Psychodrama Therapy at Ascendant
Ascendant Provides a Truly Holistic Recovery Experience
Psychodrama Therapy invites you to become the author, director, and star of your personal narrative. Unlike traditional talk therapy, this innovative approach harnesses the power of action and interaction to breathe new life into stagnant patterns and unexplored emotions. At Ascendant, your experiences aren’t just discussed – they’re reimagined and reconstructed in real time, offering tangible pathways to growth and healing.
Our expert facilitators create a safe space where spontaneity flourishes, allowing you to experiment with new roles, challenge old scripts, and discover the versatility of your own character. Through the mirror of others and the magic of enactment, you’ll gain profound insights that words alone can’t capture.
What is Psychodrama Therapy?
Psychodrama Therapy is an innovative therapeutic approach that combines elements of theater and psychology to provide individuals with a unique therapeutic experience.[1] Founded by psychiatrist J.L. Moreno, psychodrama is grounded in the belief that human beings are essentially actors who engage in social roles to cope with their life situations.
In psychodrama therapy, clients are encouraged to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences by acting them out in a supportive group environment. This process involves various techniques such as role-playing, improvisation, mirroring, and guided imagery. With the guidance of a trained therapist or “director”, clients participate in a range of scenes where they act out their personal issues and experiences. This allows them to gain insight into their behavior patterns, the roles they assume in their relationships, and the way they interact with others.
The active and experiential nature of psychodrama therapy allows for a more comprehensive understanding of one’s inner world, while also providing opportunities for practicing new behaviors and exploring alternative solutions to challenging situations.[3] By physically embodying and acting out various scenarios, people can gain deeper awareness and understanding of their emotional experiences, which can help them create positive change in their lives.
How Does Psychodrama Therapy Work?
Psychodrama therapy in New York is an action-oriented approach to personal growth and healing, which typically takes place in a group setting. It operates under the guidance of a trained therapist or who facilitates the therapeutic process through various techniques and exercises:[4]
Group formation
Participants join a psychodrama therapy group where they are encouraged to establish trust, safety, and a sense of belonging among members.
Warm-Up Phase
The session starts with warm-up activities designed to help participants become more present, grounded, and connected with their emotions. These activities might involve movement, verbal sharing, and interactive exercises to promote cohesion within the group
Action Phase
Under the guidance of the director, the protagonist (group member who presents their issue) enacts scenes related to their personal experiences or concerns. Other group members play auxiliary roles, supporting the protagonist’s exploration of their situation.
Role Reversal
One of the essential techniques employed in psychodrama therapy is role reversal. In this process, the protagonist assumes the role of another person involved in their situation, which helps foster empathy, understanding, and an alternative perspective on their experiences.
Sharing and Integration
After the action phase, the group shares their insights, emotions, and observations from the enactment. This phase allows participants to process their experiences and integrate the learnings into their personal lives.
Throughout the psychodrama therapy process, participants explore their emotions, beliefs, and relationships by physically embodying them in a safe and supportive environment. This active approach allows them to gain deeper insight into their behaviors, feelings, and experiences, while also practicing new ways of interacting with others and navigating challenging situations.
Substance Abuse
Psychodrama Therapy for Substance Abuse at Ascendant
Psychodrama therapy plays a crucial role in helping people overcome substance abuse issues. Recognizing the value of this experiential form of therapy, Ascendant integrates psychodrama into our comprehensive addiction treatment programs to foster deep emotional healing and lasting recovery.
Ascendant’s commitment to employing evidence-based and holistic treatment approaches reflects its dedication to providing compassionate care to those seeking freedom from addiction.
Efficacy of Psychodrama Therapy
The effectiveness of psychodrama therapy for both substance abuse and mental health treatment has been extensively examined across several studies. Research indicates that psychodrama techniques can effectively reduce anxiety levels in patients, and a comprehensive analysis of psychodrama interventions indicated a large improvement for its participants, comparable to or surpassing the commonly reported effect size of 0.50 for group psychotherapy in general.[5, 6]
Studies have also shown positive outcomes for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well.[7] Participants in psychodrama groups experienced more significant decreases in depression compared to inpatients who did not participate in such groups. Furthermore, clinically meaningful changes in PTSD symptoms were observed, supported by both quantitative data and qualitative survey responses.
