The Integration of Psychodrama With Bowen's Theories in Couples Therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12926/tdnq9q84Keywords:
couples therapyAbstract
In this article, the authors describe a method in which cotherapists work with those in relationships, mainly couples, using psychodrama methods and Bowen therapy. They include vignettes taken from 5 sessions and discuss the context of each problem, the process of the therapy session, the insights gained, and the theory for the interventions. The authors integrate Bowen's theory of the differentiated person as one who is able to operate from a place of "1," as distinct from "we" in a relationship, and use psychodrama techniques to demonstrate this functioning. The authors believe that their attention to their own differentiation in their work affects clients directly. They use their synthesis of theory, experience, and practice to help client couples to become more differentiated.
References
Andersen, T. (1990). The reflecting team: Dialogues and dialogues about dialogues. Kent: Borgmann.
Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. New York: Aronson.
Byng-Hall, J. (1995). Rewriting family scripts: Improvisation and systems change. New York: Guilford.
Dicks, H. V. (1967). Marital tensions. London: Routledge.
Farmer, C., & Geller, M. (2003). The use of psychodrama in the family systems therapy of Bowen. In J. Gershoni (Ed.), Psychodrama in the 21st century: Clinical and educational applications (pp. 31-47). New York: Springer.
Fogarty, T. F. (1975). Triangles. In P. J. Guerin (Ed.). The family, vol. 2. (pp. 41-49). New Rochelle, NY: Center for Family Learning.
Goldman, E., & Morrison D. (1984). Psychodrama: Experience and process. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt
Hinshelwood, R. D. (1994) Clinical Klein. London: Free Association Books.
Hollander, C. E. (1992). Psychodrama, role playing and sociometry: Living and learning processes. Denver: Colorado Psychodrama Center.
Kerr, M., & Bowen, M. (I 988). Family evaluation. New York: Norton.
Kipper, D. A. (1986). Psychotherapy through clinical role playing. New York: Brunner/ Maze!.
Moreno, J. L. (1946). Psychodrama vol. 1. (4th ed.). Beacon, NY: Beacon House.
Moreno, Z. T. (1991). Time, space, reality, and the family: Psychodrama with a blended (reconstructed) family. In P. Holmes, & M. Karp (Eds.), Psychodrama: Inspiration and technique (pp. 53-74). London: Routledge.
Schwartz, R. C. (1995). Internal systems therapy. New York: Guilford.
Williams, A. (1989). The passionate technique: Strategic psychodrama with individuals, families, and groups. London: Routledge.
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.