Abstract

The following exploratory study examines how drama therapists may benefit from using their own creative tools to explore the phenomena of countertransference in clinical supervision. This paper argues for the value of using creative and experiential methods to achieve a deeper understanding of countertransferential responses. An examination of how the creative arts therapies have been utilizing their own unique tools in supervision will provide insight into how employed dramatic processes may be beneficial in the necessary exploration of countertransference. The disciplines of dance and art therapy will be highlighted as they comprise the majority of current research emphasizing the advantages of using their own methods to process countertransference. Additionally, connections will be forged between the benefits of using drama for clients in therapy to the potential benefits for therapists in examining their countertransferences. This paper will specifically look at three core dramatic processes, role play, dramatic projection and witnessing, as they contribute towards insight for clients and how they may be applied within a model of drama therapy supervision. Lastly, this paper will provide rationale for future intervention research to examine further how drama therapy techniques could be used most effectively to process and manage countertransference.