The dramatic heart of the psychodramatic method

This paper is concerned with the dramatic sensibilities of a psychodramatist and how they impact the therapeutic process. A psychodramatic enactment with commentary by the psychodramatist was presented as entrance into this inquiry and as one way to ground the inquiry in current practice. Reflection on the psychodramatic enactment revealed that these dramatic sensibilities had multiple positive impacts on the functioning of the psychodramatist, the protagonist, the therapeutic relationship, and the therapeutic process. It is hoped this will encourage practitioners to value their dramatic sensibilities and to integrate them in with their other clinical approaches and techniques.

► Reflection on a psychodramatic enactment was used to inquire into the impact of the psychodramatist's involvement with the dramatic tension.
► The psychodramatist's deep involvement with the dramatic expression of the protagonist's world is both a source of energy and also informs and inspires their clinical analyses and interventions.
► It is hoped this paper will encourage psychodramatic practitioners to value their dramatic sensibilities and to integrate them in with their other clinical approaches and techniques.