Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Verrastro
Hi Krista, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I learned about drama therapy while in high school and decided right away that I wanted to become a drama therapist. I discovered the healing power of theater my freshman year of high school and wanted to help people feel as empowered as I felt through it.
Drama therapy is a healing modality that can work for anyone because we all naturally play different roles in our everyday lives. It can help people explore roles they get stuck in or want more of in their lives. It can also help people explore difficult emotions in a playful way through metaphor, storytelling, and other creative methods when just talking about problems can feel so overwhelming. Such creative techniques also allow for greater perspective than just talking does.
Prior to being in private practice, I worked longest at an agency that helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault, and human trafficking. My niche in private practice is abuse-related or relational trauma because of the experience I gained there. I also enjoy helping people who feel different. My private practice tagline is: helping people who feel used, abused, neglected, or rejected transform from surviving to thriving. I do this through a blend of drama therapy, EMDR therapy, and talk therapy.
I also do coaching, lead presentations and trainings, provide clinical and private practice building consultation, provide supervision for drama therapy students and early career drama therapists, and lead workshops. I facilitate vision board workshops that help people actively tackle their goals and obstacles. I also facilitate self-care workshops that incorporate nature and expressive arts.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a therapist is difficult in many ways. Firstly, therapists have to navigate some very damaged system that harm both us and our clients. Some examples are dealing with health insurance frustrations, venture capitalist corporations pushing out private practices, and the pathologizing medical model of diagnosing people and treating things as disorders when they are normal responses to stress and trauma.
Being a drama therapist has unique challenges, such as frequently having to explain what drama therapy is since it’s still a relatively newer type of therapy and often not being recognized as equivalent to more familiar types of therapists.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As mentioned above, I blend drama therapy with EMDR therapy and talk therapy. I work best with people who feel used, abused, neglected, or rejected. I do trauma, anti-oppression, and intersectionality informed therapy and coaching. I do therapy with residents of Maryland and coaching with people from anywhere.
Being a drama therapist means that I bring a creative angle to my services. Think of it as outside-of-the-box services for outside-of-the-box people!
What were you like growing up?
I think that some of my core personality traits have existed for as long as I can remember. I was always thoughtful and empathetic. I still have some elementary school writings where I wrote about wanting to help hurting people. I always liked being a supportive listener to friends and made efforts for people to feel included. When in high school, a friend and I asked school administration if we could do a presentation on tolerance and respect because we were tired of the bullying that constantly occurred. We were given permission and did so, and we also hung up hand made signs with quotes about love and peace.
My creative side has also always been with me. Art, music, dancing, and poetry were my main creative outlets as an elementary and middle school aged child. I got into theater my first year of high school. I still love all of these and incorporate them in both my professional and personal lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristaverrastro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristaverrastrotherapy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristaverrastrotherapy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristaverrastrotherapy
