Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Jason D. Butler

Abstract

This literature review investigates how a drama therapy-informed playmaking intervention process may support the healthy siblings (HS) of chronically ill children in processing and expressing their complex emotions. A review of the literature indicates that the HS often experience significant emotional and psychosocial impacts, including anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt, and feelings of neglect and isolation as their parent’s attention becomes focused on the ill child. Research emphasizes that a sibling's illness disrupts family roles, routines, and attachment dynamics and often positions siblings in caregiver roles, and distances them from their peers, where their needs are unintentionally minimized.

Expressive and narrative-based group interventions were highlighted in some of the literature as a developmentally appropriate tool for supporting emotional expression, meaning-making, and community building while maintaining psychological safety through aesthetic distance. Grounded in drama therapy core processes and taking into account the works of Bethany Nelson’s Playmaking and Laura Wood and Dave Mowers’ CoATT model, the author of this thesis asserts that Playmaking may be a successful intervention for use with HS. Overall, the findings suggest that therapeutic playmaking could create a meaningful, developmentally appropriate container for supporting HS by enhancing emotional expression, fostering connection, and acknowledging their often-invisible experiences with peers who share similar lives experiences.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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