Research into the core processes of drama therapy: Vignettes and conversations

Abstract

This article describes research undertaken to examine drama therapists’ use of the concept of “core processes” [Jones, P. (1996). Drama as therapy: Theatre as living. London, England: Routledge] to analyse change within their clinical practice. The research was based in qualitative, narrative approaches to in-depth analysis of vignettes provided by drama therapists. The method involved the use of the Internet through aMSN messenger. The article defines the research vignette, the processes used to analyse vignettes and the use of aMSN messenger, placing the research project as a whole, and each of these elements within a context of research literature. It present samples from the findings and reviews the use of vignettes and research conversation. The results show how the research approach identified how the core processes were seen by therapists in their understanding of change within their work. It reveals discoveries made by the drama therapists about the core processes of embodiment, role, distancing and witnessing through their vignettes and analysis of change within their practice.