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Erica Craig-Mann, PhD, is a 2025 graduate of the PhD program in Counselor Education & Supervision at Antioch University, Seattle.
Dissertation Committee:
Stephanie Thorson-Olesen, PhD, Committee Chair
Jason S. Frydman, PhD, Committee Member
Amanda J. Falkers, EdD, Committee Member
Keywords
creativity, counseling, counselor education, drama therapy, drama therapist, transformative learning theory, divergent thinking, clinical supervision, social justice, qualitative research, professional identity, creative arts therapy
Document Type
Dissertation
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the intersectional possibilities between the fields of drama therapy and mental health counseling through the lens of transformative learning theory. Specifically, the research sought to understand the lived experiences of professionals trained in both disciplines to identify how these fields might mutually inform, strengthen, and enhance one another through collaboration and/or dual training. Data were collected through a qualitative online survey and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: (a) Theoretical and Practical Overlaps and Distinctions; (b) Drama Therapy-Informed Counseling: Embodiment, Creativity, and Experiential Practice; (c) Counseling-Informed Drama Therapy: Frameworks for Practice, Education, and Supervision; (d) Navigating Systems and Professional Identity: Challenges and Advantages; and (e) Collaboration for Social Justice: From Theory to Embodiment. These findings highlight integrative opportunities and systemic considerations for interdisciplinary practice in support of socially just, creative, and embodied approaches to mental health care.
Recommended Citation
Craig-Mann, E. (2025). Intersectional Opportunities for Drama Therapy and Counseling. https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/1173
Included in
Cognitive Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Counselor Education Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Fine Arts Commons, Higher Education Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Social Work Commons
Comments
Erica Craig-Mann, PhD, 2025
ORCID Scholar No. 0009-0009-9372-7025
Dr. Erica Craig-Mann, PhD, LCSW, RDT/BCT is a Counselor Educator, Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Registered Drama Therapist/Board Certified Trainer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Dr. Craig-Mann’s research focuses on the intersections between drama therapy and traditional counseling, examining how these fields can inform and enrich one another. She maintains a private practice in Atlanta and serves as a faculty member at both Emory University and Lesley University. As an educator, Dr. Craig-Mann integrates creative expression with embodied and experiential learning, fostering dynamic and transformative educational environments.