The Effectiveness of Psychodrama for Adolescents Who Have Experienced Trauma

by Corrine E. Mertz

ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the effectiveness of psychodrama as a treatment for adolescents who have experienced trauma. This study looked extensively at adolescent trauma and three treatment frameworks designed to treat it, The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, Attachment Self Regulation and Competency, and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This study also looked at psychodrama and psychodrama frameworks that are intended for use with trauma survivors. Psychodrama is an action- based treatment framework, where clients engage in therapeutic enactments.
The effectiveness of psychodrama was researched through qualitative interviews with seven clinicians who practice psychodrama with adolescents. Participants were asked specific questions about the effectiveness of psychodrama as well as how they measure effectiveness. Within this study all participants spoke to the effectiveness of psychodrama as a treatment for adolescents who have experienced trauma. Participants identified many ways in which they measure the success of their work, however only one participant spoke about using scientific measurements when measuring success.

Complete article you can download here: The effectiveness of psychodrama for adolescents who have experienced trauma

Published in 2013. Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA