Drama therapy and Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is a major problem and a cause of great concern to parents across the world. In the U.S., 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys are sexually abused before they turn 18. Child sexual abuse does not limit itself to any particular race, creed, socioeconomic or religious group and crosses all boundaries. Extensive research on child sexual abuse indicates that the negative psychological effects resulting from the abuse often persist over time. Isolation, alienation, nightmares and age inappropriate sexual behavior are some of the short term effects whereas depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, sexual dysfunction, and substance abuse are possible long term effects of child sexual abuse and can extend into adulthood.
Drama Therapy is a creative arts therapy that is known to be effective at reducing both the long term and short term psychological effects of child abuse. It makes use of drama, story, play and movement to encourage children to gently explore difficult situations and emotional blocks in a safe and non confrontational manner.
Often children struggle to express themselves verbally. Sometimes an experience such as sexual abuse may be too painful to express in words. The gentle and non confrontational approach used in drama therapy allows children to express themselves using imagery, movement and art. This form of indirect expression lets children distance themselves from the traumatic event so as not to be overwhelmed by it. The focus on play helps the child to connect to and positively express material that they cannot express through words. The positive relationship that develops between the therapist and the child during a therapy session provides the emotional experience that is necessary for healing.
Benefits of therapy for victims of child abuse include: Increased self-esteem, improvement in interpersonal relationships, reduced frequency of nightmares, reduced symptoms of depression, improved self-soothing abilities, increased integration of thinking and feeling (victims of abuse often disassociate their thoughts from their feelings).
References:
Anderson, F. E. (1995). Catharsis and empowerment through group claywork with incest survivors. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 22, 413-427.
Brooke, S. (1997). Art therapy with sexual abuse survivors. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Johnson, D. R. (1987). The role of the creative arts therapies in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological trauma. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 14, 7-13.
Laub, D., & Podell, D. (1995). Art and trauma. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 76, 991-1005.
Drama Therapy for Children : http://cwcloud.tripod.com/
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