Expanding the Frame: Self-Portrait Photography as Applied to Drama Therapy Practice

The use of photography in therapy has existed for many years and has been primarily used as an adjunct to verbal therapy or as a medium in Art Therapy. This paper explores the relationship between Drama Therapy and photographic based therapies. Different therapeutic self-portrait photography methodologies such as Photo Therapy, Therapeutic Photography, and Photodrama are examined in relation to certain principle Drama Therapy theories and methodologies. An emphasis is placed on Jones? 9 core processes of Drama Therapy, Landy?s role method and theory, and Self-Revelatory Performance methodology when analyzing the connections between disciplines. This paper will illustrate the links between self-portrait photography and dramatic methodologies in therapy, and provide the Drama Therapist with an understanding of how self-portrait photography may work in conjunction with a Drama Therapy theoretical orientation. Also, a review of the legal and ethical aspects of using self-portrait photography in Drama Therapy will be addressed, giving the reader an understanding of the potential implications and dangers of using this medium in therapy.