Sian Palmer

What is Dramatherapy?

The Sesame Approach to Drama and Movement Therapy

The term ‘Sesame’ comes from the legendary password in the story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves where the words 'Open Sesame!' unlock the cave entrance and reveal the treasure inside. The Sesame Approach is a means of unlocking the hidden potential within us so that we may follow our path towards individuation.

The approach is based on theories of Carl Jung's psychology of the unconscious, Rudolph Laban's Art of Movement, Peter Slade's work in children's play and Marian Lindkvist's non-verbal language of Movement-with-touch. The core principle of the work is to stay with the inner symbol until its wisdom can be integrated and applied to making new healthy life choices.

The Sesame Approach to Drama and Movement Therapy is a safe, non-judgemental and non-confrontational approach using the mediums of drama and movement as a means of facilitating the potential for growth and healing. It is not about performing or being good at drama. It is an oblique approach - difficulties are revealed indirectly through metaphor and using an inner language that is initially non-verbal. The emphasis is less on talking and more on using the imagination and body. Dramatherapy facilitates a space for individuals to discover the ability that lies within to be creative and playful.

This symbol or image language is expressed through the use of:

• Movement,
• Drama,
• Movement-with-touch,
• Story enactment,
• Improvisation,
• And use of voice.

All of these mediums are explored in a safe and playful environment.

For further information you can access The Sesame Institute website: http://www.sesame-institute.org/

Who is Dramatherapy for?

Dramatherapists work with:

• both individuals and groups
• of all ages and
• from all cultures.

Dramatherapy is client-centred meaning the content of the dramatherapy session will be determined by the individual client or group. The Sesame approach enables the dramatherapist to work both verbally and non-verbally, therefore enabling the therapist to work with those who cannot communicate verbally as well as across languages.

Dramatherapy works with a wide range of clients facing different challenges such as:

• Emotional, social, behavioural challenges
• Mental illness
• Special needs
• Addiction
• Autistic spectrum disorders
• Dementia
• People incarcerated in prison
• Low self-esteem
• Normal neurotics in search of personal growth

Dramatherapy sessions are confidential with the focus on the needs and development of the group or the individual client.

What happens in a dramatherapy session and what are the potential benefits?

In a Sesame dramatherapy session the client can do as much or as little as s/he feels comfortable with. There are no demands made for the individual/group to perform. Some of the following therapeutic interventions may be included in a dramatherapy session:

• Storytelling and enactment
• Movement with/without music
• Improvisation
• Sound creation through the voice or musical instruments
• Reflection through drawing or verbal feedback

Dramatherapy helps people to:

• Build trusting relationships
• Explore special, social and/or relationship boundaries
• Develop/ enhance communication skills
• Develop/ enhance social-interaction skills
• Facilitate access to one’s own creativity
• Improve self-image and self-confidence
• Work with the imagination
• Explore and express various feelings
• Develop/ enhance skills for self-advocacy
• Improve focus
• Have fun and let go
• Relax

Expressive Movement:

Expressive Movement is an holistic approach to body work, inspired by Gabrielle Roth’s 5 Rhythms & Rudolf Laban, that creates the space for a healthy body and mind through creative, imaginative and playful movement.

Dance is an integral part of the human experience. We have been dancing ever since we can remember. Through movement we can feel, celebrate and connect to our essential self and to others. Modern man has lost some of this connection to the body and to dance. The movement space is one in which the individual can join the collective in coming back to the dance and move through a process of letting go, channeling the critical mind and becoming present in the moment. It is a practice of movement meditation that works towards freedom, integration and healing. And it is a great workout too!

This practice is for the young and older, men and women. You do not need to be a dancer to practice Expressive Movement.

Expressive Movement currently takes place monthly at Bikram Jozi in Illovo.

Expressive Movement Dancer says about the practice, “There are very few spaces where one can really let go, play, feel, move, create and BE without any external need to be anything else than where we find ourselves in the moment.”