Cognitive Behavioral Psycho-dramatic Structure & Techniques
Group-Cognitive Psychotherapy - Psychodrama This model focuses on
distressful situations, identifying negative thoughts, moods, and balanced
thoughts to counter negative automatic thoughts. The psycho-dramatic
procedures of role-playing, role-reversal, and mirroring facilitate the process
by examining various conflicting situations individual’s experience within the
context of a safe group environment. In this setting one is able to better
understand the nature of negative thoughts and their impact upon ones daily
life. The cognitive-psycho-dramatic group environment provides a supportive
climate to practice new thinking and behaviors.
Psycho-dramatic Structure:
The protagonist: The person whose story or issue is presented
through guided dramatic action.
The auxiliary egos: Group members who assume the roles of
significant others in the drama.
The audience: Group members who witness the drama and who may
become involved in auxiliary roles.
The stage: The physical space in which the drama takes place.
The director/facilitator: A trained psychodramatist who guides
participants through each phase of the session.
Basic Action Techniques

Auxiliary ego- functions as extensions of the protagonist portraying
actual or imagined roles. A group member(s) who assume the role(s)
of significant others.

Contained double - (auxiliary ego) expresses thoughts, feelings, &
ideas that are felt but not expressed.

Cognitive double - (auxiliary ego) expresses the positive thoughts, &
feelings that are thought but not expressed

Presentation of self – talking about ‘self’ to group members, i.e. –
what brought you to the group?

Role-playing – temporarily stepping out of one’s own present role to
assume the role of another or of oneself at another time.

Soliloquy - (unscripted * spontaneous) - expression of free-floating
thoughts, ideas and feelings as one physically moves in the group
environment. It clarifies feelings, thoughts and relieves emotional
blocking of content.

Aside/Automatic Thought - Expressing (immediate) thoughts /
feelings when a change of mood is visible/felt.

Role reversal - provides a concrete way of actualizing the
metaphorical process of ‘putting yourself in the shoes or situation of
the other’.

Empty-chair - or auxiliary chair technique represents thoughts
feelings and ideas of a significant other whom is addressed as in the
present.

Mirror technique - protagonist steps out of the scene to observe
group member(s) reflect/mirror his behavior, thoughts, and feelings.
One is able to see how he appears to others as reflected in the mirror
portrayed by group members.

Minimize – Maximize - the principal of exaggerating, increasing, or
maximizing the emotional content of a communication or attitude.
(Thoughts/feelings/behavior) -

Future Projection – allowing the protagonist the freedom to predict
and deal with an event or situation in the future. Data allows one to
feel free to express what one would like to have happen. Clarifies
goals & objectives in the situation.

Surplus Reality – placing self in ‘an unreal setting’ to gather
information on thoughts – feelings & behavior that has placed the
protagonist in a freeze mode. Usually frees the protagonist to
express (by taking away the boundaries) ones thoughts and feelings.

Interview In Role-Reversal – Assuming the role of the other for the
specific purpose of collecting data for that role as well as collecting
critical background information.