DRAMA THERAPY

Mgr. Jakub Vávra, Ph.D.

Mgr. Jakub Vávra Ph.D. - Therapy Olomouc

Special educator and drama therapist. He obtained his doctoral degree in special education focusing on psychotherapy and drama therapy at Palacký University Olomouc, where he currently works as an assistant professor and lecturer. He completed part of his studies at New York University (USA). He holds an internationally accredited training in the Developmental Transformations method (700 hours, DvT Institute, USA).

"For me, drama therapy is a creative path to development and finding playfulness in the world around us. I do not consider it necessary for us as adults to search for our inner child, but rather to discover playfulness and creativity even in an adult life full of responsibilities. Drama Therapy allows us to look at life and the relationships around us in an original way, explore them, and possibly change them so that we feel better and more joyful in this world."

Academic & Professional: school UPOL ResearchGate Google Scholar theater_comedy ADČR menu_book Book: Behind the Curtain of Emotions
psychology_alt

Long-term DvT drama therapy training

public

Research residency at New York University

healing

Drama therapist at Nordoff-Robbins Center NYC

school

Ph.D. in special education & drama therapy, UPOL

Academic and Research Work

As an assistant professor and researcher at Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL), I actively engage in empirical studies exploring therapeutic mechanisms. My primary research interest lies at the intersection of psychotherapy, drama therapy, and applied psychophysiology.

I specialize in monitoring autonomic nervous system responses (specifically through heart rate variability – HRV) during drama therapy interactions. This innovative research aims to objectively describe and support the impact of creative and expressive therapies on stress regulation, emotional processing, and the development of overall psychological resilience in clients.

Selected Publications & Research

  • menu_book
    URBANOVÁ, K., VÁVRA, J., PERIMAL-LEWIS, L., & KANTOR, J. (2026). Scoping Review: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Practice of Drama-Based Therapists. The Arts in Psychotherapy. (in print)
  • menu_book
    KOSEK, P., VÁVRA, J., VEITOVÁ, L. et al. (2026). Behind the Curtain of Emotions: Theory and Practice of Drama Therapy. Prague: Pasparta Publishing. ISBN 978-80-88648-53-6.
  • menu_book
    VÁVRA, J., KOSEK, P., & VALENTA, M. (2025). Researching Directiveness and Structure in Drama Therapeutic Substance Abuse Treatment in a Czech Psychiatric Setting. Drama Therapy Review.
  • menu_book
    VÁVRA, J. (2024). Diagnostics and Counseling for Students with Challenging and Problematic Behavior. Olomouc: Palacký University Olomouc. ISBN 978-80-244-6604-0.
  • menu_book
    VALENTA, M., VÁVRA, J., VEITOVÁ, L., LIŠTIAKOVÁ, I. (2021). Drama Therapy (5th ed.). Prague: Portál.