She rises from the flames, 

Shaking off the ashes of her past.

Her wings begin to beat,

Her voice returns,

A song of courage fills the air

and bravely she takes flight.

Away from the flames,

Towards the future,

Into the light

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Nicky Morris, 2018

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WHAT IS DRAMATHERAPY ?

 

Dramatherapy encourages individuals to express themselves without fear or shame. It is a unique form of therapy, inspired by all aspects of theatre, drama and the creative arts. It is therefore highly adaptable and can benefit a wide array of people, including children, adolescents and adults, both male and female, from different cultures and with varying degrees of emotional, mental and physical abilities.

 

Who Am I ?

 

I am Nicky Morris, an HCPC registered Dramatherapist      living in the UK and a full member of the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth)    . I have worked as a Dramatherapist, primarily in adult mental health, since graduating from Surrey University, Roehampton, in 2005. I remain passionate about my work and enjoy supporting my colleagues and providing educational workshops for students. 

 

I also love to write and I'm a published author, with two articles in BADth's Journal, which you can download for free via this website. In 2018, Routledge (Taylor & Francis) published my first book: Dramatherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: Empowering and Nurturing People through Creativity      and in 2020, Pavilion Publishing and Media published my second book: Find Your Way: A Story and Drama Resource for Mental Wellbeing in Young People    

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Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust 

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In November 2020, I was appointed Senior Mental Health Practitioner in the MHST - a Mental Health Support Team for SEN/SEMH/ Schools across Hertfordshire and West Essex: The MHST supports children and young people, parents/carers and staff, in line with the Whole School Approach. It's an early intervention service, with an MDT (multi-disciplinary team) consisting of 2 Senior Mental Health Practitioners, 4 Educational Mental Health Practitioners, an Assistant Psychologist, Clinical Lead, Team Lead, Administrator and Positive Behaviour Analyst.

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CYGNET HEALTH CARE

 

I began working for Cygnet Health Care in 2006, providing music-focused Dramatherapy sessions on a tier 4 secure ward for women diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). In 2009, I began to facilitate Dramatherapy groups  on another tier 4 secure ward for women with BPD and in a secure rehabilitation unit for women diagnosed with mood disorders, psychotic disorders and personality disorders. I later added art and writing focused Dramatherapy groups and therapeutic music sessions. In 2018, my work extended into a specialist eating disorder ward and continued across the three units until November 2020.

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SONG-WRITING WITH CLIENTS

 

Here are 3 original songs, written and recorded with several of my patients. During therapeutic music sessions, group song-writing can be a unique and uplifting experience.                     

 

BARNET, ENFIELD & HARINGEY MENTAL HEALTH NHS TRUST

 

For eight years, I worked for BEH-MHT NHS, primarily with older adults experiencing a range of both functional and organic mental health problems. Sadly, I left my post in 2013. 

 

Before training to be a Dramatherapist, I worked as a professional actress and musician, performing in small theatres across the country and in Europe.  Playing the role of Anne Frank and providing a voiceover for her in the documentary The Short Life of Anne Frank, was a highlight of this time.  Writing songs and poems, singing, playing the piano and ukulele, plus playing team sports, are the many activities I continue to enjoy.

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Contact me at niccym25@hotmail.com