"Maryam is part of a unique ''drama therapy'' program being run at Miller Technology High School, which encourages refugee students to share their stories, helping to liberate them from the burden of traumatic memories.
"Their remarkable tales of survival and despair were worked into a 90-minute stage production, Tree of Life, performed last month at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and this month at the Ensemble Theatre....
"As a therapy tool, Ms Maguire-Donvito said, the process is highly effective.
''Often trauma controls its victim, coming back as unwanted memories, flashbacks and nightmares,'' she said. ''But when you perform something, you control the story and this sense of control is very therapeutic...."
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