The Containing Double as Part of the Therapeutic Spiral Model for Treating Trauma Survivors
Keywords:
TherapeuticAbstract
In this article, the authors describe the containing double, one intervention from a clinically driven model of psychodramatic therapy called the Therapeutic Spiral Model. That model is used to treat trauma survivors through an integration of classical psychodrama, self-psychology, and object-relations theory. Developed by the authors during 20 years of clinical psychodramatic practice with patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and dissociative identity disorders, the model has the potential for uncontrolled regression and retraumatization. The containing double was developed specifically to prevent uncontrolled regression when therapists use experiential methods with trauma survivors. The article includes clinical examples and suggestions for future research.
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