MEET LOU GHIRLANDO

Dramatherapy is a relational process bringing the therapist and client, or clients, together to create a healing process. It is about people coming together honestly and authentically; it takes courage and it involves trust. I would therefore like to tell you a little bit about myself and my work before you decide whether you would like to contact me to engage in dramatherapy or ask about what it involves.

I trained as a dramatherapist at the University of Roehampton in London. I was awarded the Psychology Department Prize for outstanding achievement for the dissertation I submitted in which I explored how metaphor is a key tool in the relationship between the therapist and the client. I focused the research on the engagement of dramatherapy with women who have survived intimate partner violence.

Since graduating as a dramatherapist in 2012, I have developed freelance practice servicing different agencies and schools, as well as working with clients in private practice. I have worked with children with emotional and behavioral difficulties; adults and adolescents with eating disorders; women who have experienced and survived domestic abuse; people with intellectual disabilities; adults in drug rehabilitation programmes; and adults looking for personal growth. I served as President of the Creative Arts Therapies Society Malta between 2014 and 2019.

I have serviced Dar Kenn Għall-Saħħtek (2015 to date); Richmond Foundation (2012); the Paulo Freire Institute in Zejtun (2013-2017); Aġenzija Sedqa (2013-15); St. Albert the Great College (2015-16); Equal Partners Foundation (2013); Dar Qalb ta’ Ġesu (2012-13), Guardian Angel Resource Centre (2016) and St. Jeanne Antide Foundation (2017). I also developed a project Embodying Selves exploring people’s well-being through their relationship with their bodies and with food (2014-2015).

I am a registered dramatherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council of the UK (registration number AS14565), registered psychotherapist with the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine of Malta (registration number 179) and an international member of the British Association of Dramatherapists.

Before graduating as a dramatherapist I was deeply committed and engaged to working creatively with adults with intellectual disabilities and was founding artistic director and co-founder of the NGO Opening Doors Association that works to develop opportunities for the creative and artistic engagement of adults with intellectual disabilities. I am now a Patron of the organisation. In 2013, I conceptualized, directed and produced a performance that is accessible to adolescents with profound and complex needs (Neith Performance Project) that was premiered at the Ziguzajg arts festival for children and young people in 2013. It was listed with the Malta Showcase of that year.

I have been engaged on a visiting and casual basis with the University of Malta since 2005 teaching students reading for a degree in theatre studies, in inclusive education, in disability studies, in drama education and in psychology. Most recently I have been appointed as a visiting assistant lecturer with the department of Psychiatry, tutoring medical students in Medical Leadership Skills (inter and intrapersonal skills).