Improv for Therapists / Therapeutic Improv
1990s-present
Use of improv technique in therapeutic settings — both as clinical skill-building for therapists and as intervention with clients (anxiety, autism, Parkinson's, recovery).
Known for
- Spolin's games were adapted for clinical use as early as the 1970s by her son Paul Sills; formalized in the 2000s by Gary Schwartz (Spolin-trained).
- Improv Therapy Group (Laurie Young, others) runs clinical programs for anxiety, Parkinson's-related speech work, ASD social cognition.
- Yes-And as radical acceptance: pairs naturally with CBT and ACT frameworks.
- Licensing note: most practitioners are dual-credentialed (MFT/LCSW plus improv teaching experience) — improv is the intervention, therapy is the container.
Connected to
People