Psychodrama

This handbook is a comprehensive introduction, using first-hand accounts of psychodrama sessions. The contributors vividly illustrate the contribution dramatic improvisation can make to emotional health.

Psychodrama is a unique and entertaining beginner's guide to this active form of group psychotherapy, in which individual life situations, fears, inhibitions and emotions are explored on stage in a safe, non-judgemental and stimulating environment. The authors, professional psychodramatists Zoran Djuric and Jasna Veljkovic, explain in user-friendly terms the basics of the technique and present a step-by-step guide to running a psychodrama session. Fully illustrated with colour cartoons offering examples of real psychodrama sessions, Psychodrama explores both the theory and practice in an accessible way. Also included are explanations of key terms, such as "auxiliary ego", "echo" and "sociogram", along with comprehensive descriptions of techniques and the significant stages in a psychodrama session. As the first fully illustrated psychodrama book, this book will be welcomed by both students and professionals - whether wanting an accessible introduction, or to brush up on their knowledge. Readers will include psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, students, trainers, counsellors and other mental health professionals, as well as anyone interested in participating in or running a psychodrama group.

This textbook is for all students and practioners of psychodrama and drama, and professionals seeking to extend their knowledge of creative arts therapies. The author provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of psychodrama, presenting a systematic analysis of its essential therapeutic ingredients. He specifies the core issues involved, discussing the interpersonal, the emotional, the imaginary, the behavioural and the cognitive elements. The book examines the professional roles assumed by psychodramatists and establishes the skills required in each role. Explored is the use of the concept of acting out, both in psychodrama and psychoanalysis, and the author also discusses the problem of resistance, and the importance of the concept and technique of closure in each psychodrama. A processing checklist is added at the end of the book as a systematic aid in evaluating the professional skills of the psychodramatist. The chapters are both pragmatic and solidly grounded in theory, thereby providing students with an effective, in-depth alternative to the traditional verbal therapies.

`As with all Wilkins writings the book is thorough and well-researched, with a wealth of information arising from wide readership and personal communication.... My own view is that the book fulfils its aim as an introduction to psychodrama for the audience it addresses. It also is packed with information about areas which experienced psychodramatists and sociodramatists will wish to debate' - British Psychodrama Association Journal The text unfolds in such a way that the central feature of psychodrama as an action therapy is spontaneously made manifest. The book is good for students of this method and would be a challenging refresher for practitioners in the field. All the special terms used by psychodramatist

`The book is helpfully structured with its cental chapters broadly following the shape of a typical psychodrama session′ - Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychology `As with all Paul Wilkins writings the book is thorough and well-researched, with a wealth of information arising from wide readership and personal communication.... My own view is that the book fulfils its aim as an introduction to psychodrama for the audience it addresses. It also is packed with information about areas which experienced psychodramatists and sociodramatists will wish to debate′ - British Psychodrama Association Journal The text unfolds in such a way that the central feature of psychodrama as an action therapy is spontaneously made manifest. The book is good for students of this method and would be a challenging refresher for practitioners in the field. All the special terms used by psychodramatists are defined in a succinct glossary so that the uninitiated will not be bewildered on first encountering "auxilliary egos", "surplus reality", "social atoms" or even the titillating idea of "act hunger"! The "Guide to further reading" and the section on psychodrama and the internet ensure that old-fashioned book- and journal-worms are as well catered for as cybersleuths′ -New Therapist This fascinating book introduces the rationale, theory and psychotherapeutic practice of psychodrama. It provides an insight into its origins, outlining its techniques and bringing to life the dynamic interrelationships that form the core of the practice. Following the theatrical process that lies at the heart of psychodrama, the book shows how the enactment of scenes from the past, present or future, real or imagined, can benefit the group of individuals involved, leading to unexpected insight and growth through creativity and spontaneity. Psychodramatic terms and processes are explained and illustrated using numerous examples from practice.

This is a clear and comprehensive work which stems from the author's broad knowledge and experience of psychology, the theatre and psychodrama. It includes discussion of the theory behind psychodrama as well as the methods used in its practice; Roine writes of technical concepts in a comprehensible and accessible style, giving examples from her work in America and Norway. As well as examining the specific field of psychodrama, she relates the topic to the history and practice of the theatre, providing new angles and insights. Expressive therapies including psychodrama are becoming steadily more influential and this book has already played a part in its development. It addresses the needs of professionals, students and teachers directly involved in psychodrama and will also be of interest to professionals in other fields.

Inspired by the writings of J.L. Moreno, the contributors to this volume present a wide range of clinical and educational applications of psychodrama with various client groups, problems and settings. Part One explores the integration of psychodrama and sociometry with other therapy methods including structural family therapy, art therapy, and group therapy. Part Two describes innovative applications of action methods to different groups, such as trauma survivors, and the lesbian, gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Applications of psychodrama in education, training and consultation with such diverse professionals as lawyers, physicians and psychiatrists concludes this comprehensive text. For Further Information, Please Click Here

The authors explore how psychodrama can be used as an art to help human beings express emotion and thought and find their own spontaneity and creativity in the process. A variety of groups are featured in the book and include adolescents, autistic children, offenders, anorexics and alcoholics.