Written by Wang Chia-Chi, psychologist & improviser.
Hi, I’m Wang Chia-Chi —
an improviser, playbacker, and licensed psychologist based in Taipei, Taiwan.
I believe that improvisation and psychotherapy are both rooted in presence, curiosity, and deep listening — and that when combined, they offer powerful ways to connect, heal, and grow.
I currently work at Better Help Clinic, where I support adults navigating relational issues, emotional overwhelm, and trauma. My approach to therapy is integrative and relational — drawing from psychodynamic theory, expressive arts, and embodied practices. Whether in the therapy room or on stage, I care deeply about helping people reclaim their voice, feel seen, and stay connected to their inner life.
I’m also a performer, musician, and improv coach at Inprint Theatre — a Playback Theatre ensemble made up of actors, musicians, and psychologists/drama therapists.
Improvising Real Life: On Stage with Inprint Theatre
At Inprint Theatre, we honor the spirit of Playback Theatre. By combining it with the playful, spontaneous, and creative elements of improvisational theatre, we turn real-life moments into theatrical expression. During our shows, we listen to personal stories shared live by audience members, then bring those stories to life on stage — through improvised theatre, music, clowning, and live illustration — and offer them back to the storyteller as a creative gift.
Over the years, I’ve led more than 500 experiential workshops and trainings across schools, hospitals, and organizations — helping participants explore communication, empathy, and emotional awareness through the lens of improvisation.
Improv as a Tool for Therapy, Teaching, and Transformation
One of the projects I’m most proud of is the Improv for Psychotherapists workshop, where I train therapists to use improvisational techniques to enhance their clinical work, deepen their presence, and sharpen their awareness of transference and countertransference.
In this workshop, I invited experienced improviser Chao-Huai Yu to play the role of a simulated client. You can contact her here. Each participant was asked to engage in a live, unscripted interaction with the client — followed by real-time feedback from both me and Huai Yu. This format was designed to give therapists a visceral sense of how quickly relational dynamics can shift, just like in an improv scene.
The inspiration for this work came from the idea of mentalization, beautifully described by Midgley, Nick et al. (2017):
"Mentalizing is about understanding oneself and others on the basis of what’s going on inside us; it involves keeping mind in mind and seeing oneself from the outside and others from the inside."
Whether I’m facilitating a workshop, performing on stage, or sitting with someone in a therapy session, my goal is the same:
To create spaces where people can feel safe, connected, and fully alive.
If you’re curious about collaborating — in therapy, performance, or co-creating something new — I’d love to hear from you.
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Learn more about Chao-Huai Yu → nisha0107@gmail.com |
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Reference
Midgley, Nick et al. (2017) Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children. Washington: American Psychological Association
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