Cherry Ann DL.

de Vera April 15, 2023

PART 2 | THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO GROUP COUNSELING

Psychodrama 5. Tele
Introduction This refers to the idea that individuals can project their internal experiences and
Psychodrama is a group therapy technique that uses role-play and dramatic action to emotions onto others. In psychodrama, tele is used to help individuals explore their
explore personal issues and gain new perspectives. It was created in the mid-1930s by interpersonal relationships and to gain insight into their feelings.
J. L. Moreno and later developed by his wife, Zerka Toeman Moreno, and by many other 6. Surplus reality
followers. This refers to the idea that individuals can create and inhabit imaginary worlds that are
different from their reality. In psychodrama, the surplus reality is used to help
Key Concepts: individuals explore their fantasies and to gain new perspectives on their lives.
Psychodrama is based on several key concepts, including creativity, spontaneity, 7. Catharsis and insight
working in the present moment, encounter, tele, surplus reality, catharsis and insight, Catharsis and insight are two key goals of psychodrama. Catharsis refers to the release
reality testing, and role theory. of emotions, while insight involves gaining new perspectives and understanding
1. Creativity oneself and one's relationships more deeply.
This refers to the ability to generate new ideas, concepts, and connections between 8. Reality testing
existing ideas uniquely. In psychodrama, creativity is encouraged to help individuals This refers to the process of evaluating one's perceptions and beliefs against objective
explore their inner worlds and gain new insights into their issues. reality. In psychodrama, reality testing is used to help individuals gain a more accurate
2. Spontaneity understanding of themselves and the world around them.
This refers to the ability to act in the moment without pre-planning or overthinking. 9. Role theory
Psychodrama values spontaneity because it helps individuals to tap into their natural This refers to the idea that individuals play different roles in their lives and that these
impulses and emotional responses, which can be useful in therapy. roles can influence their behavior and attitudes. In psychodrama, role theory is used to
3. Working in the present moment help individuals explore their identities and to gain new perspectives on their
This refers to the idea that individuals should focus on the here and now rather than relationships and interactions with others.
dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Psychodrama encourages individuals
to explore their present experiences to gain new insights into their lives. Role and Functions of the Psychodrama Group Leader
4. Encounter The role of a psychodrama group leader is to facilitate a therapeutic process that
This refers to the idea that individuals can learn about themselves and others through involves enacting past, present, or future life events to explore and gain insights into
direct interaction and communication. In psychodrama, the encounter is used to help individual or group issues. The psychodrama director has three roles, namely producer,
individuals explore their relationships and gain new perspectives on their interactions facilitator, and observer. They help in selecting the protagonist, organizing the
with others. psychodrama, and deciding the appropriate techniques to explore the person's
problem.

Reference: Theory & Practice of Group Counseling | 8th Edition | Gerald Corey
GC 214 [Group Guidance Technique] 1
The Basic Elements of Psychodrama 2. THE ACTION PHASE
Psychodrama is a therapeutic technique that involves a director, a protagonist, auxiliary The action phase of psychodrama involves enacting and working through past, present,
egos, an audience, a stage, and a range of techniques. or anticipated events to bring out underlying thoughts, attitudes, and feelings. The
Director leader helps the protagonist focus on their concern by asking focusing questions or
The director is responsible for leading and facilitating the psychodrama session. making statements, and scenes progress from peripheral to central issues. The
Protagonist duration of the action phase varies, and behavioral practice is arranged to help
The protagonist is the individual presenting the problem or issue they want to explore translate group learning to everyday life.
in the session. 3. THE SHARING AND DISCUSSION PHASE
Auxiliary egos In the sharing and discussion phase of psychodrama, group members express how the
The auxiliary egos are individuals who play significant roles in the protagonist's life, enactment affected them personally. Sharing guidelines include not offering advice or
such as family members, friends, or coworkers. analysis to the protagonist, and sharing personal experiences and feelings. The director
Audience leads a discussion to maximize feedback and initiate closure. Closure depends on the
The audience is composed of individuals who observe the session and provide feedback client, the situation, and the group, and involves shedding roles, cognitive integration,
to the protagonist and auxiliary egos. and identifying unfinished business. The director encourages members to apply what
Stage they’ve learned in the group to daily living, summarize session highlights, raise
The stage is the physical space where the psychodrama session takes place. It is often questions about the group process, and make plans for the next session. It is important
set up with props and other items to help create a realistic environment for the action. to deal with unfinished business before ending a session.
Techniques
Psychodrama utilizes techniques like role-playing, mirroring, and doubling to help the Application: Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures
protagonist improve their emotional awareness and relationships, leading to the The application of psychodrama is based on a range of techniques and procedures that
development of new coping mechanisms and behaviors. help to increase self-awareness, and insight, and practice new behaviors. The following
are some of the techniques and procedures used in psychodrama:
Phases of the Psychodrama Process SELF-PRESENTATION
Psychodrama involves three phases: warm-up, action, and sharing and discussion. The protagonist introduces themselves to the group, shares their background, and
1. WARM-UP PHASE describes the problem they want to explore.
Warming up is the initial phase of psychodrama that gradually increases involvement ROLE REVERSAL
and spontaneity to encourage maximum participation. It includes physical techniques The protagonist and an auxiliary ego switch roles to gain a new perspective on the
and activities like establishing trust, identifying group themes, and finding protagonists. situation.
Members should feel secure enough to trust others in the group, and structured and DOUBLE
unstructured techniques can be used. During the warm-up phase, members should be The auxiliary plays the role of the protagonist's "inner self" and expresses the thoughts
reassured that the working environment is safe, they can decide what to reveal and and feelings that might otherwise go unexpressed, which can help the protagonist
when, and they can stop whenever they want to. Anything that facilitates group increase their awareness of inner conflicts and repressed feelings and even express
cohesion, trust, and spontaneity is useful. them. Multiple doubles can be used to represent and embody the various sides of the
protagonist.

