Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Date of Graduation
8-1-2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Department of Graduate Psychology
Advisor(s)
Kenneth Critchfield
Anne L. Stewart
Cara Meixner
Abstract
Drama Therapy is an active and experiential form of psychotherapy that is useful for group and individual therapy with a variety of populations (Dintino & Johnston, 1996; Emunah, 1999; Johnson, 2009; Landy, 1996, 2009; Sajnani, 2010). Often, there is ample work within the therapy process on understanding and shifting interpersonal patterns. Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (Benjamin, 2006; 2018) offers a set of organizing principles emphasizing how early relationship patterns are copied in present relationships with self and other in order to conceptualize and guide treatment, focusing on in-session processes (Critchfield & Benjamin, 2006). The potential for integrating Drama Therapy and interpersonal modalities such as Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy is rich, as experiential interventions invite clients to engage through creativity and embodiment, reaching the “primitive brain” (Benjamin, 2018) where relational learning can take place. This mixed-methods study investigated a group protocol that integrates these approaches, evaluating the group processes and subsequent changes in participants’ interpersonal patterns and distress levels. The analysis of this group indicated that adaptive change occurred through factors of group connectedness and cohesion, experiential processes, validating experiences, identifying barriers and red patterns, finding new ways of being and desired future states, and integrating new ways of being within group sessions and in outside experiences. The adaptive change included measurable symptom reduction, particularly in areas most targeted by the group including lessening of functional (relationship) difficulties, as well as adaptive changes in self-treatment.
Recommended Citation
Dobner-Pereira, Julia, "Healing attachment wounds: Drama therapy within an interpersonal theoretical frame as a group treatment modality" (2021). Dissertations, 2020-current. 40.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/diss202029/40
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Other Theatre and Performance Studies Commons, Social Justice Commons
