Arts in Counseling Team
Drama Therapy
ACT Out East offers both individual and small group counseling and therapy
for children and adolescents.
Children utilize
drama instinctively, to try out new situations, explore possibilities, express emotions, and solve problems. It is a natural
developmental process. Dramatic play is the “work” of childhood, and it is the precursor to higher cognitive and
psychological functioning. However, when there are emotional, developmental, or behavioral issues at play, this natural, intrinsic
process may become stalled. Children with these issues, whether they be transient due to outside forces (i.e. divorce, death,
difficulties at school) or long term (due to a developmental or mental disability) need a structured, goal oriented approach
to help them. Drama therapy offers this structure, and is a natural, fun way for a child to work through issues and find resolution.
Drama Therapy sessions are facilitated
by NY State Licensed Creative Arts Therapists, and fees are reimbursable by most insurance companies, according to their out-of-network
plans.
Individual
Drama Therapy
Individual sessions are 45 minutes in length, and are fun, creative, and client-centered. Techniques
utilized in a session are tailored to individual needs and may include improvisation, role play, storytelling, writing, art,
and/or puppetry. The therapist is a highly active partner in this process, serving as a model, partner, and facilitator. The
therapist structures the session to engage the individual in a dynamic relationship. Goals are created for each individual
and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The first session usually consists of a parent meeting where a full history is taken
and initial goals formalized.
Group Drama Therapy
Offers therapy in small group settings, focusing on specific
skills. ACT specializes in social/relationship skill building groups for children with PDD (HFA, Asperger’s, PDD-NOS)
and ADHD.
"Drama Friends"
This program focuses on helping children to develop spontaneous,
interactive skills in a fun atmosphere. Groups are small and individualized (2-4 children, depending on needs). Instead of
teaching children rote "social scripts", we endeavor to help them to feel socially empowered. This is done by breaking
down the developmental skills needed for social/relationship success into fun, interactive drama “games”. Imaginative,
improvisational play is also part of every session, and the skills learned through the drama games are incorporated into the
play. The program is developmentally based, and each session’s skill builds on the previous session.
•Each child is assessed individually through parent report,
and therapeutic goals are individualized
•Parents
receive a weekly synopsis of group skills and exercises, and descriptions for at-home practice
•Children are grouped according to age and developmental needs.
This program runs for children aged 6 – 16 and meets weekly for 45 minutes (drama/play groups available for children
as young as 3)
