Routledge An Introduction to Psychotherapeutic Playback Theater: Hall of Mirrors on Stage (The New International Library of Group Analysis)

An Introduction to Psychotherapeutic Playback Theater is a comprehensive book presenting Psychotherapeutic Playback Theater as a unique form of group psychotherapy. This pioneering book is the first of its kind, examining this new approach, the theory behind it, and the numerous considerations and diverse possibilities involved in using the technique to promote a significant reflective process among participants. Informed by years of Psychotherapeutic Playback Theater practice and research, the authors detail a collective-creative method that allows for the creation of a therapeutic experience centered on feelings of belonging, acceptance, visibility and liberation. It is presented to the reader as a path toward their development and growth as a conductor working in this newly evolving field of group therapy. The book will be of great interest to dramatherapy students, trainees and professionals, and group therapists who wish to reflect upon their practice through the mirror of Psychotherapeutic Playback Theater as well as facilitators and actors working with Playback Theater or other improvised genres. Review "The authors set out to give Playback Theatre a theoretical and clinical base for use in Group Psychotherapy, and they succeed! Drawing on the rich tradition of Non-Scripted Theatre and integrating it with psychodynamic psychotherapy, this book is an important, groundbreaking contribution to the field, rich in clinical perspectives. I highly recommend it!" David Read Johnson, Ph.D., RDT-BCT, director, Institute of Developmental Transformations. Co-editor, Current Approaches in Drama Therapy, Charles C Thomas, 2020 "A thoughtful, sensitive guided tour of a method of group psychotherapy integrating psychoanalytic and psychodramatic approaches. Well grounded in theory, the stories are much more than standard clinical case material. Engaging and clearly written, the authors bring the process to life. Creative clinicians and the interested public can participate." Robert W Siroka, Ph.D., founder, The Sociometric Institute NYC "This book represents a real gem. It combines the systematic use of playback theatre for therapeutic realms with a group analytic perspective. It introduces moreover Jungian concepts to amplify its theoretical and practical scope. Readers from both active and reflective group approaches will surely benefit from its stimulating ideas." Dr. Jorge Burmeister, former president, IAGP "This book is a bridge between Playback Theatre and psychoanalytic group psychotherapy. Each chapter weaves together philosophical ideas from theatre, psychoanalysis, psychodrama, and drama therapy with carefully chosen examples that illuminate important clinical considerations. It is an invitation to therapists to develop imaginative, playful capacities in the context of group work and explore applications in a variety of contexts." Nisha Sajnani, Ph.D., RDT-BCT, director, NYU Program in Drama Therapy "A warm welcome for this original and valuable book. Psychotherapeutic Playback Theatre is a new, inventive approach that that has much potential at a time of widespread emotional stress. I enjoyed the playful approach of the method, clearly and convincingly described. Yet, the book reveals an erudition and scholarship that make it a serious contribution to the field. The method, while having light, playful aspects, is capable of reaching emotional depth in individuals and groups. It is a tribute to the authors that I felt a distinct urge to participate in a playback therapy group myself! I suspect other readers may feel the same. In the meantime, reading the book is an excellent preparation." Morris Nitsun, psychologist, psychotherapist, training group analyst, Institute of Group Analysis, London. Author of The Anti-group and The Group as an object of Desire. Practising, exhibiting artist "This book is much needed in the group therapy field. It is the first book ever written about psychothe