Exploring the Impact of Trauma-Informed Dramatherapy Training on Mental Health Practitioners in Myanmar: Perspectives on Integration, Effectiveness, and Cultural Adaptation

Myanmar’s prolonged civil conflict and the 2021 military coup have aggravated widespread trauma, anxiety, and depression, compounded by economic collapse and disruptions to mental health services. Traditional talk therapies alone are insufficient in addressing these complex psychological needs, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. This study examines the feasibility of trauma-informed dramatherapy as an intervention within Myanmar’s mental health landscape. In 2024, the Academy of Care at the Goethe-Institut Myanmar launched a Train-the-Trainer program to enhance the capacity of fifteen local mental health practitioners. Using a qualitative research design, this study explores the experiences of the fifteen participants who completed intensive two-week dramatherapy training. The findings reveal four key themes: (1) Cultural Adaptation and Mindfulness, highlighting the integration of local cultural practices to enhance accessibility; (2) Empowerment and Self-Discovery, demonstrating the training’s impact on practitioners’ self-awareness and therapeutic confidence; (3) Addressing Mental Health Challenges, illustrating dramatherapy’s effectiveness in supporting trauma survivors beyond traditional talk-based approaches; and (4) Community Healing and Connection, emphasizing its role in fostering social cohesion and collective trauma recovery. Findings suggest that culturally responsive trauma-informed dramatherapy holds significant potential for addressing Myanmar’s mental health crisis. However, sustained professional development, cultural adaptation, and further empirical research are essential to optimize its implementation and long-term impact.