A Reflective Interpretation of Psychodramic Techniques



A Reflective Interpretation of Psychodramatic TechniquesCourtney HumphreyStenberg CollegeA Reflective Interpretation of Psychodramatic TechniquesPsychodrama is a therapeutic form of action therapy that uses role-play to further investigate and explore ones inner self. As clients become more self-aware they begin to identify barriers that may prevent them from reaching their ultimate potential. By exploring ones thoughts, feelings and actions we become increasingly aware of reoccurring themes and patterns in our lives that may hinder our future. Through self-exploration and reflection we begin to connect the conscious and unconscious parts of our inner self. Thus, we become increasingly aware of how our unconscious self-influences our behaviors and actions. In turn, healing can begin to take place on a much deeper and profound level. The interesting part about psychodrama is that it places the responsibility of healing past traumas unto the client rather than the therapist. In turn, the client gains empowerment over their own life by reaching a deeper threshold of their own self-awareness (Dayton, 2005, p. xvii). When I was first introduced to psychodramatic therapy I felt apprehensive to try it out. This was mostly due to the fact that I was unaware of its inherit value. However, the more I was exposed to near psychodramatic exercises, the more I became aware of how useful it could be in psychiatric nursing practice. Near psychodramatic techniques such as journaling with a photograph, guided imagery and letter writing should be implemented into the psychiatric nurse’s practice since it helps patients become more self-aware as they work through their traumatic experiences. Psychiatric nurses should implement journaling with a photograph into their practice to further guide self-reflection in their patients as they work through their issues. Past traumatic experiences can affect our future if they are not dealt with properly. This is because trauma can cause us to “lose connection with our inner world, [and if this] persists over time, can make it difficult to conduct successful intimate relationships” (Dayton, n.d., para. 2). When we give our patients the opportunity to re-enact past traumatic events, they can begin to see themselves and the traumatic event in a different light. By doing so, they become more self-aware of why and how they act the way they do. This is important because our unconscious mind can negatively affect our conscious behaviors. When I was able to practice journaling with a photograph I used a photo of my grandma and myself. My grandma had passed away last semester and I found it extremely difficult to cope with the loss. However, journaling allowed me to go back into the exact moment I was in that photograph and say all the things that I wish I should have said to her. In a way, journaling allowed me to realize that I was holding onto a lot of guilt. By openly expressing myself on paper, I was able to let go of the guilt I had so that I could begin to heal. What I learned from this process is that I was letting my unconscious feeling of guilt negatively affect my behavior. This would explain why I felt so disconnected with myself when my grandma passed. My mind and body we were not one. Prior to completing this exercise I had not made the connection that experiencing the death of my grandma was traumatizing. By openly journaling I was able to make this connection. One of the first steps in the healing process is acceptance, and since I was able to accept that this experience was traumatizing for me, I was in turn able to heal. Psychiatric nurses may use journaling in their practice in an attempt to facilitate self-awareness in their patients. Patients who are unable to express themselves sufficiently by talking may benefit from journaling. As patients begin to express themselves through journaling they will become more self-aware of their thoughts and emotions. In turn, this will help them deal with past traumas that could be negatively affecting their future. It is clear, that psychiatric nurses should implement journaling into their practice to help patients become self-aware to allow healing to take place. Guided imagery increases self-awareness, which in turn may help patients overcome traumatic experience. Therefore, psychiatric nurses should encourage the use of guided imagery into their practice. By using the patient’s imagination to guide the experience, the patient uses not only their mind, but all of their senses; they are then able to make a mind-body connection. This is especially important since those who have experienced trauma may feel disconnected. The use of guided imagery is something that is not new to me—when I was younger I was a competitive dancer and often used guided imagery to prepare myself before a competition. I would lie on the floor of my bedroom listening to the music I was going to dance to and visualize each step in my performance. In doing so, I was able to make a mind body connection and in turn do well in my performance. In a way guided imagery helped me prepare for the future. In comparison, patients may also find guided imagery beneficial to help them prepare for recovery after a traumatic experience. When I was asked to use guided imagery as a journal exercise I again found it to be extremely beneficial. During this exercise I was asked to visualize a mountain and as I reached the top sit down next to the person I see. The next step was to ask this person questions that had been bottled up inside me, and as the answer come to feel gratitude. As I did this exercise I became aware that the person who was answering these questions was myself—my inner healer. What I learned from this experience is that I have the ability to search inside myself to find understanding. In comparison, patients may find this exercise beneficial since it shows them that through self-exploration they may heal themselves. Having just completed my clinical practice of older adults I had wondered if this near psychodynamic technique would work for them as well. A study conducted by Lantz et al. (1997) found that guided imagery is an effective way to increase self-awareness in elderly patients with dementia who suffer from feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression and helplessness (p. 551). Moreover, guided imagery not only helped these patients develop self-awareness but also enhanced their self-esteem and body awareness. In other words, guided imagery increased elderly patient’s self-awareness and in turn helped them cope with their issues. Therefore, patients should be encouraged to use guided imagery to increase their self-awareness while subsequently working through issues they may have.Psychiatric nurses should encourage the use of letter writing to facilitate self-awareness in their patients which will in turn help them to over-come traumatic experiences. Participants who use this technique are encouraged to write non-stop about a traumatic experience while exploring their inner most thoughts and feelings. The letter can then either be kept private or shared with the therapist. Although this technique may not “cure” the patient per say—it may help them cope with their emotions (Harvard Mental Health, 2011, p. 6). Some people may have a hard time dealing with trauma which may in turn cause them to dwell on unresolved issues. Unfortunately, this may lead to the development of mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Letter writing is a non-invasive way to help patients reduce any stress or anxiety which have risen as a result of their traumatic experience. Moreover, writing allows patients the opportunity to work through their traumatic experience and learn how to better regulate their emotions. It is possible that “the act of constructing a story about a traumatic event [may] help someone break free of the endless mental cycle” (Harvard Mental Health, 2011, p. 6) that follows after a traumatic experience. Personally, what I found most beneficial about writing an open letter was that it allowed me to connect with my emotions on a much deeper level so that healing could occur. After I was able to validate my thoughts and feelings on paper, I found it much easier to let go of them and move on. Patients who have dealt with abuse may find letter writing to be therapeutic and help them move on from the traumatic experience. Thus, psychiatric nurses should incorporate letter writing into their practice since it allows patients the opportunity to work through their traumatic experiences by validating their thoughts and emotions. As a psychiatric nursing student I have found my experience with near psychodramatic techniques to quite beneficial. It has helped me become more self-aware of my thoughts, feeling and actions which in turn will help me becomes a better psychiatric nurse. I have learned more about myself in the past few months than I have in my entire life, and for that I’m thankful for this experience. I have come to realize the true value of psychodramatic techniques and look forwards to incorporating journaling with a photograph, guided imagery and letter writing into my practice. By doing so, I hope to encourage self-awareness in my patients and in turn allow them the opportunity to work through their traumatic experiences. ReferencesDayton, T. (2005). The living stage: A step-by-step guide to psychodrama, sociometry and experimental group therapy. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.Dayton, T. (n.d.). Frozen Tears: Psychodrama in the Resolution of Trauma and Grief. . Retrieved from Mental Health. (2011). Expressive writing for mental health. Harvard Mental Health Publications, 1(6), 6. Retrieved from , M., Buchalter, E., & McBee, L. (1997). The Wellness Group: a novel intervention for coping with disruptive behavior among elderly nursing home residents. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 551-556. Retrieved from ................
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