Abstract
This research aimed to gain insight into how clients experience the use of drama techniques in their therapy. Six in-depth interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis for re-current themes which represent clients’ collective experience. Findings suggest that the use of drama techniques in therapy can be met with resistance from clients and a variety of difficulties may occur. However, once these difficulties were overcome, participants experienced role-playing as something very powerful which had significant effects in their view of themselves, their interpersonal relationships, as well as the relationship with their therapist. The aim of this study was also to explore therapists’ experience of using drama techniques in therapy with a specific focus on any possible emerging difficulties. Six in-depth interviews were analysed using a qualitative template analysis approach. Findings suggest that therapists came across two main difficulties: client resistance and feeling overwhelmed. Participants referred to client related and therapist related factors that contribute to difficulties and suggested various ways o f dealing with those difficulties. They proposed that drama techniques have a strong therapeutic effect once difficulties have been resolved. All participants identified the therapeutic relationship as the main factor that influences the use of drama techniques.