Escaping the Blame Frame: Experiential Techniques With Couples

Authors

  • EVA LEVETON Author

Keywords:

blame

Abstract

In couples therapy, the therapist often finds it difficult to shift to a more productive process. Experiential techniques can break the destructive pattern and introduce new, more effective ways of communicating. In this article, the author explores couples work through case examples using specific dramatic techniques and considers a broad range of clinical thinking, with particular attention to the challenges of using psychodramatic techniques in a group of three. The author also addresses the question of the therapist taking a role in an enactment.

References

Blatner, A. (1996). Acting in: Practical applications of psychodramatic methods (3rd ed.). New York: Springer.

Chasin, R. 1., Grunebaum, H., & Herzig, M. (1990). One couple: Four realities: Multiple perspectives on couple therapy. New York: Guilford.

Fisher, R. (2002). Experiential psychotherapy with couples: A guide for the creative pragmatist. Phoenix, AZ: Zeig, Tucker, & Theisen.

Fox, J. (Ed.). (1987). The essential Moreno. New York: Springer.

Gladding, S. (1985). Family poems: A way of modifying family dynamics. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 12, 239--243.

Grinder, J., & Bandler, R. (1983). The structure of magic. Palo Alto, CA: Science & Behavior Books.

Guerin, P. (1976). The use of the arts in family therapy: I never sang for my father. In P. Guerin (Ed.), Family therapy, theory and practice (pp. 480--500). New York: Gardner.

Hayden-Seman, S. (1998). Action Modality Couples Therapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aaronson.

Holmes, P., & Karp, M. (Eds.). (1991). Psychodrama, inspiration and technique. London: Tavistock/Routledge.

Hudgins, M. K., & Kiesler, D. J. (1987). Individual experiential psychotherapy: An analogue validation of the intervention model of the psychodrarnatic double. Psychotherapy, 24, 245-254.

Jefferson, C. (1978). Some notes on the use of family sculpture in therapy. Family Process, 17, 69-76.

Kipper, D. A. (1986). Psychotherapy through clinical role playing. New York: Brunner/Maze 1.

Kipper, D. A. (2003). The cognitive double: Integrating cognitive and action· techniques. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, & Sociometry, 55, 93--106.

Leveton, E. (1977). Adolescent crisis: Families in trouble. New York: Springer.

Leveton, E. (1991). The use of doubling to counter resistance in family and individual treatment. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 18, 241--249.

Leveton, E. (2000). A clinician's guide to psychodrama (3rd ed.). New York: Springer.

Moreno, Z. T., Blomkvist, L. D., & Ruetzel, T. (2000). Psychodrama, surplus reality and the art of healing. London: Routledge.

Papp, P. (1976). Family choreography. In P. Guerin (Ed.), Family therapy, theory and practice (pp. 465-480). New York: Gardner.

Perls, F. S., Hefferline, R., & Goodman, P. (1973). Gestalt therapy. New York: Brunner/Maze!.

Satir, V. (1972). Peoplemaking. Palo Alto, CA: Science & Behavior Books.

Wile, D. B. (1981). Couples therapy: A nontraditional approach. New York: Wiley.

Published

2025-03-14