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Psychodrama
Chapter 8: Theory & Practice of Group
Counseling. Gerald Corey


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Introduction to Psychodrama
Psychodrama is an
action technique in
group therapy which
allows clients to
explore their
problems through role
playing and other
dramatic devices to
gain behavioral skills
and insights. (Corey,
2008, p. 190).
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Creation of Psychodrama
Created in the 1930s by J.L. Moreno and
Further Developed by his wife Ezra Toman
Moreno and other followers.
Role playing is an example of a psycho
dramatic method.
The key feature of psychodrama is that it
provides an opportunity to try new solutions
and reactions to a given scenario. It is
practice for real life situations and to try new
roles.
This method helps promote creativity, problem
solving, communication, and self-awareness.
(Corey, 2008, p. 191).
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Key Concepts and Perspectives
Creativity: Moreno believed that an essential feature of therapy is
to facilitate the clients creativity in exploring themselves and
discovering new coping skills for life.
Spontaneity: The best way to encourage creativity is through
spontaneous exploratory activities. Moreno sought to implement
activities which fostered the courage to improvise.
Working in the present moment: An important element of psycho
drama is to reinvent previously experienced events and learn new
reactions through role playing.
Encounter: Group members must connect with one another in a
meaningful and genuine manner.
Tele: Moreno referred to this as the cement which holds groups
together. Similar to the concept of rapport. (Corey, 2008, p.191-
193).
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Key Concepts and Perspectives
continued
Surplus Reality: Re-enactments of the clients psychological
world without the constraints of reality.
Catharsis and Insight: Catharsis is the release of emotions
during psychodrama. Insights are the cognitive shifts in
awareness that are produced by the catharsis.
Reality Testing: The testing of behaviors in scenarios that
would potentially not be socially acceptable in a safe
environment.
Role Theory: Morenos idea that we are all actors engaging in
improvisation in daily life on the stage of life. (Corey, 2008,
p.195-196).

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Role of the Group Leader
Also referred to as the psychodrama Director, the group
leader is the producer, the facilitator and catalyst, observer
and analyzer.

The Directors primary responsibility is to help engage the
group in improvisation and creating an environment where
spontaneity is encouraged. (Corey, 2008, p. 197).

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Necessary Players in Psychodrama
The Protagonist: The focus of the psychdramatic enactment.
This individual presents the problem to be explored. Group
members should feel comfortable to decline the role of
protagonist or volunteer should they desire to.
The Auxiliary Egos: The supporting roles, usually portraying
significant people in the protagonists life.
The Audience: The audience is the remainder of the group who
observe the enactment.
The Stage: Area where the enactment takes place. (Corey,
2008, p. 198-199).

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Psychodrama continued
Classic psychodrama
involves a series of
phases termed warm-
up, protagonist-
centered work, and
sharing.
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Phase 1: The Warm-Up
Initial activities to build group trust and
coherence. For example the group leader
may introduce the purpose of the role-plays
and then interview each group member about
potential scenarios that they may wish to
explore through a dramatic experience. The
goal is to foster spontaneity and a willingness
to try new behaviors and a sense of
playfulness. (Corey, 2008, p. 200).
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Phase 2: Action Phase
The Action phase is
engaging the the role-play
scenario.
The goal is to bring
awareness to feelings or
attitudes the scenario elicits
that perhaps the protagonist
was not previously aware of.
Important to avoid
commentaries and instead
have the protagonist engage
in alternative responses to a
given scenario. (Corey,
2008, p. 201-202).
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Phase 3: Sharing
and Discussing
Group members
should discuss how the
enactment affected
them and avoid
analyzing the
protagonist or offering
advice.
Sharing with the group
leads to bonding and a
sense that one is not
alone
It takes courage to
share so the
protagonist deserves to
be honored. (Corey,
2008, p.203-205).
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Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures
Self-presentation: The protagonist introduces the
situation to be enacted.
Role Reversal: The protagonist plays the role of
someone other than themselves in their chosen
scenario. Considered one of the most powerful tools in
psychodrama.
Double: An auxiliary character plays the part of the
protagonists inner self.
Soliloquy: Protagonist imagines themselves in a place
where they are free to vocalize their thoughts.
The Empty Chair: Jacob Moreno originated this
technique which was later adopted by the Gestalt
movement.
Mirror Technique: Aimed at fostering self-reflection.
Another member mirrors the actions and gestures of the
protagonist.
Future Projection: Enactments designed to help group
members work out future scenarios about which they
have concerns. (Corey, 2008, p.206-210).
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Therapeutic Techniques and
Procedures Continued
The Magic Shop: A warm-up technique in which the participant
imagines themselves in a shop full of jars which contain
different personality traits. The participant then expresses these
qualities and then exchange them for another.
Replay: Trying a scenario again.
Role Training: A new reaction being tested by a protagonist in
order to experience how it feels to act out a new behavior.
(Corey, 2008, p. 211).

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Psychodrama and Group Work in
Schools
Role-playing can be useful in schools and help students to gain
perspective and a way to integrate emotions and creativity.
Some techniques in classical psychodrama are too intense for
children, adolescents, or a school setting.
Role-reversal can help build empathy and is an appropriate
technique to employ with this age group. (Corey, 2008, p.212).

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Psychodrama and Multicultural
Populations
If English is not a participants native
language the participant is
encouraged to speak in their native
language as this allows them to more
fully experience their emotions.
Afterwards the participant can
summarize some of their experience
for the rest of the group.
If a group member is not comfortable
with self disclosure many of the
techniques in psychodrama would not
be appropriate but there is much to be
gained as an audience member
observing the enactments of others.
(Corey, 2008, p. 213).
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Evaluations of Psychodrama
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Evaluations of Psychodrama
Contributions and Strengths: Action oriented approaches allows
participants to experience a given scenario in a mode other than
simply talking about it. Allows participants to see and discover
alternate ways of dealing with those around them.
Integration with other Theories: Many of these techniques can be
employed and provide rich material. For example Gestalt therapy
successfully incorporates the empty chair technique.
Limitations: Group leaders must take caution when dealing with a
participant who has significant disturbances and must consider the
safety of other group members. Has limited value for participants who
are very uncomfortable with sharing and acting out scenarios. These
techniques may not be appropriate for those with social anxieties or
reserved personalities.
Group leaders should have received training as a safeguard for
practicing these techniques. (Corey, 2008, p. 214-217).


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References
Corey, G.(2008). Theory and practice of group counseling (8
th

ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.