Case Cameo
‘Ed (14) carried a Diagnosis of severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and non-verbal Tourettes Syndrome. Ed lived in residential care due to confounding familial abuses, was confused, and in chaos. He was frequently violent and soon to be transferred to a secure unit. This was Ed’s position when he was referred to Dramatherapy.
Guided by the therapist, Ed set his own safe boundaries for dramatherapy. Ed felt important: they were ‘his rules’. Periodically the dramatherapist assertively reinforced Ed’s boundaries to maintain safety and Ed was guided to constructively re-channel difficult feelings when they arose. A trusting, respectful and containing therapeutic relationship soon developed.
Ed: explored his senses; used the circus arts and drum kit to channel, control and structure feelings, especially anger; used music and drawings to further express and label his feelings; explored his relationships using toys (sociograms) and dramatic role play; represented his developing personality using modeling clay and used story metaphors to work through and move on from past abuse and trauma. Integral to this process was the regular splitting between action and reflection that marked every session. This transformed Ed’s unintegrated personality as he gained thought and mastery over his actions, emotions, sensations and life. With support he assimilated this development within his care setting. Ed became much less violent. He was no angel but he was not sent away and began to move on with his life.’