Drama Therapy & Expressive Acting Diploma
Mental Health and Expressive Arts / Drama Therapy and Psychodrama — Novera International University
1. Program Overview:
A specialized professional and applied program extending over 3 months (80 hours of approved study load), based on the use of drama, acting, and psychodrama techniques as effective therapeutic and psychological media, at a rate of 25% theoretical + 75% application and workshops. The program aims to train participants to explore the emotional language of the body, use characters and masks as a psychological safe distance, master Role Reversal techniques, transform personal stories into live theatrical scenes, apply Scene Rescripting, in addition to behavioral rehearsal and safe de-roling and grounding protocols.
2. Key Objectives:
- Understanding the foundations of drama therapy and body language: comprehending the theoretical and applied concepts of drama therapy and reading bodily and emotional expressions.
- Employing masks and safe distance: using mask and dramatic-character techniques as a projective and exploratory tool to protect the client and facilitate the expression of hidden emotions.
- Mastering psychodrama and inner-theater techniques: applying Role Reversal skills, identifying points of stagnation and psychological pressure (Freeze), and rescripting traumatic or painful scenes (Scene Rescripting).
- Managing therapeutic sessions and behavioral rehearsal: designing and implementing integrated drama-therapy sessions, applying future-oriented Behavioral Rehearsal, and strictly adhering to De-roling & Grounding protocols.
3. Target Audience:
- Psychologists, social counselors, and psychotherapists.
- Practitioners and therapists in expressive arts and drama (Drama Therapists).
- Actors, directors, and facilitators of interactive and educational theater interested in the psychological and social dimension.
- Graduates and students of Psychology, Performing Arts, Psychological Counseling, and Social Work.
4. Study Plan and Modules (8 Modules — 16 Interactive Lectures):
|
Module |
Topics and Training Units |
Number of Lectures |
Total Hours |
|
Module 1 |
Introduction to drama therapy and the language of the emotional body |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Module 2 |
The character as a safe distance and exploration of external and internal masks |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Module 3 |
Psychodrama and Role Reversal techniques |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Module 4 |
From story to theater and identifying pressure points (Freeze) |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Module 5 |
Scene Rescripting and exploration of the inner theater |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Module 6 |
Preparing for the future and Behavioral Rehearsal |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Module 7 |
Designing the professional session and De-roling & Grounding protocols |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Module 8 |
Therapeutic Drama Lab and presentation of the graduation project |
2 |
4 hours |
|
Total |
8 Integrated Training and Applied Modules |
16 Lectures |
32 Training Hours |
5. Organizational Structure and Assessment System:
- Duration and sessions: 3 months (evening period), at a rate of two lectures per week, two hours per lecture = 16 lectures / 32 interactive training hours.
- Delivery method and language of study: Arabic | blended remote online training (25% theoretical + 75% application and workshops).
- Distribution of credit hours (80 total hours):
· 32 hours: live and recorded lectures (4 hours per week × 8 weeks).
· 8 hours: scientific readings and references (principles of drama therapy and psychodrama).
· 25 hours: applications and practical workshops (body language, inner theater, and role reversal).
· 15 hours: Expressive Acting Lab, final graduation project, and examination review.
- Attendance and assessment requirements: attendance of no less than 75% of lectures and workshops, and completion of assignments and continuous practical applications.
- Certificate and final project: the trainee is awarded the Drama Therapy & Expressive Acting Diploma after passing the online examination (25 multiple-choice questions) and presenting and discussing the graduation project: designing an integrated session within the Therapeutic Drama Lab.
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