An exploration of two therapeutic approaches to dramatherapy and the use of myth enactment to mediate a change in behaviour
This dissertation aims to explore the uses of dramatherapy, and specifically examine if using mythological stories within the dramatherapeutic environment elicits a positive change regarding the behaviour of clients. The initial research will look into dramatherapy and myth separately, exploring their origins and inspecting the social conditions which continue to incorporate myth into contemporary culture, and allow dramatic techniques to exist as a form of therapy. In this dissertation, the investigation will concern two different approaches to dramatherapy, the Sesame Approach and the Gestalt psychotherapy approach. These two approaches originate from different theoretic backgrounds, which influence their individual methodologies; the Sesame Approach basing their approach on the theory of Active Imagination by Carl Jung, and the Gestalt approach utilising key aspects of phenomenology, developed by Fritz Perls; Jenny Pearson and Paul Rebillot are the two practitioners whose case studies will be explored for evidence of behavioural change in clients, with both dramatherapists using scripts of mythology. This dissertation will also comment upon aspects of Freud, specifically, his theories on the use of analysing myth as a method for psychoanalysis. This study aims to inform the reader on this exciting, evolving therapy which utilises dramatic techniques, and to explore if healing powers of theatre naturally exist.