Winter Semester 2022
Winter Semester 2022
The Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles
All classes are available on Zoom and some will be Zoom and in person when it is safe to do so.
Winter Semester 2022 registration link:
CORE 3 UNIT CLASSES
Principles of Drama Therapy (3 units)
Date: Saturdays January 8, 15, 22, and 29. February 5, 12, 19 and 26 and March 5
5 Applied hours (TBA) (March 5 will be substituted for January 15, if out of town)
Time: 9:30 to 2:00pm (PST)
Cost: $899
Instructor: Pam Dunne, Ph.D, RDT-BCT, NT
Participants will explore drama therapy approaches of Role Theory, Narradrama, Integrative 5 Phase, Transpersonal, Psychoanalytic and DVT as well as projective and psychodramatic techniques applied to specific populations. Through experiential exercises, participants will discover ways to creatively utilize masks, puppets, life size dolls and objects and will also participate in practicing psychodramatic techniques of role reversal, doubling, interviewing and mirroring.
Research Assessment and Treatment (3 units)
Date: Saturdays March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9 and 16.
Time: 9:30 to 2:30 (PST)
TBA Hours: 15 Applied hours Research Time
Cost: $899
Instructor: Pam Dunne, Ph.D, RDT-BCT, NT
Participants will explore current drama therapy research as well as drama therapy and creative arts assessments. By practicing the Role Playing Test, Six Piece Story Making, Tell a Story, Role Profiles, EPR, and 6 Keys Model, participants will become proficient their use of assessment to assist with diagnosis. Current research practices, both practice and evidenced based will be examined. Participants will identify an area of interest in research and develop through an idea for a pilot study or a research paper.
OTHER CLASSES
Acting for Evolution (1 unit)
Date: Beginning January 12 (for six weeks-repeatable, not for CE’s)
Time: 6 pm to 8:20 pm (PST)
Cost: $284
Instructor: Cynthia Kelvin, PsyD, RDT
Acting for Evolution is a method of acting that focuses on different stages of personal and social evolution. Participants will engage in traditional acting methods alongside applied theatre processes, in order to break through barriers to confident self-expression. This method also supports the cultivation between performers and the community by embracing the foundations of the relationship between the actor and audience in creating social change through performance.
Body Awareness and Movement in Personal Growth, Psychotherapy and Education (7 hours/CE’s)
Date: January 23rd 2022
Time: 10:30 am to 6 pm (PST)
Cost: $169
Instructor: Julia Grace Vishnepolsky, MA, LPCC, R-DMT
This course will provide theory and an active experiential approach to learn about the mind and body connection, body awareness, and observation and assessment of movement through Laban Movement method which provides a common language to observe, assess, and provide interventions and experience self- growth. The experiential exercises are linked directly to the active development of professional knowledge and skills as well as personal growth. Art, intermodal exercises and expressive arts will be used for processing.
Ecopoetry (3 hours/ CE ‘s)
Date: January 30th 2022
Time: 9:30 to 12:30 (PST)
Cost: $89
Instructor: Cynthia Kelvin, PsyD, RDT
In this workshop, participants embark on an exploration through the natural world while examining our human impact on it —using the language of Ecopoetry. Reading the works of ecopoets and engaging in mindfulness exercises, participants write from the nature we embody: we open ourselves to recognizing our own responsibility through taking on other perspectives and listening to what is needed. By doing this we may better understand how to expand our reach to anyone who will listen. In this workshop, we create poetry pieces intended for digital and traditional spaces in order to raise awareness, define action, and inspire change.
You do not need to be a seasoned poet for this workshop, just have an appreciation for poetry and in raising environmental awareness, while engaging in mindfulness and playful discovery.
