Dramatherapy - Diasporas in Dramatherapy, Oct 2024

This article describes the reflections and insights attained through the process of developing and performing autobiographical therapeutic performances (ATPs) in the diaspora, by discussing the experiences of three Spanish-speaking dramatherapists who migrated to the United States and Switzerland. The pieces were created in the context of their dramatherapy trainings: Cuban-born Idalmis García graduated from the drama therapy programme at NYU, Spaniard Ramón Guitart from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, and Mexican-born, Elke Jorzyk, trained at the Swiss Dramatherapy Institute. Their ATPs were facilitated, either in person or online, by Susana Pendzik, an Argentinian-born dramatherapist with a long history of migration. The article explores themes concerned with cultural identity, language, migration, transgenerational trauma and ancestry as they appear in the ATPs. The authors articulate the need to recreate one’s cultural heritage in the diasporic space and the importance of keeping the connection to one’s mother tongue and ancestry for emotional well-being.

This article examines the relationship between intergenerational and collective racial trauma, and the links between post-traumatic stress disorder symptomology and racial trauma. Through autoethnography, I aim to shed light on the long-lasting effects of racial trauma, which still exist in the aftermath of such tragic colonial histories. Between the personal, social and cultural experience, through the lens of trauma, I propose insight into dramatherapeutic approach and techniques that may be harmful when not handled with cultural awareness. I propose a ‘Curious-and-Non-Defensive’ approach to dramatherapeutic work, as well as providing techniques: myth, role, play and embodiment in 1:1 and group settings to aid in personal and communal healing that may counteract the imprisoning determinants of racial trauma when working with Africans and African diasporic clients. This is one of the first articles exploring this subject matter in the United Kingdom.

This article explores the preliminary findings on the professional experiences of Black Caribbean and African creative arts therapists in the United Kingdom. Although there is a growing recognition of creative arts therapies (CATs) as effective mental health interventions, there is limited research on the experiences of Black therapists in this field. Using a phenomenology as a methodology, the study aims to fill this gap by examining the lived experiences along with the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Black creative arts therapists of African and Caribbean descent. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews alongside arts-based methods with a total of eighteen participants across the different CAT disciplines, i.e. drama, dance movement, art and music therapy. Findings that emerge from the preliminary analysis cover topics such as training experiences, professional relationships and therapeutic practice. Participants consistently reported a lack of cultural competency training, frequent encounters with racism and discrimination and the critical importance of cultural understanding in building therapeutic and professional relationships. These preliminary findings highlight the need for more inclusive training programmes, enhanced institutional support, targeted professional development opportunities and the lack of robust research in the Black spaces of mental health research. Underscoring the importance of addressing systemic biases and fostering a supportive environment for minority therapists have an impact on improving therapeutic outcomes for diverse client populations.

Poverty and its multifaceted consequences, including stigmatization, prolonged periods of stress and social exclusion, negatively impact mental well-being. Due to an increasing prevalence of poverty, there is a need, aside from economic and political intervention, to develop accessible, and inclusive resources to promote and maintain mental well-being. Within this context, dramatherapy has been posited to be suited to support affected individuals. Yet little research has explored its application with people affected by poverty. Using an instrumental case study design and a qualitative descriptive approach, this study sought to provide an initial exploration of dramatherapy as a source of psychological support for people affected by poverty. The cases of two individuals, Daniel and Bianca, with experiences of poverty before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic were selected from a larger qualitative study. Their experiences of poverty are being described and their perceived barriers and facilitators of potentially participating in group dramatherapy are named. Both participants are open to engaging in group dramatherapy. They identify several facilitating aspects, yet also note barriers that could limit or prevent their participation. Predominantly, financial worries are named as potential barriers. Other concerns, such as time constraints, accessibility and physical fitness, were also identified. Overall, this case study shows the complexity of poverty and its impact on individuals’ mental well-being and mental health support. It encourages further study and may inform dramatherapy interventions targeting people affected by poverty.

‘YOUR silence violates US with violence because by nature OUR love is quiet’ is a poem that uses the archetypes of heroes and villains to explore the dichotomy of good and evil by revealing their arbitrary symbolism in the face of adversity. This poem speaks to my lived experience as a queer, Black, neurodiverse man living in the United Kingdom. These words are a distinct amalgam of British, Caribbean and African cultural identities within the diaspora.

The following presents a creative response to Taylor Ronnie George Mitchell’s poignant poem, ‘YOUR silence violates US with violence because by nature OUR love is quiet’. Through the lens of dramatherapy we explore the complex interplay of silence, love and violence, as articulated in Mitchell’s work. The ‘Creative Contributions’ section features a curated collection of graphic resonances, including original short stories, theatrical texts, poetry and visual expressions such as photographs and video clips. Each contribution serves as a unique artistic interpretation that deepens our understanding of the themes within the poem, fostering dialogue and reflection on the silent struggles and quiet resilience inherent in human relationships. This collection not only honours Mitchell’s message but also illustrates the transformative power of creativity in therapeutic contexts, inviting practitioners and participants to engage with the layered meanings of silence and love.

Review of: Therapy in Colour: Intersectional, Anti-Racist and Intercultural Approaches by Therapists of Colour, Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga, Kris Black, Eugene Ellis and Karen Carberry (eds) (2023)

London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 352 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-83997-570-7, h/bk, £40

ISBN 978-1-83997-571-4, e-book, £40