| Summary: | A research report submitted to the Wits School of Arts in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts by
coursework and research report in the field of dramatherapy, in the
faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
March 2015 === This research places a lens on the process of psychological integration in
dramatherapy. Two prominent approaches, namely Robert J. Landy’s Role Method
and Renée Emunah’s Integrative Five Phase Model are used to analyze how the
concept of psychological integration is conceptualized and implemented in the theory
and practice of dramatherapy. A qualitative meta-analysis, using secondary data from
published case studies, is applied to this study with the following structure.
A mete-theory analysis will concern itself with each of the approaches
conceptualization of the self and ideas of how clients move towards psychological
integration. A meta-method analysis aims to better understand the two models under
examination. A meta-data analysis follows key moments in each case study
considering how the three elements of the client, drama and therapist can assist clients
in moving towards greater psychological integration. This process culminates in the
creation of a meta-synthesis, the final part of a meta-study, which intends to
determine how the two approaches differentiate and where they find linkage.
The findings of this analysis indicate that each approach differs in terms of their
comprehension of the self and psychological integration as well as the particular
model and structure used in dramatherapy. There appears to be linkage between the
two approaches in their use of the three elements of the client, drama and therapist
working together to achieve greater psychological integration. Central to this process
appears to be the development of the therapeutic relationship as well as an
extrapolation of the therapeutic potential within the dramatic medium. Two other
emerging themes that appear common to both approaches is the use of aesthetic
distance and the connections made between the fictional world and the external reality
of the client thus preventing dramatherapy from becoming a split off experience. This
study concludes by affirming its hypothesis that the two approaches can find
integration rather proliferation.
Key words: Dramatherapy, psychological integration, therapeutic relationship
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