Dramatherapy experience

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‘I have been fortunate enough to have been part of the Drama Therapy Group which has been organised through First Steps.  Firstly may I say that the course was organised and delivered in a very professional manner throughout.  I felt comfortable, safe and supported and therefore fully able to take part in the activities.  It is made clear from the outset that the journey you are undertaking is a personal one but that all members are encouraged to be kind to each other.

I have had one to one psychotherapy previously which was suitable at that time however, I have never fully been able to participate in a group situation, having difficulties since I was a young child in these situations.  However, the group situation of drama therapy provided me with a useful communication tool, i.e. not only to communicate to others but also as a way of communicating from my self to my conscious self which I found considerably helpful in a very deep and meaningful way.  This interaction has helped me make behavioural changes that have been helpful in preventing and continuing dysfunctional behaviour in personal relationships that was damaging both to my physical but emotional health and was impacting on my close family and my dependency on the health services offered by my local GP.  This kind of therapy works on a very deep level and the activities are an integral part of the therapy for example I was able to experience the relief and freedom of movement when I was able to essentially sit on the floor and use paper and pencils.  This kind of movement whilst not being about physical movement helped me in terms of feeling more comfortable in moving my body which in turn led to my increased physical activity at home. 

Even though my journey was always personal to me I feel that without the input of my fellow travellers, and being guided/overseen by the conductor, that it would have been a poorer journey.

For me Drama Therapy has helped me to help myself in tackling my food addiction, it has empowered me in all areas of my life, it has encouraged me to continue to constantly change and evaluate my behaviour with regard to my eating, my life and my place in the world.  

It has been a privilege to have been part of this pioneering treatment and it has most definitely helped me.  I feel very strongly that obesity, eating disorders and body hatred are all very closely linked and that for many years I have complained bitterly to my GP that there has been no treatment available for these very complex and yet increasingly all too common problems that are having a major impact on peoples day to day lives and subsequently on the health of a nation.  It has always upset me that whilst I sympathise and empathise with drug addicts and alcoholics, that there is help available for them on the NHS but that for my ‘food addiction’ which is just as debilitating, there is no help whatsoever.  I have already availed myself of the NHS stop smoking programme which has worked very successfully in my case and would very much like to see some programmes out there for other food addicts - (I do hope that by using the label food addict I am not offending anyone) 

I am sure that the Drama Therapy offered through First Steps is a monumental and breakthrough aid in the fight against eating disorders and all the attendant misery and cost both physical and financial.’

(Anonomous, 2010)