Book Review

[Connie Miller]

Book Review by Lisa Wake, published in the 

British Journal of Psychodrama and Sociodrama, 

Autumn / Winter 2007, Volume 22, Number 2, pp. 38-39

Psychodrama: Advances in Theory and Practice

Edited by Clark Baim, Jorge Burmeister and Manuela Maciel

ISBN 978-0-415-41914-7 (2007) pp.318 £18.99 London: Routledge

This book provides a stimulating read for therapists who wish to understand
and integrate aspects of psychodrama into their therapeutic work. 

The book is divided into two components, Part One focussing on new
perspectives on psychodrama theory, and Part Two considering developments in
psychodrama practice and research. The book has a useful appendix that
explains the themes and concepts within Moreno’s work and I would suggest
that anyone who is new to this modality read this before embarking on Part
One. 

Part One of the book provides an enlightening and sometimes radical approach
to the authoritarian or expert stance that can exist in some modalities of
psychotherapy. Kipper provides an effective and in depth exposition on the
process of emotional change from the perspective of psychodrama. This is
followed by an excellent chapter by Blatner whose description of the meta
role enables integration of the key elements within any integrative
approach. The subsequent chapters on Role Theory, Mirroring, Chaos Theory
The Existential Dialectic, How Psychodrama Works, and a Post Modern
Approach, facilitate the reader through a range of complex concepts that can
be used respectfully in the therapy context. 

Part Two is delightful. I was fascinated by the clarity and purpose that is
offered in this section, where each author carefully scripts the learning of
the reader through a series of methods and models that are brought to life
through case examples. The chapter on transgenerational analysis was
spellbinding, with Schützenberger’s use of story, case example and personal
reflection providing an optimum demonstration of psychodrama that literally
comes alive on the page. The continuing chapters on Psychodrama in
Miniature, Neuroscience, Child Development and Psychopathology provide a
rich source of theory, case examples and author dialogue. 

Some of the chapters in this first part include heavy theories that can be
difficult to comprehend and I found that by reading Part Two, I could return
to these theories for greater understanding. I would recommend that any
reader who is relatively new to psychodrama and prefers a practical
exposition to enable understanding approach the book from Part Two before
embarking on Part One. 

Lisa Wake is a neurolinguistic psychotherapist and author of Neurolinguistic
Psychotherapy: A Postmodern Approach. 

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