Drama Therapy
Program Overview
Our Approach
The Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy is a Board of Behavioral Sciences-approved program taught in person. As one of the first two approved Drama Therapy graduate programs in the US, we have long been investigating the dynamic and multifaceted integration of theatre and therapy. The program integrates experiential, theoretical, and clinical courses in a curriculum designed to train students to become skillful, ethical, and culturally attuned drama therapists. Small classes within a cohort model support personal development and offer a sense of kinship and community. Central models and methods in the field of Drama Therapy (including the Integrative Five Phase Model of Drama Therapy, Developmental Transformations, and Role Method) are studied. Students are also exposed to Playback Theatre, Self-Revelatory Performance, Psychodrama, and the larger field of Creative Arts Therapy. Our courses dive into the intricacies of relevant clinical issues (such as distinguishing compulsive and constructive re-enactment, therapeutic direction of improvisational enactment, creative responses to resistance, and use and misuse of psychodramatic tools). We believe that learning should be engaging, meaningful, and fun - and we incorporate dramatic methods to enliven teaching even in our more didactic courses.
CIIS’ Drama Therapy program is approved through the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA), leading our graduates to be eligible to pursue the RDT (Registered Drama Therapist) credential.
Career Paths
Our graduates are equipped to work with groups, individuals, families, couples, and communities, as well as with all age groups (children, adolescents, adults, and seniors). Graduates of the Drama Therapy program work in:
Clinical settings:
- Working with children, adolescents, and adults
- Community mental health and psychiatric facilities
- Private practice
- Clinics offering services for PTSD, eating disorders, domestic violence, substance abuse recovery, LGBTQ youth, etc.
Non-clinical settings:
- Schools (typically through school counseling programs)
- Prisons
- Corporations (where graduates may works as consultants, for example facilitating action-oriented trainings on anti-racism), or as directors of Playback Theatre or Self-Revelatory Performances
- Higher education (as faculty)
Curriculum
During the first year, students receive a theoretical foundation in the field of drama therapy; experience in-depth action-oriented courses; practice the skills of a drama therapist through role play; and engage in 45 hours of pre-practicum field study. During the second year, students typically begin a clinical practicum while continuing to take required courses. The program concludes with an integrative seminar and capstone project, which is an opportunity to integrate accumulated learning with specific areas of personal and academic interest. Students select one of the following capstone project options:
- Self-Revelatory Performance (performed in a theater)
- A quality research or theoretical paper (designed for publication)
- Therapeutic theater performance directed by the student
- Video documentary of clinical drama therapy work that the student has facilitated over time
Personal Therapy Requirement
Students are required to complete 50 hours of personal psychotherapy with a licensed mental health professional and/or registered drama therapist.
Curriculum Highlights
PDT-5501 Drama Therapy Theory (3 units) An exploration of the theoretical foundations of drama therapy, as well as an examination of its major theorists, approaches, and core constructs such as play, role, ritual, improvisation, embodiment, projection, and aesthetic distance. Students study the interface of drama therapy with social justice work and other forms of psychotherapy, as well as variations of approaches used with diverse populations and their presenting challenges.
PDT-5602 Drama Therapy Process and Technique (3 units) An experiential course demonstrating the process and progression of a drama therapy series from the establishment of a playful, creative environment to the development of in-depth personal and interpersonal work. Students experience Renee Emunah's Integrative Five Phase Model of Drama Therapy and are introduced to self-revelatory performance.
PDT-6604 Drama Therapy and Social Change (2 units) An exploration of the transformative power of drama therapy in the social context, and of the role of the drama therapist as an agent of social change and justice. Four approaches are examined - the Acts of Reconciliation Project, Sociodrama, Theatre of the Oppressed, and World Work - with focus on how change occurs in groups, organizations, and nations.
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Sample coursework for a two-year plan (60 units total)
Semester 1 | Fall
PDT 5602 Drama Therapy Process and Technique (3 units)
PDT 5501 Drama Therapy Theory (3 units)
PDT 5614 Advanced Improv and Playback Theatre (1 unit)
MCPD 5610 Therapeutic Communication (2 unit)
MCP 5201 Human Development and the Family (3 units)
Semester 2 | Spring
PDT 5603 Drama Therapy Practice (3 units)
PDT 5605 Psychodrama (3 units)
MCPD 5604 Group Dynamics and Creative Arts Therapies (2 units)
MCP 5108 Psychopathology and Assessment (3 units)
MCP 5101 Professional Ethics & Family Law (2 units)
Trauma and Resilience: Embodied Approaches To Treatment (1 unit)
Semester 3 | Summer
PDT 5607 Special Methods: Developmental Transformations I (1 unit)
PDT 6604 Drama Therapy and Social Change (2 units)
MCP 6502 Child Therapy (2 units)
PDT 5626 Individual Drama Therapy (1 unit)
Semester 4 | Fall
MCPD 7602A Supervised Clinical Practicum: Case Seminar in Drama Therapy (2 units)
MCPD 5605 Family Dynamics and Therapy (3 units)
MCPD 5608 Psychotherapy Theories and Practices (2 units)
MCP 6401 Research Methods (3 units)
MCP 6103 Multicultural Counseling and the Family (2 units)
MCP 6101 Human Sexuality (1 unit)
Semester 5 | Spring
MCPD 7602B Supervised Clinical Practicum: Case Seminar in Drama Therapy (2 units)
MCPD 6605 Advanced Family & Couples Therapy: Action-Oriented Approaches (2 units)
MCP 6102 Assessment and Treatment of Addiction Disorders (1 unit)
MCP 6233 Intro to Community Mental Health & the Recovery Model (2 units)
PDT 5609 Special Methods: Narradrama (1 unit)
PDT 5628 Advanced Integrative Five Phase Model (1 unit)
PDT 7700 Integrative Seminar: Final Project (4 units)
Semester 6 | Summer
MCPD 7602C Supervised Clinical Practicum: Case Seminar in Drama Therapy (2 units)
PDT 6607 Special Methods: Advanced Developmental Transformations II (1 unit)
Entry Requirements
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Online Admissions Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online application and paying the non-refundable $65 application fee.
