Escaping the Blame Frame: Experiential Techniques With Couples
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12926/wjjvt931Keywords:
blameAbstract
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.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.