Drama Games: Techniques for Self-Development (Paperback)

by Tian Dayton Ph.D. (Author) "Goals: 1. To allow both mind and body to relax..." (more)
Key Phrases: pause between inhalation, aloud slowly, lead player, Don't Talk, Don't Trust, One-Minute Monologue (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Experiential therapy is used to locate repressed feelings and re-experience them. Once we feel them in the present, we can come to terms with them and put them in their proper perspective. We can use our energies to truly enter into the moment with all our awareness. The quality of our happiness lies in our ability to experience what is around us. Feelings are often attached to roles. When we experiment with different roles we gain information about our personal history and play with new possibilities for change. Games help us to increase concentration, develop thinking skills and to coordinate thought, emotion and action. They are a way to allow humor and fun to enter into the therapeutic process.

This book is designed to help participants get in touch with and express buried feelings in a safe and structured way and to offer training in the ability to be creative and spontaneous.

About the Author
Tian Dayton, who holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and an M.A. in educational psychology, is a therapist in private practice in New York City. A fellow of the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama and a faculty member of the Drama Therapy Department at New York University, Dayton presents psychodrama workshops and training nationwide.


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Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: HCI (March 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155874021X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558740211
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drama Games is a must for expressive therapists, August 31, 2000

By	Lisa S. (Watertown, WI USA) - See all my reviews

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!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars User-friendly book chock full of ideas, August 2, 2002

By	Karen Carnabucci (Racine, WI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, Most Useful Book On The Subject, September 6, 2007

By	Sally Atman (Redondo Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.