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Headspace Theater: An Innovative Method for Experiential Learning of Psychiatric Symptomatology Using Modified Role-Playing and Improvisational Theater Techniques

Received April 27, 2006; revised November 17, 2006; accepted December 15, 2006. Drs. Ballon and Silver are affiliated with the University of Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Fidler is affiliated with West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. Address correspondence to Dr. Ballon, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, CAMH, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S1; bruce_ballon{at}camh.net (e-mail).

OBJECTIVE: Headspace Theater has been developed to allow small group learning of psychiatric conditions by creating role-play situations in which participants are placed in a scenario that simulates the experience of the condition. METHOD: The authors conducted a literature review of role-playing techniques, interactive teaching, and experiential education, and performed consultations with experts in improvisational theater, live-action role-playing, and cognitive psychology (constructivism). RESULTS: Participants have universally rated the Headspace Theater experience positively. They affirmed that the simulations evoke emotions and cognitive distortions that create a window into the experience of a patient suffering from psychiatric symptoms. Several participants have also disseminated the techniques and scenarios to their local teaching setting. CONCLUSIONS: Headspace Theater may serve as a useful tool for helping various learners to experientially understand what a person may encounter when under the influence of a mental health condition, and thus help shape attitudes and increase empathy toward such people.

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