MAYA SEGURA, JESÚS MANUEL, Castro-Callejas F.J. , Sales C. , Fávero M.
No
Arts Psychother.
Article
Científica
2
2
01/01/2026
2-s2.0-105044012293
Empirical research on psychodrama has focused predominantly on group settings, whereas its use in individual psychotherapy remains comparatively underexplored. As one of the first efforts to examine individual psychodrama, this exploratory qualitative study analyzes the psychodramatic techniques therapists report utilizing in individual psychodrama and the change processes they associate with them. Thirty-two therapists trained in psychodrama completed open-ended questions. Responses were analyzed using descriptive frequency and thematic analysis. Their answers revealed a repertoire of diverse techniques, principally role reversal, psychodramatic image, role-playing, sculpture, doubling and soliloquy. Nine change factors were identified as being associated with psychodramatic techniques in individual psychotherapy: insight, perspective-taking, emotional expression, empathy, self-regulation, unblocking, catharsis, spontaneity and creativity. It highlighted how group psychodramatic techniques were confirmed at the individual settings (role reversal, sculpture, or doubling), the proposal of role-playing as a technique, and how new psychodramatic techniques appeared in individual psychotherapy that are not typically mentioned in the group psychodrama, such as the empty chair and the psychodramatic image associated with Rojas-Bermúdez model. Likewise, psychodramatic techniques appear to promote both common factors of change—such as insight or catharsis—and those specific to psychodrama, such as spontaneity or perspective-taking. A comprehensive framework regarding change processes in technique-driven individual psychodrama is discussed from the perspectives of both Morenian psychodrama and Rojas-Bermúdez model. © 2026 The Authors.
Article; autoregulation; catharsis; creativity; emotion; emotion regulation; empathy; human; perspective taking; psychodrama; qualitative analysis; structured questionnaire; therapist attitude