Therapeutic methods for helping individuals navigate mental health challenges are constantly evolving. One innovative approach is integrating acting classes into the therapeutic process. Acting can serve as a powerful tool for self-expression, emotional exploration, and healing, particularly for those who struggle to express their feelings or are coping with deep trauma such as sexual assault. In my work as a counsellor, I’ve witnessed first-hand the benefits of acting techniques in therapy, where clients discover new ways to connect with their emotions, improve communication, and foster empathy—both for themselves and others.
Acting invites participants to explore different aspects of themselves, stepping into characters and scenarios that demand emotional depth, vulnerability, and self-reflection. For many, the concept of 'acting' might seem distant from therapeutic settings. But in reality, performance techniques have long been associated with positive mental health outcomes. Drama therapy, for instance, is a well-established modality that blends theatrical exercises with psychotherapy principles to promote psychological healing. Research has shown that drama therapy helps with anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery by providing clients a safe space to "act out" feelings they struggle to verbalise.
1. Increased Emotional Expression
Acting encourages individuals to explore and express emotions in a safe, controlled environment. For those who find it difficult to show vulnerability or identify their emotions, acting techniques offer an outlet. In theatre, participants often play roles that require intense emotional expression—anger, sadness, joy, frustration—allowing them to practice feeling and releasing these emotions.
This can be particularly transformative for individuals who have suppressed their feelings due to trauma. For example, someone dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault may experience emotional numbness or dissociation. Acting allows them to safely reconnect with their emotions through role-playing. They are able to step into a character’s shoes and process feelings in a way that feels less overwhelming than discussing their trauma directly.
2. Exploring Empathy
Empathy is a cornerstone of both acting and healthy relationships. In acting classes, participants must imagine what a character is thinking, feeling, and experiencing. This deep exploration of another’s perspective helps cultivate empathy—a critical skill that strengthens connections with others and fosters self-compassion.
For individuals struggling with interpersonal relationships, especially in the aftermath of trauma, rebuilding emotional intimacy and trust can be challenging. Acting classes create opportunities to role-play scenarios in which empathy plays a key role. Participants may enact scenes where they practice active listening, perspective-taking, and emotional validation, skills that are crucial in repairing strained relationships.
3. Breaking Down Emotional Barriers
Many clients I’ve worked with are "locked in" emotionally—they have built up walls that prevent them from fully experiencing or expressing their feelings. This can stem from fear, past trauma, or a learnt coping mechanism of emotional avoidance. Acting offers an avenue for breaking down these barriers.
For example, one acting exercise involves portraying heightened emotions through exaggerated body language and facial expressions. At first, this can feel uncomfortable for individuals used to holding back their emotions, but with time, it becomes a tool for breaking free from emotional constraints. By expressing themselves in an exaggerated manner, they slowly become more comfortable with their emotional world and gain confidence in their ability to navigate complex feelings.
Trauma, particularly from experiences like sexual assault, can deeply affect an individual's ability to trust, express emotions, or engage in intimate relationships. Acting can be a non-invasive yet effective way to address these issues.
Research supports this. Studies on drama therapy with trauma survivors show significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, emotional regulation, and self-esteem. A study published in the Arts in Psychotherapy journal found that role-playing and embodiment in acting exercises helped trauma survivors reconnect with their bodies, build resilience, and process their trauma in a less intimidating way than traditional talk therapy.
Through acting, trauma survivors can reclaim their sense of agency, which is often lost after such an experience. In therapy sessions, we may focus on small role-plays that reflect everyday situations. For instance, if a client struggles with feelings of powerlessness, we might work through a scene in which they confront a difficult situation, helping them gain confidence in expressing their needs and setting boundaries.
One of the most profound effects I’ve observed in integrating acting into therapy is its ability to mend relationships, particularly those suffering from a lack of intimacy. Couples who have become emotionally distant or who avoid vulnerability often find it difficult to reconnect. Acting can create a bridge between them by encouraging more open communication and emotional risk-taking.
In acting classes, couples can perform exercises that require cooperation, communication, and trust. For example, improvisation exercises where each partner must “respond in the moment” to the other’s words and actions teach them how to be present and responsive in their real-life interactions. Over time, this leads to better communication, more empathy, and renewed emotional intimacy.
Moreover, these classes offer a unique opportunity to explore intimacy through role-playing. Partners can step into fictional scenarios where they express love, appreciation, or vulnerability toward one another, practising behaviours they may find difficult to engage in real life. Through this process, they become more attuned to each other’s emotional needs, laying the groundwork for rebuilding trust and closeness.
In my clinical practice, I have seen clients transform through the power of acting. One client, for instance, initially struggled to express his emotions after years of emotional repression following a traumatic event. Through acting exercises, he gradually became more comfortable verbalising his feelings, both in therapy and in his personal relationships. This newfound emotional expression helped him repair his strained relationship with his partner, who had felt emotionally neglected.
For others, the shift has been in how they relate to their own trauma. Sexual assault survivors, for example, have reported feeling more empowered after using acting techniques to process their emotions in a controlled and creative way, regaining a sense of control over their narrative.
Acting classes can be a valuable adjunct to traditional therapy, providing clients with a creative outlet for self-expression, emotional exploration, and empathy development. Whether it's trauma survivors reconnecting with their bodies and emotions or couples rekindling intimacy, acting offers a safe, supportive space to heal and grow. Through my experience, both clinical and anecdotal, I can attest to the transformative power of performance techniques in fostering emotional healing and personal growth.
