Co-Active Therapeutic Theatre (Co-ATT) for Dual-Diagnosis Patients

Description

Drama Therapy involves of the use of theatrical techniques (such as script development, acting exercises, improvisation, etc.) to help treat patients’ mental illness and improve their functioning and overall sense of wellbeing.

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a specific version of drama therapy for the treatment of patients suffering from both mental illness (such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.) and one or more substance use disorders. The study will also assess participants feelings and thoughts about the drama therapy intervention (such as whether or not they enjoyed it and if/how they found it helpful).

The drama therapy intervention will consist of one group drama therapy session per week, for a total of twelve weeks (i.e., total twelve sessions) followed by a single performance (with composition of the audience determined by unanimous agreement of the participants) of the dramatic work (script) produced by the participants during the course of the drama therapy intervention.