List Digest, Vol 13, Issue 21

[Erica Hollander]

I am interested in what you all think makes self expression  
therapeutic.  Plainly, it is not always so:  the self expressions of  
sociopaths can be dangerous and  are often not welcomed by others or  
good for anything observable for the doers.  Yet, in general,  we  
foster self expression in psychodrama and find it useful and  
helpful.  What is it that makes that so?  My late husband used to  
like to say that "everyone likes to feel seen, heard acknowledged and  
respected for who and what they are."  I agree that that seems to be  
the case but I am not sure just why, or when self expression crosses  
over to potentially dangerous or destructive action.  Moreover, I am  
not sure that we know much about what the brain activity is that sets  
this apart from other actions.  Any thoughts on these issues will be  
welcome.  Thanks Erica Hollander