Online Dramatherapy: How Creative Therapy is Thriving in the Digital Age
- Raquel Bent
- Sep 21
- 2 min read
My journey into online dramatherapy began during the pandemic. At first, I found myself as a Drama Teacher, adapting drama and theatre lessons for secondary school pupils in a virtual classroom. At the same time, as a newly qualified Dramatherapist, I began working freelance with vulnerable young people who couldn’t attend school, and whose struggles with mental health were more present than ever.
To my surprise, the results were more than encouraging. Young people responded with enthusiasm, depth, and creativity. They engaged in role-play, storytelling, visual arts, and even movement, all from the safety of their own homes. The flexibility of the online space gave them room to explore emotions in powerful, meaningful ways.
From there, my path shifted fully into therapy. I had the chance to deliver online dramatherapy more regularly, watching those services expand from a temporary solution into a fully developed platform for children, young people, and adults. What started as an interim measure became something transformative.
Why Online Dramatherapy Works
Online Dramatherapy has opened doors for clients who might never have sought help otherwise. For some, simply turning on a camera is a huge act of courage. For others, it’s a relief not to manage travel, waiting rooms, or social anxiety. Either way, clients often tell me how empowering it feels to be seen, heard, and creatively engaged from the comfort of their own space.
Children and young people adapt especially well. Their natural imagination flourishes online; they bring toys, drawings, begin to build, and act out scenes virtually. Adults, too, find that the creative process helps unlock feelings and thoughts that words alone cannot always reach.
The beauty of online therapy lies in its flexibility. It truly meets people where they are, both physically and emotionally.
Dramatherapy: In-Person and Online
Of course, in-person therapy will always matter. Nothing can replace the warmth of sharing a physical space or the grounding presence of another human being. But we’re now in a new era. Therapy must evolve to meet the realities of the modern world.
Online therapy isn’t “second best.” It’s simply a different path, one that is adaptable, creative, and deeply human. For many of my clients, it has been life-changing. And among creative modalities, dramatherapy stands out. Its multifaceted nature, combined with endless virtual tools, makes it especially powerful online.
Why Dramatherapy Leads the Way in Online Creative Therapy
Not all therapeutic approaches translate equally well to the virtual space. Dramatherapy, however, thrives there. These are the reasons why:
Interactive, embodied, and personal, even through a screen
Works with imagination, storytelling, and metaphor (no props required)
Inclusive of non-verbal clients, using avatars, drawing tools, music, play, objects, emojis, and more
Builds emotional containment, safety through role-play and symbolic distance
Fosters authentic connection in both individual and group sessions
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