An introduction into the world of dramatherapy, one of the 3 creative arts therapies within the 13 Allied Health Professions in Northern Ireland, & one of the 5 accredited creative arts therapies in Ireland. Through a mixture of theory, information and low-pressure practical work, we will take you on a quick journey to having a basic knowledge and understanding of this creative form of psychotherapy.
Dramatherapy has as its main focus the intentional use of healing aspects of drama and theatre as the therapeutic process.. (www.badth.org.uk)
Dramatherapy is the intentional and systematic use of drama and theatre processes to achieve healthy psychological growth and change. (www.iacat.ie)
(Registrants from UK) www.badth.org.uk
HEATHER TURKINGTON
Heather is a dramatherapist based in County Armagh in Northern Ireland, having graduated from Maynooth University in Kildare in 2018. She worked full-time as a dramatherapist in an adult male mental health residential and nursing facility until March 2022, when she took up a full time post as psychological trauma
dramatherapist in the Belfast Trust. Heather is passionate about promoting dramatherapy within the NI NHS Trusts, as well as working towards creating a
dramatherapy Masters' course in Northern Irish universities. Heather is the NI rep for dramatherapy in AHPFNI (Allied Health Professionals Federation
Northern Ireland), is a Council member of IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists), and is an Executive Committee member of BADth (British
Association of Dramatherapists). She has a specific interest in mental health and trauma and specialises in
one-to-one sessions.
NICHOLA MOONEY
Nichola gained a Masters in Dramatherapy from Maynooth University, Kildare in 2016. She now runs her own practice,which includes a consulting and working
residency and after school project in a North Dublin inner-city preschool. Nichola works in one-to-one or group Dramatherapy settings, and has a particular
interest in working with teenagers. She is an executive council member of IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Art Therapists) and holds the role of Treasurer in the organisation. Nichola also holds a degree in Applied Social Studies (2004), and an ALCM Diploma in Drama from the London College of Music. She worked for 15 years as a senior member of a Community Youth Project in Dublin, facilitating both small and large-scale projects within multidisciplinary teams. Nichola uses embodiment, projection, role (EPR) and play within the therapeutic process
