Cognitive Behavioral Psychodramatic Group Therapy
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Group-Cognitive Psychotherapy - Psychodrama This model focuses on
identifying upsetting situations, automatic negative thoughts, triggered moods,
writing balanced thoughts to counter negative automatic thoughts, and
recognizing distortions in thinking and interpretations of difficult situations. The
psychodramatic procedures of role-playing, role-reversal, and mirroring facilitate
the process by examining various conflicting situations individuals experience
within the context of a group to better understand the nature of negative thoughts
triggered by situations and their effects on moods. The cognitive-psychodramatic
group environment provides a supportive climate to practice new thinking and
behaviors.
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Utilizing the action techniques of role playing, role reversal, doubling, mirroring,
future projection, soliloquy, interview in role reversal, social network concept &
surplus reality.
Cognitive Triad
Psychodramatic Triad
Moods
Warm-up
Thoughts
Action
Behaviors
Closure/sharing
Action - Psychodramatic Techniques
Role-Playing
Auxiliary Ego
Role-Reversal
Doubling
Self Presentation
Mirror Technique
Soliloquy
Concretizing & Maximizing
Aside/Automatic Thought
Future Projection
Empty Chair
Surplus Reality
Interview in Role-Reversal
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.
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Contained double - (auxiliary ego) expresses thoughts, feelings, & ideas that are
felt but not expressed.
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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, 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. It determines whether the person is able to reverse roles with the
conflictual other.
Cognitive-Behavioral-Psychodramatic
Group Therapy
Systematic method of collaborative group
therapy.
Deep action method challenging
dysfunctional belief system.
Oriented towards in depth personal
exploration, catharsis, insight, problem
solving, and behavior change. Encourages
expression of deep feelings & beliefs.
Oriented towards revisiting the past, or
freeing persons from effects of previous
traumatic situations, and adjusting to
present/future. Usually the origin of many
maladaptive schemas.
Oriented towards personality, relationships
& maladaptive beliefs.
Deals with effect of past on present
behavior. Deals with intra-psychic as well
as interpersonal conflicts. Ones belief
system is challenged & re-organized.
Deals directly with personal life history and
private (secret beliefs) problems.
Very direct & collaborative method. Is
exposing, has built in ways of dealing with
exposure.
Tests reactions/behavior to new situations
Group (talk) Therapy
Generalized approach to assist others in
groups
More superficial – generalized – can focus
on specific disorders
Not oriented towards deep catharsis, or
expression of deep emotions. Not a
problem solving method.
Oriented towards future situations, and
rehearsal of specific behavioral responses
or approaches to anticipated situations.
Ordinarily not directed toward past.
Oriented towards specific behavioral
problems. Concentrates on social skills,
behavioral medication, and training for
social interaction (social phobia)
Usually concentrates on interpersonal
interactive situations and not intrapsychic.
Usually focuses on aspects of the
individual’s social roles.
More indirect. May be less exposing.
Usually does not test during life of group