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.

Psychodrama and other action methods are especially helpful in the treatment of the classic eating disorders as well as dieting struggles, body dissatisfaction and associated issues of fear, sadness, silence and shame. This book provides clinicians with sound theoretical information, practical treatment guidelines and a wealth of clinically-tested action structures and interventions. The authors describe how they have introduced action methods to work with a diverse range of clients, and suggest ways in which psychodrama practitioners, experiential therapists and others may integrate these methods into their practice. Offering fresh ideas for tailoring psychodramatic standards such as The Living Newspaper, Magic Shop and the Social Atom to eating disorder issues, they provide extensive examples of psychodrama interventions - classic and specially adapted for eating disorders - for both the experienced practitioner and those new to experiential therapies. They also explain how psychodrama can be used in combination with other expressive, holistic and complementary approaches, including family constellations, music, art, imagery, ritual, Five Element Acupuncture, yoga, Reiki and other energy work. This pioneering book is essential reading for practitioners and students of psychodrama, drama therapy, experiential psychotherapy, cognitive and expressive arts therapies and mental health professionals, as well as professionals interested in complementary health modalities.

First published in 1993, The Inner World Outside has become a classic in its field. Paul Holmes walks the reader through the ‘inner world’ of object relationships and the corresponding ‘outside world’ shared by others in which real relationships exist. Trained as a psychotherapist in both psychoanalytical and psychodramatic methods, Paul Holmes has written a well informed, clear introduction to Object Relations Theory and its relation to psychodrama. He explores the links between the theories of J.L. Moreno, the founder of psychodrama, and Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, and presents a stimulating synthesis. Each chapter opens with an account of part of a psychodrama session which focus on particular aspects of psychodrama or object relations theory illuminating the concepts or techniques using the clinical material from the group to illustrate basic psychoanalytic concepts in action. Published here with a new introduction from the author that links the book’s content to concepts of attachment theory, the book weaves together the very different concepts in an inspiring and comprehensive way that will ensure the book continues to be used by mental health and arts therapies professional, whether in training or practice.

In a world where natural, social and political disasters are a daily reality, the therapist is increasingly called upon to find rapid and effective methods of treating the survivors of trauma, including sexual abuse, torture, war-related trauma, addiction, depression and bereavement. The contributors to this book provide persuasive evidence of how psychodrama can safely be used to create paths of change for even the most severe traumatization and they also discuss the possible transmission of trauma patterns across generations. Research following World War II, neurobiological studies and other recent research into PTSD has shown that many trauma symptoms are unconscious, non-verbal, right-brained experiences which cannot be accessed through talk therapy. Psychodrama creates a place to act out unprocessed trauma within the containment of therapy, in order to stop the obsessive repetition of the past.Psychodrama with Trauma Survivors documents the impact of trauma and explores the development of treatment, providing integrated models of experiential treatment for clinicians to use. It is an invaluable resource for those interested in psychodrama and those working with trauma survivors.

Again available! This handy volume collects the best and most important writings of J.L. Moreno in one concise and accessible place. This unique collection explores Moreno's thought in developing psychodrama and sociometry, with his strong emphasis on spontaneity and creativity. The book discusses both basic and advanced concepts and techniques of psychodramatic treatment. Thte reader will find extensive examples from Moreno's own cases containing verbatim transcripts that illustrate the give-and-take between Moreno, his patients, and the audience observers. Jonathan Fox introduces the book with a brief overview of Moreno's life and ideas and places him in the context of his time and in the field of psychotherapy. Fox's notes throughout underscore significant aspects of the selections for the practitioner and student.

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.

One-to-One Psychodrama Psychotherapy: Applications and Technique will be an invaluable resource and manual to the field for those training in or practising psychodrama psychotherapy in a one-to-one frame. This book brings together for the first time current thinking and practice, developed and refined at the London Centre for Psychodrama Group and Individual Psychotherapy. Divided in two parts, this book provides a comprehensive background to the field and an exploration of the theory and techniques discussed, drawing upon the experience of practitioners in their one-to-one practice. Case studies are presented and discussed across diverse issues, such as anxiety, bereavement, shame, eating disorders, dissociative identity disorder, multi-agency work with children and brief interventions within an organisational setting. One-to-One Psychodrama Psychotherapy will appeal to all experienced practitioners as well as those wishing to work with psychodrama psychotherapy on an individual basis.

Internationally recognised practitioners of the psychodramatic method discuss the theory and practice of psychodrama since Moreno's death. Key concepts of group psychotherapy are explained and their development illustrated.

The practice of psychodrama allows participants to create a world for themselves, free of usual rules and constraints. This freedom from all ordinary conventions is what Moreno called 'Surplus Reality', and is one of the most vital, curative and mysterious elements of psychodrama. In this book, Leif Dag Blomkvist and Zerka Moreno explore the depths of this long-neglected concept. In addition, each chapter is prefaced by Leif Dag Blomkvist's explanations and illuminations of the forces and energies - from early religious rituals and festivals to the art of Surrealism - which have influenced psychodrama. Psychodramatists and mental health professionals who wish to take therapy beyond the 'verbal' will find the book valuable reading.

1. Impressionistic introduction : a recollection in three voices -- 2. Jacob Moreno, the god syndrome, and children's psychodrama -- 3. Modification of Morenian technique in Adlerian psychodrama with children -- 4. Before psychodrama starts -- 5. Phases of children's psychodrama -- 6. Preventive and therapeutic functions of children's psychodrama -- 7. Group therapy with abused children -- 8. Behavioral problems -- 9. The role of the psychodramatists -- 10. The role of the group in the socialization of the children -- 11. Fairy tale and therapy -- 12. Methods for dramatizing the fairy tale -- 13. Virtual world and psychodrama -- 14. Final word on the function of psychodrama with children.