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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 ?

 

Nicky Morris - HCPC registered Dramatherapist, living in the UK and a full member of BADth (British Association of Dramatherapists). I qualified in 2005, graduating from Surrey University, Roehampton, in 2005. I have worked extensively in mental health settings and more recently in schools. I remain passionate about my work.

 

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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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, and team sports, are the many activities I continue to enjoy.

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For more information, please contact me: niccym25@hotmail.com

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Current work

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Purcell School for Young Musicians:

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Resident Counsellor and Arts Therapist 

 

Freelance Dramatherapist:

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Clinical Supervision/Consultancy

Sunflower Federation:

2 Specialist Schools for Children with Complex Needs.

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Past Experience

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HCT NHS TRUST

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2020 to 2021 - Senior Mental Health Practitioner and Dramatherapist, in a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) for SEN, SEMH and SLD Schools - supporting children and young people, parents/carers and staff, in line with the Whole School Approach. I created new resources for the team, including groups for young people, in which CBT concepts were intertwined with creative strategies. I facilitated groups, workshops and 1:1 therapy. I also provided clinical supervision.

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CYGNET HEALTH CARE

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2006 to 2020 - Dramatherapist across several wards and units, providing 1:1 therapy and groups: Dramatherapy, Therapeutic Music and Expressive Art and Writing groups. I was based on a tier 4 secure ward for women diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), a secure rehabilitation unit for women diagnosed with mood disorders, psychotic disorders and personality disorders and a specialist eating disorder ward.

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BARNET, ENFIELD & HARINGEY MENTAL HEALTH NHS TRUST

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2005 to 2013 - Dramatherapist and Key Worker. 1 year in adult service, followed by 7 years in older adult Service, providing 1:1 therapy, music and dramatherapy groups to clients experiencing a range of both functional and organic mental health problems. 

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Songwriting

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Another passion of mine is songwriting, which I also use in my work. Here are 3 original songs, written and recorded with several of my patients. During therapeutic music sessions, group songwriting can be a unique and uplifting experience.