The Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles is pleased to announce our Spring semester classes for 2026. . Whatever you are looking for, DTILA is the place to find moments of learning like community-based approaches, promoting holistic well-being, and creative practices to change the therapeutic story!
Transformational Stories and Pivotal Moments:
- Facilitator: Pam Dunne Ph.D., RCT-BCT, NT
- Dates: April 4, 11, 18.
- Time(s): First Meeting(April 4): 9:00am to 1:30pm. Second Meeting(April 11): 9:00am to 3:30pm and Final Meeting(April 18): 9:00am to 12:00pm (All times in PST)
- Credits: 1 Unit (TBA arranged hours 3.5 +)
- Cost: $338
Explore the use of story in Narradrama through a transformational lens by examining narratives such as: unique outcome, identity change, healing relationship, as well as, possibility and power. Participants explore through experiential exercises exploring ways to expand and develop transformational stories and move from problem- saturated stories to more preferred ones through a re-storying process. Participants will also explore pivotal moments which bring positive entry ways into personal stories for the client, which show agency and hope.
Sociodrama and Advanced Psychodramatic Techniques:
- Facilitator: Pam Dunne Ph.D., RCT-BCT, NT
- Dates: April 18, 25. May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and June 6
- Time(s): First Meeting(April 18): 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Additional Meetings(April 25, May 2,9,16,23,30 and June 6): 9:30am to 2:30pm (All times in PST)
- Credits: 3 Units (TBA arranged hours 7+)
- Cost: $899
- Lunch Break: 30 minutes
This course focuses on Sociodrama and advanced psychodramatic techniques based on the work of Jacob Moreno and contributions of international leaders in the field. In Sociodrama, participants will explore empty chair sociodrama, pre-rehearsed dramaturgy, dramatic multiplication as well as, living newspaper, re-plotting and other specialized techniques for sociodrama. Attendees will also explore psychodramatic techniques of living sculpture, psychodramatic interviewing, role reversal, mirrors, and other advanced psychodramatic techniques along with sociometric techniques (i.e. spectrograms, locograms). Selected videos and targeted assignments will assist participants in planning and facilitating these processes in community, education, business, and in other settings.
Exploring the Enneagram through Drama Therapy and Authentic Movement:
- Facilitator: Pam Paulson M.A., LMFT., RCT-NT
- Dates: April 19 and 26
- Time: 11:45am to 3:15pm (PST)
- Credits: .5 Unit (TBA 1 hour video/article)
- Cost: $169
In this experiential workshop, we’ll bring the Enneagram to life through embodied exploration. Instead of simply talking about personality types, we’ll step into them—using drama therapy, improvisation, and authentic movement to explore how each Enneagram style thinks, feels, and responds under stress and in growth. Through guided exercises, scene work, and gentle movement. Participants will deepen their understanding of their own Enneagram type and core motivations by exploring patterns of behavior, defense, and longing in creative, compassionate ways. By practicing new ways of responding to familiar triggers through role play and embodied explorations, they will also cultivate empathy for other types by “trying on” their perspectives and energies. Participants will connect with inner resources such as playfulness, curiosity, and self-compassion. This workshop offers a supportive space for insight, healing, and growth through the wisdom of the body and the power of story.
Innovations in Narradrama Witnessing:
- Facilitator: Ksenia Ilinskaya, MA, NT
- Dates: May 17 and 24
- Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm (PST)
- Credits: .5 Unit (TBA 1 hour arranged video/article)
- Cost: $169
Join and experience this multi-level approach to witnessing which honors the person, the story,
and the identity. From the map of the outside witness of Michael White therapeutic witnessing
will be enlarged by using different modalities and focusing on specific aspects of the witnessing
process. The course will show the particularities of using witnessing in different stages of the
therapeutic process (in the beginning, in the middle and at the end) as well as cover the
benefits of witnessing with couples, children-parent relationships, in individual work as well as
in working with groups. Using drama for witnessing in the role of the witness, with fictional
characters as well as people from different periods of life will open space for new possibilities
and future aspirations.
Abolitionism and Narradrama: New Directions in Anti-Carceral Practice:
- Facilitators: Kamran Afary Ph.D., MA, MFT, RDT, NT and Lynn Baker-Nauman LMFT, RDT
- Dates: June 7 and June 14
- Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm (PST)
- Credits: .5 Unit (TBA 1 hour video/article)
- Ched Credits: 7 hours (Ched credits are important for AT students and professional RDT’s that need credits for renewing their registrations.)
