Dramatherapy and Learning Disabilities

Endorsements to be formatted in this format.'Endorser Name, their affiliation, and Book Name, if any Mandy Carr This enriching book opens with a helpful overview of the development of dramatherapy theory and practice with people with learning disabilities. It includes examples from a wide range of contexts and from individual and group work, with engaging descriptions of dramatherapy sessions which focus on the individuality of the clients themselves. It is packed with significant discussions and vivid examples for practitioners such as supporting a child with the birth of a new sibling, working systemically, addressing mental ill-health and bereavement needs. It is infused with a passion for equality of access, giving rise to genuine inclusivity for people with learning disabilities. Mandy Carr, former senior lecturer in dramatherapy, dramatherapist and clinical supervisor Dimpi Hirani The many voices in this book shed light to the depth and attention that dramatherapists afford their clients of diverse abilities and how, in return our clients offer riches back to the profession itself. It’s an effective snapshot of the life of dramatherapy with people with learning disabilities. The reader will enter the unknown, and experience the carving of an empowering story of how the exploration of the imagination and its healing powers is open and accessible to all humans. The therapeutic practises outlined here are as kaleidoscopic as our client group. Dimpi Hirani, MA, MSc., a Dramatherapist & Clinical Supervisor, qualified from Central School of Speech and Drama as a Drama & Movement Therapist in 2003. In 2004 she set up a therapy service in a special needs school in N. W London and continues to work there. She served as a co - convenor for the BADth Education Sub Committee between the years of 2005 and 2012 and wrote the Foreword for the book “Dramatherapy with Children, Young People and Schools” (2012), Routledge. Dr Emma Ramsden This timely publication is a valuable resource for a wide range of professionals, trainers and trainees working in the field of learning disabilities across the life cycle in education, heath and Third Sector settings. Accounts of dramatherapy practice include advocacy interventions with non-verbal clients and together the contributions show that the presence of client voice and agency is strong in this publication which promotes a good number of first time authors. Evaluating outcomes and the impact of dramatherapy in a specialist child service and the range of multi-disciplinary collaborations across specialist settings are strengths of this publication. A valuable contribution to the field of dramatherapy research, practice and theory. Dr Emma Ramsden is a Practitioner-researcher (dramatherapy) Tessa Watson This is a magnificent book! A welcome addition to the series, of value to practitioners, service users, carers and colleagues and a book that will become a key text for this important area of practice. We venture with the authors into the therapeutic space, reading compelling examples of Dramatherapists’ work to construct creative, safe spaces for deep therapeutic work. We share the joy and the challenges of their work and - importantly - hear service users’ voices speak powerfully. This book shows commitment to valuing and learning from difference, to empowerment and activism; it encourages reflective, creative, authentic dramatherapy and interprofessional practice. An invaluable addition to the literature that comprehensively fills the gap on our bookshelves, and that I highly recommend. Tessa Watson is a Music Therapist who works in higher education training students, and in supervisory and clinical practice. Tessa has supported people with learning disabilities to use music therapy and has worked alongside carers and colleagues from Dramatherapy and other disciplines for over 30 years.