Unspoken Depths: Dramatherapy and Dementia

Abstract

In the dual role of therapist and researcher, working in an NHS Day Hospital with a small group of clients with moderate dementia, my question was simple, yet perplexing: What could I learn from the paradox between the joyful energy of my Dramatherapy group and the intense sadness and confusion that seemed to exist on the periphery? A qualitative, heuristic approach was the most appropriate in respect of ethics and practicality. By using vignettes – in which client names were changed – as opposed to detailed case studies, I required neither written nor ongoing verbal consent – though spoke informally about it with my clients and their carers throughout the process. I followed the six stages of heuristic research described by Clark Moustakas and gathered data using the tools and techniques recommended. I created a personal log book and collated my official session notes on 20 clients seen between January and October 2009. Through the analysis of data, key themes arose: Fear and Stigma, Anger, and Self-Identity. This article may be most relevant to those working creatively with this client group, who find themselves confronted by a paradox of emotions, forced to confront personal fears and limitations. Whilst the need for further research is evident, my small and subjective study meets the minimal requirements of BADth's EPB/PBE guidelines (Dokter and Winn) and could compliment larger-scale studies using both quantitative and qualitative methods.