The stories we tell matter.
I am often tasked with explaining to prospective clients what drama therapy is. It can be frustrating in part because I see so many aspects of drama therapy already reflected throughout popular culture. You likely already know what drama therapy… Read moreDrama Therapy in Popular Culture
Starting July 16, 2022, individuals experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis (including suicidality) in the USA will be able to dial 988 to speak with a crisis counselor and be connected to local resources for additional support. Why… Read morePutting 988 into Context: Crisis Intervention in the USA
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to what what has been called “the Great Resignation,” as well as a series of worker strikes. More individuals are turning to the gig economy and/or self-employment to mitigate risk while supporting their families and… Read moreCost of Doing Business: Why Small Business Prices are Higher
A recent conversation with a colleague reminded me that not everyone is familiar with spoon theory, or the concept of being low on, or “out of spoons.” This is a phrase common within the disability community, but may be unfamiliar… Read moreWhat Your Friend Means When They are “Out of Spoons.”
I am a neurodiversity-affirming provider. But what does that mean? History of Terminology The term “neurodiversity” was coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in the late 1990’s. Similar to how the term “biodiversity” refers to the natural variety within Earth’s ecosystem, the… Read moreWhat is Neurodiversity?
Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic is HARD. Many of us have been engaging in varying forms of quarantine, isolation, and social distancing for 18 months. Over the spring and summer, the roll out of the vaccine brought some hope. Just… Read moreCOVID-19 and Burnout: We Were Not Made for This
A lot of LGBTQ / LGBTQIA individuals I know are skeptical of the mental health field. And with good reason! Even though I am a drama therapist, I would never judge someone for not feeling comfortable seeking therapy. But why… Read moreWhy is finding LGBTQ affirming therapy hard?
A question that comes up time and again is, “What differentiates drama therapy from psychotherapy?” As someone with a background and training in theatre, drama, and performance studies, this question is a frequent source of confusion and frustration. Because the… Read moreDrama Therapy and its Roots in Theatrical Techniques
I am someone who has dedicated my life’s work and study to the Arts and Humanities. It is why I ultimately decided to pursue drama therapy. I know that in the US especially, I am fighting an uphill battle. But… Read moreTheoretical Foundations of Drama Therapy: Thinking Outside the Binary
There is a common, popular narrative in mental health. That mental illness is caused by faulty brain chemicals. People with depression have brains that cannot produce enough serotonin. Those with ADHD lack dopamine. This narrative attempts to reduce cultural stigma… Read moreYour brain isn’t broken: Mental health in late capitalism