This article deals with the assessment of the aesthetic dimension in dramatherapy. It first describes the 6-Key Model, a dramatherapy-based assessment method grounded on the notion of dramatic reality, focussing in particular on the second (or quality) key, which embodies the aesthetic dimension. The paper examines the need for assessing this aspect in dramatherapy, discusses issues pertaining to the ethics and the therapeutic function of aesthetics in our field. Finally, the author calls for the development of alternative aesthetics guidelines, which would allow to evaluate this aspect of dramatherapy processes in ways that are more appropriate to our profession than those presented by traditional theatre or/and psychotherapy. The notions brought forth by community-based and applied theatre practitioners are presented as significant models to follow.
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