Degree Requirement: An undergraduate degree (B.A., B.S., or B.F.A.) from an accredited college or university.
Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.0 or higher in previous coursework is typically required. A GPA below 3.0 does not automatically disqualify an applicant. CIIS will consider a prospective student whose GPA is between 2.5 and 3.0. These individuals are required to submit a GPA Statement and are encouraged to contact our Admissions Team to discuss their options.
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended where 7 or more credits have been earned. If transcripts are being mailed to CIIS, they must arrive in their official, sealed envelopes. Transcripts from institutions outside the US or Canada require a foreign credit evaluation through World Education Services (WES); CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course format from the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Autobiographical Statement: A four to six-page introspective essay in which you reflect on significant childhood and adult life experiences that have impacted your personal and psychological development.
Goal Statement: A one-page statement of your professional interests, goals, or passions.
Two Letters of Recommendation: From academic advisors, professors or professional supervisors. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information: name, email, phone number, and mailing address.
Background Outline: A one-page outline specifically listing your background/experience (if any) in: (1) theatre/drama (2) psychology (3) human services/counseling work, and (4) creative arts therapy. If you hold a degree in any of these areas, you can simply indicate that (for example, BFA in Theatre). For all other areas, list any courses, internships, or work experience pertinent to that category (or indicate "none").
Interview: Individual and group interviews by invitation from the program.
Candidate Selection
CIIS' Drama Therapy program attracts creative, motivated, and mature students who have already demonstrated a strong interest in the integration of theatre and therapy. Integrity, introspection, and dedication are essential attributes. Our students come to the program from around the world. Applicants must have a background in drama/theatre. A minimum of two undergraduate psychology courses, and volunteer or paid work experience in human services are strongly recommended.
Our program encourages and embraces diversity and places a high value on having students from a variety of racial and cultural backgrounds; other representations of diversity (including age range and nationality) are also important to us. We look at each applicant holistically. If you feel passionate about this field, we welcome your application.
FAQs
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Drama therapy is the systematic and intentional use of drama and theatre processes to promote emotional growth and psychological integration.
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In Self-Revelatory performance, a performer crafts an original theatre piece that grapples with a current life challenge or theme, with the aim of gaining deeper understanding, wider perspective, personal healing, or some kind of transformation. The performer uses drama therapy methods in the process and within the performance piece. A majority of students choose the Self-Revelatory Performance option. Self-Revelatory Performances in our program tend to be psychologically astute, moving, aesthetic, authentic, and inspiring. They reflect students' skills in drama therapy; integration of academic and experiential learning; and the personal growth, perspective, self-awareness and multicultural awareness they acquired throughout their training in the program.
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Theatre for Change is a project of the CIIS Drama Therapy program. The aim of the project is to educate and raise consciousness about issues pertaining to social justice; to give voice and representation to people of color and LGBTQ people; to invite dialogue about oppression, privilege, in/equality, and alliance; and to encourage our audiences to fight injustice on personal, institutional, and societal levels.
Theatre for Change performance pieces grow out of improvisation; methods of drama therapy, Self-Revelatory Performance, Educational Theatre, and Theatre of the Oppressed; listening to stories within the group and at the Institute; and a lot of dialogue. Each original theatre piece is collectively developed by the troupe and director/s. Theatre for Change productions have also been performed at many North American Drama Therapy Association conferences. In 2012, the NADTA honored Theatre for Change with the Raymond Jacobs Memorial Diversity Award in recognition of outstanding dedication to diversity in the field of drama therapy.
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The professional practice of counseling is a regulated occupation in the state of California. Coursework in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program at CIIS and each of its five programs is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to fulfill educational requirements toward the marriage and family therapist license (LMFT). Students also have the option to take additional coursework to fulfill the educational requirements of the professional clinical counselor license (LPCC). Students seeking licensure in California as an LMFT or LPCC must register with the BBS after graduation and successfully complete additional post-graduate supervised clinical associate hours and written examinations. See the BBS’ Statutes and Regulations PDF for additional information.
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Our coursework and training is very similar or entirely portable to many states. However, each state has their own specific licensure requirements that include both academic coursework and clinical practicum hours that may differ from California’s requirements. Additional coursework or practicum hours may be required in other states, or the student can opt to pursue the LPCC, which is nationwide. You will have the full support of the Director of the Masters in Counseling Psychology Department, who will help you understand specific licensing requirements. We recommend too that you consult the licensing boards of the states you are interested in (outside of California) for the most up-to-date licensing information.
Our Department in Action
A Free Online Event with Kelson Pamarang and Nikole Moffett
A Free Online Info Session with Renee Emunah and Pella Weisman
An Online Event with Kelson Pamarang and Valentina Salazar
Take the Next Step
For over 50 years, CIIS has been at the forefront of education that integrates rigorous science, innovative scholarship, and social justice. You will learn from faculty at the forefront of their fields, local artists and activists, and a community of peers as passionate and dedicated as you. There’s never been a better time to be here – let’s build a healthier and more equitable world.