Dramatherapy as Healing: A Review of Sue Jennings
This paper reviews Sue Jennings' 1998 book Introduction to Dramatherapy: Theatre and Healing: Ariadne's Ball of Thread, assessing its value as an introductory text for both general readers and counseling professionals. The review covers Jennings' core arguments: that drama has been undervalued in public life, that dramatherapy should remain rooted in theater art rather than clinical psychotherapy, and that symbolic role-playing can heal psychological problems, shift social prejudices, and empower individuals. The paper also evaluates Jennings' use of Jungian symbolism, her optimistic methodology, and her practical examples for implementing dramatherapy in everyday life.
- Overview of Jennings' Introduction to Dramatherapy: Book's scope, audience, and theoretical foundations
- Drama in Global and Social Context: Drama's decline in schools and cultural identity
- Role-Playing, Healing, and Social Transformation: How role-play heals individuals and shifts social norms
- Symbolism, Metaphor, and the Theater of Life: Symbols, myths, and theater as mirrors of life
- Breaking Patterns Through Dramatherapy: Stopping behavioral reruns and compulsive patterns
- Final Assessment of the Book: Overall verdict and recommendation for readers
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- The review maintains a clear evaluative stance throughout, consistently returning to the question of whether the book delivers on its promise as an introductory text.
- It accurately summarizes each chapter's contribution while weaving in light critical commentary, giving the reader both content coverage and evaluative judgment.
- The paper's tone is appropriately balanced — it praises Jennings' optimism and accessibility while noting her deliberate avoidance of strong claims about serious psychiatric disorders.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective chapter-by-chapter summary integrated with evaluation, a core skill in book reviewing. Rather than simply listing contents, the writer links Jennings' specific arguments (e.g., minimizing clinical applications, using drama to disrupt social stereotypes) to an overarching judgment about the book's utility and audience appeal.
Structure breakdown
The review opens with a thesis-driven introduction that positions the book for its audience and previews the overall verdict. It then moves through the book's key arguments thematically — drama's social role, healing through role-play, symbolism, and behavioral pattern-breaking — before closing with a recommendation. The structure mirrors the book's own progression while grouping related ideas for analytical clarity.
Overview of Jennings' Introduction to Dramatherapy
Sue Jennings explores the potential and practicality of dramatherapy in her 1998 British publication, Introduction to Dramatherapy: Theatre and Healing: Ariadne's Ball of Thread. Directed at a general audience as well as counseling professionals, Jennings' book covers a range of theories that support dramatherapy. She draws heavily from Jungian psychology and its use of symbolism as a guiding force in human consciousness. Jennings also addresses the sociological function of drama in general, noting the way drama is commonly used versus the way it can be used more effectively. The author illustrates the methodology of dramatherapy as a healing tool throughout. Jennings' approach is constructive and optimistic; she believes that dramatherapy can be used to heal a wide variety of psychological problems, including addiction, but steers clear of making blanket assertions about serious psychiatric disorders. Therefore, Introduction to Dramatherapy lives up to its title as a clear, focused introductory text.
Works Cited
Jennings, Sue. Introduction to Dramatherapy: Theatre and Healing: Ariadne's Ball of Thread. Jessica Kingsley, 1998.
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.