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Trauma Informed
Improv & Play


TIIP is a therapeutic methodology designed to blend trauma informed practices with the healing capacity of embodied play and the whole-body nature of improvisational theatre (or improv) for the treatment of complex trauma.

Why Improv?

 

Yes, and! 

TIIP draws from the principles and practices of improvisational theatre, or improv, to support experiences of embodied healing. TIIP embraces improv's golden rule of "yes, and." Within an improv activity or scene, improvisors demonstrate openness and inclusion by agreeing with the imaginary choices/circumstances offered by their scene partner (the, "yes") and then build upon those choices/circumstances (the "and") with their own offering.  The spirit of "yes, and" allows for the experience of feeling seen and heard and for the opportunity to engage in active choice-making with fluidity and spontaneity.  

Freedom in the unscripted 

The spontaneous and unscripted nature of improv requires improvisors to be grounded in the present moment and to exercise mental flexibility, imagination, and a playful spirit to create original scenes. Similarly, TIIP creates a space for improvised, rather than scripted moments to support the development of present moment awareness and freedom to play; skills that may be particularly challenging for those with complex trauma, but which are integral to healing.  

Body-first 

Improv is a body-first practice whereby improvisors engage the whole body through voice, gesture, and physicality. It is an artistic medium that supports embodiment and aids in the development of interoception skills, which are essential to trauma healing and a whole brain experience. 

Core Treatment Tenets

of the TIIP methodology

Trauma Informed


TIIP creates a safe, predictable environment with structured sessions, offering clients clear expectations through invitational language and choice. The program provides games and activities with varying engagement levels, allowing for active participation or observational roles. By adapting improv and drama games, TIIP emphasizes body awareness, emotional regulation, and active choice-making.

Embodied


TIIP is an embodied trauma care model that helps clients recognize and connect to their bodies through movement-based activities. It encourages clients to have present moment awareness so that they may notice body sensations (interoception) and then shift those sensations by making additional choices through games, activities, scene work, and character play. 

Playful


The ability to interact with and learn about the world through play is a developmental stage that is often thwarted or missed entirely for those with complex trauma. TIIP offers clients the chance to achieve this developmental milestone. Benefits to this include the experience of joy, spontaneity, connection, freedom, and choice-making. 

Engaging in playful activities together creates a sense of psychological safety which results in enhanced collaboration, and a more open, communicative culture.

 

Gary Ware, author of Playful Rebellion

Act. Embody. Empower.

 

The TIIP treatment phases consist of three stages: Act, Embody, and Empower — each designed to guide participants through a process of growth and self-discovery.


The first phase, Act (or "Learn"), focuses on establishing safety, both physically and emotionally, and introducing participants to noticing characters' experiences and observing scene work. Psychoeducation is incorporated to provide essential knowledge about trauma and its effects, while lower-risk drama and improv games/activities help participants ease into the process in a manageable way.

In the second phase, Embody (or "Practice"), participants are encouraged to notice their internal experiences, with an emphasis on interoception, or body awareness. This phase offers the option to engage in scene work, with a focus on staying present in the moment, allowing individuals to build awareness and comfort in their bodies and emotions.

Finally, the Empower (or "Do") phase integrates internal and external experiences, where participants create original scene work and practice active choice-making. This phase promotes a whole-brain response, helping participants connect their thoughts, feelings, and body sensations, while also looking toward the future and what they can achieve moving forward.

The TIIP Team

We are master’s-level therapists with decades of experience treating trauma in mental health and social work settings, specializing in using improvisation, play, theatre, and movement for healing. In 2014, we came together in a therapeutic theatre group to support youth with complex trauma. Partnering with CFTE in 2018, we developed Trauma Informed Improv and Play (TIIP).

Sarah Carter, LMHC, RDT
she/her

Sasha Garfunkel Corrado, LICSW
she/her

Valerie Krpata, LICSW
she/her

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ReScripted
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