Dana Sayre (They/Them)

I am queer and non-binary. I bring my own lived experience coupled with 15 years of active involvement in queer/trans communities and involvement with multiple organizations in Austin focused on queer/trans issues. My graduate research was related to queer issues and communities, and I created an advanced elective around queer/trans issues as a part of my drama therapy coursework. I have presented about my work with queer communities at multiple conferences.

I have completed 300+ hours of training in psychodrama, which includes healing intergenerational trauma. I have also attended workshops specific to trauma healing at numerous professional conferences, and completed an advanced elective about trauma in my drama therapy coursework. I have also completed a course on trauma response and crisis care in social movements, which includes examining how legacies of ancestral trauma impact minority individuals who are participating in social movements.

I have completed 6 CEU training hours related to compassion fatigue/burnout (a requirement to be certified as competent in this area of expertise), as well as attending multiple other workshops and presentations related to the topic. During my time working for Seton, I was a part of the Provider Associate Care Team, whose purpose was to prevent burnout in healthcare employees. I also have lived experience of my own recovery from burnout and secondary trauma.

Emergent research in the field of psychology has shown that trauma is stored in the body. As a result, drama therapy, an embodied and experiential approach to healing, is well-suited to support survivors of trauma. Drama therapy helps with nervous system regulation. I took an advanced elective in trauma-specific drama therapy approaches as a part of my training, as well as continuing education hours, and I have worked with survivors of domestic violence and child abuse.

I have 400+ hours of training in psychodrama from Centerwood Institute, and currently hold the title of Assistant Director of Psychodrama. Psychodrama is an action method in which individuals use spontaneous dramatization, role playing, and dramatic self-presentation to investigate and gain insight into their lives. Psychodrama can be used to explore parts of self, as well as interpersonal relationship dynamics.

Drama therapy uses role play and enactment to help individuals create personal change and rehearse new behavior patterns. Drama therapy is embodied , increasing social-emotional skills, creating emotional resiliency, increasing awareness of somatic (bodily) sensations and ability to tolerate intense emotions and sensations. Drama therapists can incorporate elements of art, music, dance, narrative, play, and sand tray, as well as using creative drama and improvisation.