THEATROTHERAPY AS AN INDEPENDENT THERAPEUTICINTEGRATIVE SYSTEM.

The paper summarizes results of several qualitative researches in this area (from 2006 to 2014). They were focused on the phenomena of employing theatrotherapy in the system of care of persons with specific needs in Czech Republic, on the integrative potential of theatrotherapy within lessons at primary art schools and on the paradox of theatrotherapeutic focus. This paradox is the specific that makes theatrotherapy an independent and non-substitutable approach. Regarding theoretical basis, we focus on comparison of effective factors of theatrotherapy with gestalt psychotherapy. This theoretical basis is also supported by researches and a long-standing therapy practice of the author, who applies a therapy approach that connects paratheatrical and gestalt processes in the intervention. This approach was named gestaltdrama. Its specifics are introduced here as outcomes of a research, which included participants of workshops from Czech Republic, Russian Federation and Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]