The Co-Active Therapeutic theatre model: A manualized approach to creating therapeutic theatre with persons in recovery

Abstract

Therapeutic theatre is the intentional use of the process and performance of a theatrical piece with specific therapeutic goals and intentions for an identified population. Study and replication of this modality may benefit from manualization. This article presents an outline of a manualized approach called The Co-Active Therapeutic theatre (CoATT) model, which has been used as a successful intervention for individuals post-intensive treatment who are working towards independent recovery from eating disorders, aphasia and substance use disorders. This preliminary instruction of CoATT emphasizes a solution-focused, manualized process to support recovery and operationalize therapeutic theatre in the service of empirical research.