American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. (n.d.) General
Information about Psychodrama Retrieved March 13, 2005, from
http://asgpp.org/pdrama1.htm

This book does not focus on psychodrama per se but on related ideas that may be of interest to the psychodrama trainee.

Blatner, A. (1996). Acting in: Practical applications of psychodramatic methods,
3rd Ed. New York: Springer.

One of the best introductory texts on the details of the psychodramatic method.

This book focuses on the history of psychodrama including its slow acceptance, philosophical foundations, psychological foundations, social implications, and practical implications. I take exception with some of Blatner’s interpretations and thinking yet this volume provides valuable background for the novice psychodramatist.

Dayton lists her experiential games and exercises for individuals and groups, adults and children, in the counseling office, classroom, or at home, giving clear directions, and identifying variations for particular needs. She seeks to address issues related to growing up in alcoholic and dysfunctional environments.

Dayton attempts to make psychodramatic theory and technique accessible, discussing its origins, step-by step-methods to safely structure drama games for a wide variety of clients and situations, and explores the growing use of the method in the addictions field. In particular she addresses the treatment of addiction, ACOAs, and trauma.

Dayton, T. (2003). Psychodrama in the resolution of trauma and grief. Counselor,
The magazine for addiction professionals, 4 (2), 33-39. Also available on
line at http://www.counselormagazine.com

This short article cogently describes the traumatic memory, the frequent connection with addictions, the effectiveness of psychodrama/action methods in addressing both, and gives some brief but specific examples of these methods.

This volume contains a compendium of Moreno’s original works abridged and organized to provide a concise overview to Moreno and his method. This is significant because Moreno s writings often were repetitious and include lengthy ‘‘asides."

This book is the result of a forum at the 44th Annual meeting of the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama in 1986 and the felt need for this kind of book. It contains a variety of ideas on the application of psychodrama to addiction issues. I found parts of this volume useful; the quality of the different sections was uneven.

This book describes the psychodramatic method Elaine Goldman developed which she now calls “FACT” or Focused ACTion. A fellow student dubbed her method “laser psychodrama” because of the abbreviation and conciseness her refinements effect for the purpose of making it easier to learn and easier to use with patients. I experience her approach as leaving out some of the heart and soul of the method and fear it could be confusing to students learning the more traditional version. A lasting contribution of this work is the Goldman’s explication and illustration of the psychodramatic spiral.

This training tape includes a professionally edited session with a recovering alcoholic/ACOA, director’s comments, transitions, and process, tracking on the psychodramatic spiral, and study guide containing a transcription of the tape.

Moreno once referred to Hale, a librarian by training, as “the Librarian of the Gods” because of her interest and expertise in this area. This book is indisputably the best introduction to sociometry. However, Hale is in the process of revising it and is also editing an anthology of articles on sociometry.

This book presents a single psychodrama session and then illustrates, chapter by chapter, relevant basic psychoanalytical concepts in action.

This collection has in common the application of psychodrama to clients whose problems and psychological difficulties make them difficult to help: adolescents, the learning disabled, a blended family, sexually abused young people and adults, disturbed adolescents, an anorexic, alcoholics, ACOAs and codependents, hard core offenders, and suffers of serious illness.

The authors creatively extend and elaborate Moreno’s approach and thought. They sketch out the “therapeutic space” that Moreno’s approach covers, from the conscious to the unconscious and the intrapsychic to the transpersonal or spiritual. They implicitly raise the issue of how far an approach that emphasizes spontaneity and creativity can evolve before it becomes something different. They both shed light and obscure. The process of understanding Moreno is yet in its adolescence.

Hudgins outlines her variation and elaboration of psychodrama developed specifically to guard the vulnerability of trauma victims. She has developed an organization that teaches the method on an international basis.

This volume systematizes and clarifies the fundamental theoretical and practical aspects of psychodrama as well as setting aside old myths and breaking new ground. His experience with the method, grasp of the psychotherapy literature, philosophical insight, and ability to innovate are apparent.

The editors, noted psychodramatists, have put together a wide ranging anthology of articles on trauma with a wide range of populations and problems including bereavement, rape, torture, abused children, addiction, sex offenders, dissociation, traffic accidents, and secondary victims.

