Customer Reviews

Drama Games: Techniques for Self-Development

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I am an art therapist at a psychiatric hospital. I recently started a psychodrama/dramatic expression therapy group with individuals who have eating disorders. I was searching for a book that would provide some sample psychodrama group experiences. Quite honestly, when I ordered this book, I had no idea what it contained, but I thought it sounded useful. As it turned out, this book is just what I was searching for! The author provides a variety of ideas for both individual and group exercises, many of which utilize the creative modalities of both art and drama. The exercises speak to individuals who come from co-dependent families/dysfunctional homes, and I have found that the exercises can be easily adapted for individuals ranging from children to adults who have experienced the effects of various addictions or diagnoses and are struggling with the resulting emotions. The exercises encourage self-awareness and playful, creative self-expression. Each exercise includes goals, steps, and variations. There is even a section on Guided Imagery. I would highly recommend this book to experiential/expressive arts therapists who are looking for creative therapeutic techniques for fostering self-development!

Tian Dayton offers a compendium of useful ways to use improvisation and theater games in a variety of group settings. The ideas are based on psychodrama, the action method developed by Dr. Jacob Moreno in 1921, but the practitioner need not know all about psychodrama to make use of these ideas. On the other hand, it just might start you on a wonderful journey to learn more about how action methods and drama can support growth and change in fascinating -- and even fun -- ways.

I've taught theatre arts for almost forty years -- primarily acting and scriptwriting. I also work as a drama coach and often find myself dealing with client's personal (rather than professional) problems. I studied psychodrama in college, but didn't pursue it full time.

I've retired from campus work and now work as a drama and life coach. It feels natural for me to use drama therapy. I've read all the books listed here at Amazon, along with textbooks on the subject. In all honesty, Tian Dayton's simple techniques are the most realistically useful.

Thankfully, the first section of the book contains exercises to be used alone. Many life coaching clients don't have the actor's mentality and don't want to "act out" in front of a group or even a life coach, so these exercises make great homework. The second section of the book is full of great group exercises. Section Three contains guided imagery, which I don't personally find as useful as the first two sections but am certain others love.

None of the games in this book are threatening or go so deep you (or your class or clients) will run screaming into the night. In short, these exercises are safe -- safe for adults and children.

All in all, "Drama Therapy" is a terrific book. Whether you're buying it for your own private use (it's a great self-help book) or for work, you won't be disappointed.

This book is chocked full of activities for self-discovery, and many are useful for a group therapy setting. There are even suggestions on how to vary the activities and discuss results with the group. However, I found that the majority of the activities have nothing to do with drama and would be better suited for an art therapy or journaling group.

I appreciate this collection of warm-ups and great ideas to develop deeper work (with my clients). Thanks Tian for sharing you knowlege.