From 2026, Catherine Wheels will offer Dramatherapy to schools in East Lothian. This includes working one-to-one with individual pupils alongside offering therapeutic storytelling for small groups.
Dramatherapy is a creative form of therapy that helps children and young people express themselves, explore their emotions, and develop coping strategies. Using activities such as role-playing, storytelling, improvisation, and movement, drama therapy encourages pupils to communicate their feelings and experiences in a safe, supportive space. This approach can be especially helpful for children and young people who find it hard to express their thoughts verbally.
Dramatherapists work with a diverse range of children who have emotional, social, and behavioural issues, as well as those with Additional Support Needs. They work with groups or individuals and may also provide additional support to education staff and children's families.
Key Benefits for Children
- Emotional Expression: Gives a voice to those struggling to articulate feelings.
- Social & Behavioural Skills: Develops empathy, cooperation, and better ways to manage challenging behaviour
- Confidence & Self-Esteem: Helps children feel in control and valued
- Supports children who have lived through trauma or who are overwhelmed by anger or anxiety
- Develops artistic and creative skills
- Increase ability to work with the imagination
- Improve opportunities and skills for self-advocacy
You do not need any skills or experience in acting, theatre, or the arts to take part in dramatherapy.
Our Dramatherapy programme will be led by our Artistic Director, Gill Robertson, who graduated with an MSc in Dramatherapy in 2024.
Children and young people have always played a central role in my professional journey. Whether I am creating theatre, leading participatory projects, or working therapeutically, I aim to make experiences that celebrate children's individuality, nurture their creativity, and respect the complexities of their lives.
What children have said
It’s the only place where I can really be myself
It's really fun, I enjoy it
It's where you can let your feelings out and share your worries
It helps me feel calm
It’s a place where I am free to do whatever I want!