Reference: Theory & Practice of Group Counseling | 8th Edition | Gerald Corey
GC 214 [Group Guidance Technique] 2
 SOLILOQUY can experiment with new behaviors in a safe environment and receive support,
The protagonist imagines themselves in a solitary place and expressing their thoughts reinforcement, and feedback on their effectiveness. The aim is to expand or refine an
and feelings aloud. individual's role repertoire and acquire and rehearse specific interpersonal skills.
THE EMPTY CHAIR
It involves placing an empty chair on stage and imagining someone sitting in it. The Applying Psychodrama to Group Work in Schools
protagonist then addresses the imagined person and shares their feelings and Psychodrama can be adapted to work with a variety of populations, including children
thoughts. and adolescents in school settings. In schools, psychodrama can be used to address
MIRROR issues such as bullying, peer pressure, academic stress, and social skills.
It involves another member mirroring the protagonist's postures, gestures, and words
during an enactment, fostering self-reflection. It allows the protagonist to see Applying Psychodrama to Multicultural Populations
themselves as others do, helping them develop a more objective self-assessment and Psychodrama can also be adapted to work with multicultural populations. The use of
understand discrepancies between their self-perception and how they come across to cultural themes and stories can help participants to explore their cultural identities and
others. gain new insights into their experiences.
FUTURE PROJECTION
Is used to help group members express and clarify their concerns about the future by Evaluation of Psychodrama
acting out an anticipated event in the present moment. It can be used to address Like any therapeutic approach, the effectiveness of psychodrama depends on several
wishes, fears, and goals related to a particular issue. Participants create a future factors, including the skill and training of the group leader, the suitability of the method
scenario with selected people and bring it into the present to gain a new perspective for the individual, and the group atmosphere. Evaluation studies have found positive
on the problem. They can act out an ideal scenario or a worst-case scenario. outcomes for psychodrama in areas such as reducing anxiety and depression,
THE MAGIC SHOP improving self-esteem and social skills, and increasing empathy and insight.
It is a warm-up exercise that involves the protagonist imagining a shop with different
containers that hold personal qualities. The protagonist can exchange a personal Reference
quality they possess with a quality they desire from the containers by bargaining with Corey, G. (2018). Theory & Practice of Group Counseling (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
the auxiliary playing the "shopkeeper". It can be useful for individuals who have
difficulty assigning priorities to their values, but it must be timed appropriately and
cannot be repeated too often with the same group.
REPLAY
It involves redoing an action to increase expressiveness or vary it in some way. In the
context of psychodrama, the replay technique is used to increase awareness,
responsibility, and role-playing abilities.
ROLE TRAINING-
Role training is a technique used in psychodrama group therapy to help clients develop
more skills and confidence in dealing with situations that previously felt awkward or
threatening. It involves the systematic use of techniques such as replay, mirror, role
reversal, feedback, and modeling from the group. Through role training, participants
Reference: Theory & Practice of Group Counseling | 8th Edition | Gerald Corey
GC 214 [Group Guidance Technique] 3