When it comes to recovery, self-compassion can be challenging sometimes. Perhaps you’ve gotten into this never-ending reel of doubt, fear, and negativity; thoughts such as “I don’t think I can do this” may plague your mind as you try to determine whether or not recovery is truly for you. No matter what you’re thinking, the good news is that you’re here. You’ve arrived. Recovery is meant for you, and you have everything you need to move forward with it. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have been led to this path.
There are many techniques and approaches that can be used in recovery, including medicine and therapy. These are the two most popular options – but holistic therapy activities such as music therapy or psychodrama don’t get discussed as often. Psychodrama gives people an opportunity to work through past or future issues and gain new perspectives from others’ experiences as well. As explained by the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP), psychodrama involves 3 stages: 1) the warm up, in which a theme is identified and characters are established, 2) the action, in which the problem is acted out in a dramatic way and the protagonist identifies ways of resolving the problem, and 3) the sharing, in which group members are allowed to explain their personal connection with the drama and the protagonist’s strategies.
A 2017 study published in the journal Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process, and Outcome sought to explore how psychodrama could assist those with mental illness. Twenty-two females and eight males participated in the study, engaging in 40 psychodrama sessions total, with 1 session per week. Results from the study indicated a significant improvement in symptoms that participants were experiencing; what type of activities in psychodrama could promote self-compassion? A 2015 piece published in The Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy addresses 4 activities in psychodrama that enhance this:
- Enacting a drama in which the other person treated you with unconditional positive regard
- Instruction for participants to act in a psychodrama by listening to one another with only eyes, heart, and body only.
- Taking the role of a person who really “gets” and understands – a person with great insight
- Taking part in an activity in which all members of the group stand up in walk to a line that describes how critical they are on themselves
Self-compassion takes time, but it truly all starts with yourself. Practice loving yourself, forgiving yourself. Speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center today to learn more about how you can incorporate this treatment method into your treatment regime.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.
