About
Meet the Therapist
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Kim L. Clark, MA, RDT
Master of Arts, Registered Drama Therapist
Her passion for theatre started as a little girl, pretending to be a pop star in an auditorium full of empty seats. It quickly grew in high school as she got involved in drama department, volunteering for multiple tech crews, auditioning for shows, running for club officer, etc. Her biggest accolade led to winning a national playwriting contest with her original one act, "The Third Wall," where it got published by Dramatics magazine and Samuel French (available for purchase).
Kim's talents earned a scholarship at Cowley College, where she completed her Associates degree, and Kansas State University, where she completed her Bachelors in technical theatre. She then pursued a Masters in drama therapy.
Further training was completed through the Village Playback Theatre for conducting Playback and The Bodhana group for therapeutic tabletop role-playing gaming.
Kim has years of experience working in special education, community behavioral health clinics, and acute behavioral health hospitals for children, adolescents, and adults.
Currently, Kim is working towards making theatre and creative arts therapies accessible in the community.
How does Drama Therapy work?
A drama therapist uses their clinical expertise to asses, collaborate with the client, identify goals/objectives, facilitate drama activities, and support integration of learning.
Activities may include drama games, improvisation, storytelling, enactment, performance, and more...
Drama therapy is the intentional use of drama/theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals
Drama therapy creates a "play space" for participants to experientially learn, experiment, and make meaning. Interventions are adaptable to any age, setting, and (dis)ability. No acting experience or skill required!
FAQs
Is it just for kids?
Drama therapy can be used with any age range, including children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.
What settings do drama therapists work in?
Mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, correctional facilities, shelters, residential facilities, adult day programs, businesses, corporations, training organizations, and more...
Why drama therapy?
Dramatic play creates a fun, low stakes, organic learning environment. It actively engages participants to practice skills and fully integrate learning before going out into the "real" world.
How long has drama therapy been around?
Ancient civilizations in multiple cultures have included an aspect of dramatic performance as a means of coping through adversity, making meaning, or achieving "catharsis." The most well known example may be ancient Greek tragedies from 6th century BCE.
"Modern" drama therapy practices became established in the early 1900s, with the NADTA being founded in 1979.
What is the NADTA?
The North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) is the organization that sets professional, educational, and competency standards for the practice of drama therapy in North America.
What is a registered drama therapist?
A registered drama therapist (RDT) has completed an accredited program that requires a post-graduate level education, clinical hours, professional experience, and is nationally registered with the NADTA.