Pocket play: Playful persona as an approach to stress-reduction in an elementary school program

Abstract

Past experiences of trauma can impede children’s learning and success. Playful interactions between skilled counsellors and students can help mitigate the impact of trauma. The author presents case examples of brief drama therapeutic interventions in a school-based program called ALIVE. The article covers the type of persona, qualities and skills cultivated by a counsellor in the ALIVE program, with comparison to medical clowns working in hospitals, pointing out the commonalities, differences and challenges involved.