The Drama Within: Psychodrama and Experiential Therapy

by Tian Dayton

Describes the foundation concepts of psychodrama, an experimental therapy technique, and explains how psychodrama can be used to reduce trauma, release repressed emotions, and learn new behavior

Genres: Psychology

292 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

Tian Dayton has a masters in educational psychology and a PhD in clinical psychology and is a board certified trainer in psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy. She is a certified Montessori teacher. Dr. Dayton is the director of The New York Psychodrama Training Institute. She is a nationally renowned speaker, expert, and consultant in psychodrama, trauma and addiction, ACoAs and self help related issues. Dr, Dayton was on the faculty at NYU for eight years teaching psychodrama. Dr. Dayton is a fellow of the American Society of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy ASGPP, winner of their scholar’s award, editor in chief of the Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy and sits on the professional standards committee. She is also the winner of The Mona Mansell Award and The Ackermann Black Awaard. Dr. Dayton has been a guest expert on NBC, CNN, MSNBC, Montel, Rikki Lake, John Walsh, Geraldo. Tian blogs for Counselor Magazine, Recovery View and The Huffington Post

From the author's website.

Reviews

[Danni Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my Expressive Arts Therapy class this semester, we had an assignment where we were each to read a book, write a report on that book, and then respond to a classmate's report. This was the book my classmate read to which I wrote a response, and based on my classmate's report, I decided I wanted to read the book myself. It's a really good book, albeit a little outdated. It includes a lot of useful, practical information about psychodrama and many exercises which are explained in detail. I'm sure there are more up-to-date books now, but this seems like a good starting point for learning about psychodrama and the trajectory on which it's developed.

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ajungem sa ne cunoastem pe noi insine prin intermediul experientei directe. Doar prin angajarea totala in viata intra in scena senzatiile, sentimentele si gandurile noastre. A face inseamna a cunoaste – ajungem sa cunoastem ceea ce facem, iar ceea ce cunoastem este stocat in mintea noastra ca baza pentru invatare. Putem vorbi despre inot, carti citite pe acest subiect sau putem exersa miscarile pe uscat – dar pana nu intram in apa, nu avem experienta directa a inotului. La fel este si cu viata: pana nu facem, nu stim. De ce ar trebui terapia sa fie diferita? Terapia experientiala ne ofera o scena sigura pe care putem face si sti, permitand sinelui nostru interior sa iasa in fata astfel incat sa putem examina ceea ce am acceptat ca fiind adevarat despre o situatie sau despre noi insine. Adesea reducem ideea de invatare la o clasa de scoala; dar din punctul de vedere al modului cum informatia este stocata de creier, toata viata noastra este o clasa. Adesea este continutul emotional al unui eveniment anume sau al actului de predare cel care determina impactul unei anumite experiente de invatare. Achizitiile timpurii in invatare formeaza baza pentru achizitiile mai tarzii. Ceea ce acceptam ca fiind adevarat despre noi insine in primii ani din viata devine fundatia pe care ne construim credintele despre noi insine pe care le purtam cu noi in adolescenta si mai apoi in viata de adult. Ceea ce ni se spune despre noi insine cat suntem mici, fie prin mesaje verbale, fie prin atmosfera emotionala, tinde sa formeze inceputul mitologiei noastre personale. Creierul stocheaza amintirile in clusteri numiti ansamble de celule, ca fiind evenimente interconectate sau asociate. Activitatea de invatare construieste si darama celule, lansand un curent biologic prin creier: intr-o perioada de la 5 la 10 secunde, un eveniment de o jumatate de secunda produce o modificare structurala sau fizica in creier. Nu in mod surprinzator, amintirile bogate – cele mai colorate, cele mai ridicole si cele mai dureroase – sunt acelea cu o probabilitate mai mare de a fi rechemate de creier.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

i studied with Tian in NYC and really enjoyed re-reading this text so many years later given my additional education and work experience. i can't wait to use psychodrama in clinical practice..