Dramatherapist. Clowndoctor. Person. An Interwoven Process of Becoming. Reflections on parallel journeys in Dramatherapy and Clowndoctor training, with consideration to how clowning has influenced my practice as an emerging therapist.

Abstract

This a/r/tography autoethnographic study explores the unique experience of undertaking a dramatherapy training course alongside training and working as a professional clowndoctor. It will examine some of the parallels of these professions, and use art-based enquiry and reflective journalling to explore the impact and potential of this simultaneous training journey, both on the professional identity and skillset of the individual, and with regards to the sense of self and personhood of the practitioner.

Clowning in healthcare environments has grown in visibility and reputation in recent decades, but is still a relatively unknown area of the health and wellbeing professions for most. Associations with the circus clown or garish party entertainment can colour perceptions of what is a nuanced and delicate role focused on authentic connection for the purpose of emotional healing - though there is a growing evidence base to support the value and impact of such work.

Dramatherapy - offering many parallels in literature, ethos, and approach – has its own history of sitting awkwardly alongside more Westernised medical models of healing. And though an established wealth of evidence-backed theory and practice now exists, this struggle of where dramatherapy is placed within existing models remains.

This research project looks at practitioner as participant, and through the lens of a clowndoctor visit structure attempts to illuminate moments of profound personal and professional growth across the timeframe of a two year MSc Dramatherapy training programme.

Findings will be examined alongside concepts of personhood and becoming, and wider reflections are offered with regards to the potential implications or implementations of this work within dramatherapy training.