Kipper presents his idea of separating Moreno’s role playing methods from the rest of his approach to create a generic role playing method. His evaluation of the different “role playing techniques” is of particular interest because of his discussion of indications and contraindications of their use. Of all others only Leveton begins to address this issue. Kipper believes his approach will make these methods more acceptable to persons not trained in psychodrama. I felt much was lost.

Klontz succinctly describes psychodrama and it’s application to addictive issues within a residential program. (In Oct. 2000 Professional Counselor became Counselor, The magazine for addiction professionals.)

Klontz discusses ethical issues relevant to the use of psychodrama and experiential psychotherapy, particularly group in contrast to individual treatment, therapist competence, leader power issues, and aftercare. He makes reference to the American Psychological Association’s “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” and the “Association for Specialists in Group Work Best Practice Guidelines.”

As is true of most group therapies and psychodrama in particular there are few attempts to study demonstrating effectiveness of these methods. This practitioner and scholar’s contribution is particularly appreciated.

This author writes as from outside the general psychodrama collective, a nonconformist and rebel of sorts but acknowledges her delight in being recognized by Zerka Moreno in the forward. Some of her ideas are inconsistent with generally accepted psychodramatic methodology but her perspective on the method as one from outside the main stream is valuable. I specifically appreciated her thoughts on indications and contraindications for certain techniques.

For many reasons this is the first biography of J.L. Moreno and psychodrama and contains a number of surprises. It will enrich one's understanding and practice of Moreno s methods.

The author is a professing liberal Christian who has training in psychodrama. His presentation of bibliodrama here is rather directive, dogmatic, and less developed than others. He has some unique ideas on how dramatic methods may be used.

This text is written by a practitioner with a very active outpatient group practice who uses psychodrama as one of her tools. It includes a discusson of grouop therapy as well as psychodrama.

This work is autobiographical, describing how the author came to terms with his Jewish heritage, and an example of the deep and personal learning Bibliodrama can inspire. Though some of his ideas may be controversial to some he offers much one can learn from and appreciate. Throughout his writing he is clear and vibrant. He is an accomplished writer and poet. His work is a joy to read.

This work is the best one on the method of Bibliodrama per se. The author clearly describes and illustrates his well honed techniques and ideas. He differentiates an approach that is text or study focused and a second that is personal or therapy focused. He also identifies a short form (where beginners can start) and a longer form of the method.

This author knows playback intimately as one of the original playback troupe and partner of the leader of that group, Jonathan Fox. Her book serves as a good general introduction to this approach. She acknowledges its similarity to Moreno’s spontaneity theatre which ultimately developed into psychodrama.

Sociodrama uses enactment to focus on group as opposed to individual issues using an educational as opposed to therapeutic thrust but like psychodrama deals with thoughts and feelings and often deep emotions. Sociodrama is more commonly practiced outside the US perhaps because this is the first book on the subject since 1949. This book is a valuable resource since on some occasions a psychodrama warm-up may more appropriately lead to a sociodrama.

This short volume is especially for those who do not envision themselves directing a psychodrama group but who would like to use it as part of their individual sessions. It contains some me good ideas.

This author indicts psychodrama for being full of sound and fury but signifying nothing. He presents his alternative, “strategic psychodrama.” I found this difficult reading because I do not agree with his main thesis but found his other ideas helpful.

This volume is an often-recommended basic book on psychodrama originally published in 1981. Yablonsky writes in an interesting narrative style that captures the spirit of psychodrama though some of the practical and theoretical details are sketchy.

Adam Blatner's Papers on Psychodrama
(http://www.blatner.com/adam/papers.html#Psychodrama)

The Board annually publishes a booklet listing certified trainers and practitioners and the current certification standards for each along with detailed information on pursuing certification. These standards can also be found at the ASGPP website.

ASGPP is the national professional organization for practitioners of psychodrama. They publish The International Journal of Action Methods: Psychodrama, Skill Training, and Role Playing, and a newsletter; organize an annual conference; and host a web site. The website has many helpful features including a comprehensive searchable bibliography with over 5,000 entries.

MHR distributes psychodrama texts and is the easiest and oftentimes least expensive way to obtain materials on psychodrama. In their last flyer 48 items were listed as in stock.

Martin Gill has developed a website, which includes "What is Psychodrama? An interactive resource" that explains many key concepts in psychodrama. The resource presents a menu of definitions, each of which are downloadable, and includes a lengthy list of warm-ups the author has developed or cataloged.

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