Wearing sunglasses to see more clearly: Drama therapy calls attention to the climate crisis

The field of drama therapy has yet to fully engage with the emerging discipline of climate-informed therapy. Clients are increasingly seeking support for climate-related distress, yet many therapists report a lack of training and confidence in addressing these issues. This article explores how drama therapy can respond to the climate emergency through a collaborative peer supervision process involving eight Concordia University alumni. Using Image Theatre and Metabolizing Minutes, participants processed difficult climate feelings of anger, resentment, grief and loss. Aesthetic distance, dramatic projection and embodiment helped drama therapists resist the tendency to avoid dire climate realities and reignite a sense of agency that they could make a difference.