Pediatric Dramatherapy

This study considers the effectiveness of the dramatization of fairy tales in helping in the treatment of chronically ill children. The major sources of stress for chronically ill children are examined and related to situations in individual fairy tales. Based on a study of ten children, this book shows how children who may be unable to verbalize their feelings can use stories, puppets, masks and make-up to express themselves. Through detailed case studies, commentary and analysis, the author demonstrates a connection between the child’s symbolic expression and their struggle with illness. This study should be a significant resource for all those working with children facing trauma, as well as an important contribution to the emerging field of arts medicine.

Author Biography

Carol E. Bouzoukis is a child dramatherapist with over fifteen years of clinical experience. She holds a doctorate from New York University and has been a nationally registered dramatherapist since 1987. Dr Bouzoukis currently has a private practice in Wilmington, Delaware, USA where she is also the Founder and Executive Director of The Child Drama Workshops, an interactive theatre arts enrichment program. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Child Drama from the University of North Carolina and has directed extensively for professional theatre companies for young audiences. Dr Bouzoukis specializes in allowing children to express themselves through their natural ability to pretend.