Encounter with embodiment: Therapeutic use of drama in social work settings

This course gives students an opportunity to understand the therapeutic use of drama (TUD) in social work setting in both micro and macro contexts. This incorporates the philosophies and approaches of certain key psychologists, psychotherapists, and applied drama practitioners such as Humanistic Approach, Existentialism Psychotherapy, Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Developmental Transformations Drama Therapy, Sesame Drama & Movement Therapy, Psychodrama Psychotherapy, Jungian Analytical Psychology, Playback Theatre and Forum Theatre. Through lectures and experiential activities, students can have basic understanding of the concepts and theories, as well as reflections on how the approaches have worked for them and the application in social work setting. Although the course does not aim at training students to be therapists or specialists in any of the approaches, students can understand different therapeutic frames and elements so to integrate into their social work professions. It also provides students a picture for further academic development in these areas.