The Handbook of Neuro-Dramatic-Play

‘Highly recommended text for any therapist or educator working with children or young people. The rationale, description and practical illustrations of drama and play therapy methods are developmentally grounded, cultural inclusive and usefully specific.’

Jacki Short, Director of Sydney Centre for Creative Change, President of the Australian Play Therapists Association, Registered Counselling Psychologist and Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor

‘The content of this book provides inspiration and motivation for a fulfilling life for every individual, from early childhood, adolescence, the period of preparation for parenthood and pregnancy, to adulthood and old age. Through both theoretical and practical perspective, it defines valuable and effective approaches of the NDP method in an individually tailored and culturally inclusive environment. Therefore, it is highly recommended for therapists and professionals from various fields who work with children, adolescents and families.

The text is especially recommended for professionals interested in the application and exploration of innovative, developmentally grounded, creative and expressive therapeutic approaches, particularly those focused on play and dramatic play in various contexts. These approaches, through a performative process and communication channels that go beyond verbal strategies, stimulate imagination, creativity, self-expression, experience, embodiment, distancing from distress, and the exploration of new narratives based on satisfaction, hope and trust. They encourage transformation and integration.

This book makes a significant contribution to the theory of NDP and includes exceptionally useful, well-founded and cross-culturally tested methods for working with children and young people who have experienced trauma, attachment issues, and emotional or behavioral regulation difficulties. From an educational perspective, it is also highly recommended for parents and professionals working with parents, as it fosters self-empowerment and the acceptance of responsibility.

The book offers valuable insight into rediscovering childhood through play, curious playfulness, and performance. It provides readers with innovative approaches, knowledge, and practical examples of the NDP method to support holistic psychophysical, emotional, and cognitive development, interpersonal relationships, and spiritual awareness. In today's era of societal changes and increasing mental health challenges, this is particularly relevant.

The content of this book can deeply resonate with and is recommended for all readers who are exploring the significance of reconnecting with themselves, their inner child, and the fundamental essence o nature and humanity.’

Urška Novak, Founder and Director of a Private Institute for assisting children, adolescents, and families in Celje, Slovenia; vice president of the Slovenian Association of Art Therapists; professor of defectology; Master of Science in Special and Rehabilitation Pedagogy; master of Creative Art Therapies; doctoral student in Marriage and Family Therapy; licensed personal and NLP coach; licensed master of hypnosis; certified birth and postpartum doula

‘This collection of writings opens the doors to the rich experience of therapists that are using the Neuro-Dramatic-Play (NDP) in practice. It highlights specific applications of NDP in a variety of needs and settings from early care to elder care, children, teenagers, adults, psychiatric, forensic and young onset dementia. We get to see and understand the myriad manifestations of Attachment-based Play, NDP and Theatre of Resilience (ToR). Voices from across cultures attest to the universality of NDP and its effective use in healing, restoration and development, from Romania to Malaysia and Hong Kong, from Ukraine to India and UK. It is wonderful that the pioneer, Dr. Sue Jennings adds her voice, recounting the evolution - ‘Roots and Branches’ of NDP and its application in neurodiversity. Chapters carefully span across theory and practice, elucidated with actual experiences and cases from clinical settings. An informative, reflective, and applied collection of international experiences of NDP.’

Aanand Chabukswar, Applied Theatre and Arts-based Therapy (ABT) Practitioner, India

Author of Creative Rites of the Recovering Mind: Arts-Based Therapy for Persons Living with Mental Illness

‘This is a book to cherish. An absolute must for therapists and practitioners working with children and families in a modern culturally diverse landscape. As with all of Sue’s work, practitioners will find this resource both accessible and enduring.’

Anna Hodgson, Charity Director at Clear Sky Children’s Charity and Chair of the Oxfordshire Schools Mental Health and Wellbeing Network.