These findings collectively suggest that psychodrama therapy can be an efficacious treatment modality for various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD – conditions that often co-occur with addiction.
Psychodrama Therapy
What to Expect from Psychodrama Therapy
Psychodrama therapy is a unique and dynamic form of group therapy that uses guided dramatic action to examine problems or issues. Here’s what you can typically expect when participating in psychodrama therapy
A Group Setting
Sessions usually take place in a group, allowing for interaction and support from other participants.
Director Guidance
A trained therapist acts as the director, guiding the action and facilitating the process.
Sharing and Discussion
After the action phase, the members of the group typically engages in a sharing and discussion period to process the experience.
Emotional Intensity
Sessions can be emotionally charged as participants explore deep-seated issues and feelings.
Physical Movement
Unlike traditional talk therapy, psychodrama often involves physical movement and interaction.
Creativity and Spontaneity
Participants are encouraged to be creative and spontaneous in their responses and actions, increasing the group dynamics.
Multiple Sessions
Psychodrama therapy usually involves a series of sessions over time, allowing for in-depth exploration of various issues.
Confidentiality
As with all therapy, confidentiality is maintained within the group to create a safe environment for sharing.
Psychodrama Therapy at Ascendant
Experience the transformative power of Psychodrama Therapy at Ascendant. Our expert therapists use innovative techniques to help you explore your inner world, confront challenges, and unlock your potential for growth and healing. Whether you’re dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or seeking personal development, our supportive group environment offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery and change.
Don’t let your past hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards a more empowered future and contact Ascendant today to learn more about our Psychodrama Therapy sessions to start your journey of self-transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drama Therapy in New York
Psychodrama can be conducted both individually and in group settings. Group psychodrama often involves interactions with other participants, which can enhance the experience by providing diverse perspectives and feedback. In individual therapy, the focus is on the client and therapist, allowing for personalized exploration and enactments tailored specifically to the client’s needs.
Yes, psychodrama therapy can be particularly effective for trauma recovery. By reenacting and exploring traumatic experiences within a controlled and supportive environment, clients can process emotions, gain new insights, and work through unresolved issues. The techniques used in psychodrama, such as role reversal and empty chair work, can help individuals externalize and reframe their experiences, facilitating healing and integration.
Psychodrama helps with interpersonal relationships by enabling people to explore and understand their own and others’ behaviors and emotions through role-playing and dramatization. By acting out scenarios and engaging in role reversals, clients can gain new perspectives on their interactions, practice empathy, and address unresolved conflicts. This process can lead to improved communication, understanding, and resolution of relationship issues, working in tandem with others and a psychodrama therapist for increased well-being.
[1] APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Dictionary.apa.org. https://dictionary.apa.org/psychodrama on August 9, 2024
[2] López-González, M. A., Morales-Landazábal, P., & Topa, G. (2021). Psychodrama Group Therapy for Social Issues: A Systematic Review of Controlled Clinical Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4442. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8122755/ on August 9, 2024
[3] Orkibi, H., & Feniger-Schaal, R. (2019). Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications. PLOS ONE, 14(2), e0212575. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380607/ on August 9, 2024
[4] Cruz, A., Sales, C. M. D., Alves, P., & Moita, G. (2018, June 29). The core techniques of Morenian Psychodrama: A systematic review of literature. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01263/full on August 9, 2024
[5] Toker Ugurlu, Tugce, Kalkan Oguzhanoglu, Nalan, & Atesci, Figen. (2020). Effect of Psychodrama Group Therapy on Remission and Relapse in Opioid Dependence. Archives of Neuropsychiatry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7481980/ on August 9, 2024
[6] Orkibi, H., & Feniger-Schaal, R. (2019). Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications. PLOS ONE, 14(2), e0212575. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380607/ on August 9, 2024
[7] Giacomucci, S., Marquit, J., Walsh, K. M., & Saccarelli, R. (2022). A mixed-methods study on psychodrama treatment for PTSD and depression in inpatient substance use treatment: A comparison of outcomes pre-pandemic and during Covid-19. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 81, 101971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2022.101971 on August 9, 2024