Introduction to a Healing-Centered Approach to Trauma Integrating Narradrama (7 hours/CE’s)
Date: February 6th 2022
Time: 10:30 am to 6 pm (PST)
Cost: $169
Instructor: Renda Dionne Madrigal, Ph.D, RDT, NT
There is a wealth of strength and resources to be uncovered through using our imagination to explore ancient symbolic knowledge, connecting with our ancient roots. This workshop aims to shed light on trauma from an indigenous perspective to provide a framework for participants to bring forward strengths from their own wisdom, traditions and heritage to manage present day trauma and/or difficulties. It aims to move from a deficit base model of trauma informed care to an asset driven strengths model. A healing centered approach views trauma not simply as an individual isolated experience, but rather highlights the ways in which trauma and healing are experienced collectively. Application to populations such as adolescents and children and other populations will be made.
Clinical Use of Narradrama: Narradrama and Neuroscience (7 hours/CE’s)
Date: February 11th and 18th 2022
Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm (PST)
Cost: $169
Instructor: Pam Dunne, Ph.D, RDT-BCT, NT
Course will cover research on positive emotions, and the importance of social engagement from a neurological point of view. Siegel’s (2011) research of the four areas that contribute to synaptic growth (emotional arousal, repetition, novelty, and focused attention) will be explored in Narradrama research and through experiential exercises utilizing drama and the creative arts. Participants will discover through selected Narradrama interventions how Narradrama can be utilized to strengthen synaptic connections in each of the 4 areas.
Clinical Use of Narradrama: Transformational Stories (14 hours/CE’s)
Dates:
March 25 and April 1: 10 am to 12 pm (PST)
April 1: 11 am to 5 pm (PST)
April 8: 11 am to 5 pm (PST)
Cost: $338
Instructor: Pam Dunne, Ph.D, RDT-BCT, NT
Course focuses on the use of story in Narradrama in a transformational way and looks at the following categories of stories: unique outcome, identity change, healing relationship, possibility, silenced and power story. Participants explore through experiential exercises ways to expand and develop transformational stories and move from problem- saturated stories to more preferred ones through a restorying process.
Introduction to Drama Therapy for Educators, Mental Health Facilitators, and Caregivers (7 hours/CE’s)
Date: February 20th 2022
Time: 10:30 am to 6:00 pm (PST)
Cost: $169
Instructor: Alexis Maron, MA, RDT-BCT
As mental health facilitators, educators and caregivers, the more techniques and tools that we have in our toolbelt, the more we can meet the needs of the people we serve. Using techniques such as role play, improvisation, and kinetic exercises can transform a talk meeting, into one full of meaningful play. In this introduction to drama therapy, participants will learn fundamentals from a role theory perspective. In addition, participants will be introduced to a handful of drama therapy creative activities to work with clients/students, and others. We will expand on these exercises and deepen the experience as well as develop drama therapy for self-care.
Narradrama and Mindfulness (7 hours/CE’s)
Date: March 6th 2022
Time: 10:30 am to 6:00 pm (PST)
Cost: $169
Instructor: Renda Dionne Madrigal, Ph.D, RDT, NT
Participants will explore the fundamentals of mindfulness practices integrated with Narradrama through a series of exercises and applied to a variety of educational and therapeutic settings.
Drama Therapy with Addicts and Their Families (7 hours/CE’s)
Date: February 27th 2022
Time: 10:30 am to 6:00 pm (PST)
Cost: $169
Instructor: Alexis Maron, MA,RDT-BCT, RADT
Clients dealing with addiction disorders rarely go through their addiction journey truly alone. They often have friends/family members who have been a part of both their active use/behaviors and their recovery. This experiential workshop helps therapists understand the use of drama therapy tools to address the impact of addiction on clients and their core and chosen families. Using Robert Landy’s drama therapeutic Role Theory with projective techniques and embodiment, participants will explore how family “roles” can work towards recovery and reparation of relationships, as well as helping to take ownership of their part in the addiction process.
Drama Therapy with Down Syndrome ( 7hours/CE’s)
Date: March 27th 2022
Time: 10:30 am to 6:00 pm (PST)
Cost: $169
Instructor: Alexis Maron, MA,RDT-BCT, RADT
Participants will explore ways that educators and therapists can utilize drama therapy techniques like character creation, role identification, improvisation, and creative scene work with Down Syndrome as a way to promote appropriate social skills, emotional expression and boundary goal setting.