-Thurston, J., Karkou, V., Harlow, J., Haslam, S., Hobson, J., Nair, K., Dubrow-Marshall, L., Thurston, S. and Griffin, J. (2020), ‘Arts for the blues: A new creative psychological therapy for depression’, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 48:1, pp. 5–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Pendzik, S. (2006), ‘On dramatic reality and its therapeutic function in drama therapy’, The Arts in Psychotherapy, 33:4, pp. 271–80.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Raucher, G. and Schrader, C. (2012), ‘Towards a meta psychology of ritual in dramatherapy’, in C. Schrader and J. Roose-Evans (eds), Ritual Theatre: The Power of Dramatic Ritual in Personal Development Groups and Clinical Practice, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, pp. 60–78.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Roberts, K., Dowell, A. and Nie, J.-B. (2019), ‘Attempting rigour and replicability in thematic analysis of qualitative research data: A case study of codebook development’, BMC Medical Research Methodology, 19:1, p. 66.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Veale, D. (2008), ‘Behavioural activation for depression’, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 14:1, pp. 29–36.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Wampold, B. E. (2015), ‘How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update’, World Psychiatry, 14:3, pp. 270–77.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Watson, J. C. and Bedard, D. L. (2006), ‘Clients’ emotional processing in psychotherapy: A comparison between cognitive–behavioral and process–experiential therapies’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74:1, pp. 152–59.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Witte, M. de, Orkibi, H., Zarate, R., Karkou, V., Sajnani, N., Malhotra, B., Ho, R. T. H., Kaimal, G., Baker, F. A. and Koch, S. C. (2021), ‘From therapeutic factors to mechanisms of change in the creative arts therapies: A scoping review’, Frontiers in Psychology, 12, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.678397.
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1386/dj_00003_1
Loading
A mixed-methods evaluation of the dramatherapy Meta-Processes Model of Change
Dramatherapy 45, 25 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1386/dj_00003_1
/content/journals/10.1386/dj_00003_1
/content/journals/10.1386/dj_00003_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): clinical practice; creative arts therapies; drama; theoretical model; therapist perspectives; UK

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test