- Cost: $169
This workshop delves into the intersections of abolitionist principles and drama therapy. Participants will explore how entrenched carceral logics pervade social institutions and professional practices, challenging drama therapists to envision, redefine, and enact new concepts of ethics, freedom and justice. The workshop will introduce participants to the wealth of existing literature, research, and multimedia resources, including the Drama Therapy in Prison Archives available for their educational and clinical practice. Attendees will engage in discussions and experiential exercises designed to foster critical consciousness, equipping them with the tools to advocate for community-based approaches and holistic well-being, thereby contributing to a more equitable and just society.
Drama Therapy with Indigenous Populations
- Facilitator: Renda Dionne Madrigal, PhD, RDT, NT
- Date: August 22
- Time: 8:00am to 3:00pm (PST)
- Credits: .5 Units (TBA 1 hour arranged video/article)
- Ched Credits: 7 hours (Ched credits are important for AT students and professional RDT’s that need credits for renewing their registrations.)
- Cost: $169
Participants will learn and practice specific drama and creative arts interventions (based on Narradrama) to deepen understanding of the intergenerational impact of history, colonization, and oppression on Indigenous communities, health, and well-being, apply embodied mindfulness-based compassion practices that can be used by providers to work with obstacles to care such as internalized oppression and compassion fatigue, and develop an understanding of the relationship of cultural practices such as storytelling and arts to activism and healing. By practicing these approaches, participants will increase the possible methods of therapeutic intervention and communication
Special Topics Workshop: Storytelling as Medicine
- Facilitator: Renda Dionna Madrigal
- Dates: Aug 1 and Aug 2
- Time: 8:00am to 3:30pm (PST)
- Credits: 1 unit (2 hours arranged video/article)
- Cost: TBA
DTILA is honored to present this special populations workshop for professionals and AT students, Storytelling as Medicine with world renowned facilitator Dr. Renda Dionne Madrigal. Renda is a Indigenous (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) Psychologist and Storyteller (Drama Therapist) that will remind us that we live in a story and will show us how we can use it to heal our minds, bodies, and souls. Participants will learn how to tap into their ancestral and archetypal strengths to discover how these energies are working to mold who they are and their lives. Students will learn through the three stages of The Asking, The Seeking, and The Making to embody ritual and make connections with our stories and our life journey. Each participant will identify pivotal moments that have shaped the trajectory of who they are by developing skills to essential purpose and calling by focusing on obstacles that block us from who we are supposed to be. This class fulfills the requirements for special population credits for AT Students. Special pricing is available for students that take this workshop and the Drama Therapy with Indigenous Populations class. Register for both classes and receive a 30% discount.
Independent Study: Ethics and the Law:
- Facilitator: Pam Dunne Ph.D., RCT-BCT, NT
- Dates: TBA
- Time: TBA
- Credits: 1 Unit
- Cost: $338
Independent Study Information:
Independent studies are more student-led and often with the goal of completing a research project. Meetings will be scheduled on the days and times when the facilitator and the student’s schedules match. Meetings are not mandatory like classes but are rather designed for the facilitator to help the students in their research projects and for students to learn from other students. (time is PST)
Group Supervision for Mental Health Professionals and AT students:
- Supervisor: Pamela Dunne Ph.D., RCT-BCT, NT
- Schedule of dates through August (No July)
- Dates: March 16. April 17. May 16. June 1. More dates announced in June for August
- Time: 9:00am to 11:00am
- Cost: $225. Set of three, paid in advanced.
- Enroll at : assistant.dtila@gmail.com
- Ongoing supervision group (requires a six month commitment)
Things to Note for DTILA Classes:
- Most classes and meetings are held virtually over Zoom, unless noted.
- Specific classes adhere to all standards and professional ethics of CAMFT and satisfy continuing education requirements for LMFT, LCSW, and LPCCs.
- Specific classes are approved by the American Psychology Association for continuing education requirements (CE). These classes are monitored collaboratively by DTILA and The Creative Arts Therapies Center.
- For more information on how classes offered can help you meet your own continuing education requirements email assistant.dtila@gmail.com
- If for illness or some other reason a participant needs to withdraw from a continuing class that is in progress- they still need to pay the balance of the class that they agreed to in their payment arrangement. DTILA will however , give them the option when the class is offered again to attend for free (assuming their previous balance is paid).