My training toward becoming a marriage and family therapist (someone who specializes in helping individuals, families, and couples resolve emotional, psychological, and relational conflicts) was entirely based in the use of drama therapy methods. Therefore, I hold a unique background that allows me to effectively integrate creative techniques into my practice. Because of this unique blend of training, the therapy I provide is not only more engaging, but also deeply impactful. With my practice now strictly online, I have brought with me all the play and theory that lies at the heart of drama therapy to help adolescents, children, parents, and families resolve conflict and heal from trauma in their relationships.

When you enact another person’s role in an interaction, you understand them in a way that would not be possible through talking about their perspective or imagining it. Clients may be invited to speak as if they were another person or join the therapist in acting out scenarios that reflect their personal struggles or relationships. This can provide insights into their feelings and behaviors. Participation in role playing can also increase one’s comfort with assertive communication or capacity to embody unfamiliar or intimidating roles in relationships or at work. You might even find yourself being directed to interact with an object that you select to represent something or someone from your life, in order to better understand your relationship with it/them. Through this technique, you can learn more about yourself and can develop increased confidence.

Regardless of the reason parents seek therapy for a child, engaging in the process of working with a professional can help to restore harmony in the family by uncovering the hurts and disappointments, while learning the most effective strategies to restore harmony in the family. The journey may hold some surprises, but the outcome will be well worth it.

Building distress tolerance—the ability to tolerate uncomfortable feelings without acting on them—is essential for helping children manage anxiety. Parents are uniquely positioned to influence children, but they must first notice and tolerate their own distress in response to the child’s anxiety/compulsions.

For those seeking a deeper understanding of their emotional struggles, the combined expertise of drama therapists and the IFS model can provide a transformative therapeutic experience. Through this innovative approach, individuals can embark on a journey toward healing, empowerment, and a more integrated sense of self.