Symbol Drama is a mysterious word that has been mentioned all too often lately. But what does such an unusual name, consisting of two words, “symbol” and “drama” speak of? This article will describe in detail what this technique is and how to apply it. To begin with, one thing can be said: that the symbol drama is used in psychotherapy.
This is a method of deep study of the subconscious, based on the theory of group unconscious and the theory of archetypes of Carl Gustav Jung.
Application, as well as the specifics of using this method
Expressed in a scientific language, the symbol of drama is like catatymo-imaginative psychotherapy. This term comes from three Greek words:
- Kata is a match.
- Thymos - emotions, mood.
- Imago - image.
Therefore, it is possible to describe the symbol drama as "a vision of a particular image, depending on the mood" or "emotional excitement associated with the images."
This method was created by the outstanding scientist from Germany in the field of psychoanalysis, Hanzkarl Leiner in the 50s of the last century.
Instead of unnecessary words
Often in psychotherapeutic practice there are cases when the patient cannot clearly express his feelings in words, nor explain his opinion on any issue, but the conversation on everyday topics (nature, weather, vegetation) goes by itself without any difficulties.
Then the symbol-drama technique comes into play, that is, a vision of a certain motive (image) on a proposed topic. It is a known fact that the subconscious is expounded by a stream of metaphors and symbolic signs. And this means that it is necessary to understand that these images visualized in the human brain are neither elements from memory, nor products of imagination, and play a paramount role in psychoanalysis. So our subconscious only interacts with us - no more.
Ease of imagination
Without feeling any restrictions on their way, images arise very chaotically, at ease and unexpectedly, bypassing psychological barriers called “common sense”, which only interfere with the work with the patient. After all, all the secrets hidden in the depths of the subconscious, break through to the surface, reflected in certain motives, after which a protective barrier will inevitably turn on. It is in the images in all its glory that the patient’s subjective world appears, as well as the characteristics of his character, unconscious reactions, unconscious contradictions and deeply hidden feelings that frighten and interfere with a person’s life, as well as invariable patterns of behavior in society.
Following the instructions given by the therapist, the symbol drama becomes subject to the patient himself, and he conducts an independent analysis of the image that has arisen, studies his subconscious, interacting with him. The result is an awareness of their own forbidden emotions and feelings, disparate parts of the personality merge together, unconscious mental attitudes change, which together contributes to the growth of the personality.
Performance
Symbol Drama - psychotherapy is quite quick and very effective, emotionally very brightly colored. In contrast to the classical methods of psychoanalysis, which averages 150 sessions (due to the fact that the therapist needs to analyze mental barriers and adjust the patient's behavior), the catimatoimagination method works very quickly, since it does not require all of this.
The symbol drama method quickly reveals what appears in images unconsciously and floats to the surface, bypassing all the mechanisms of the protective barrier, and the transformation of the blocks takes place just during their vision. On average, the duration of the course of catimato-imaginative psychotherapy varies from 15 to 30 sessions, each lasting a little less than an hour (more precisely 50 minutes). To achieve the most progressive effect, therapy should be carried out once a week, and after 3-5 sessions, patients note a positive trend:
- ease of thought;
- getting rid of annoying pain;
- emotional lift;
- the solution to a long worrying issue.
If the situation in which the person finds himself is complex and overly confused, then up to 50 sessions may be required. And only after going through all of them, the patient will finally become a calm, confident person who can direct the flow of his life force in the right direction. After all, if the soul suffers, then this is clearly reflected on the physical level, and the body begins to quickly fade and cling to itself various ailments.
Are you often sick? Look for a problem in the depths of the subconscious
Scientists have long noticed and managed to prove that most diseases occur precisely because of stress, long-standing grievances, restrained aggression, psychological inconsistencies, and so on.
In modern medicine, there is a direction called psychosomatics, in which the effects of psychological moments on the appearance of diseases at the physical level are investigated. Often during therapy, the symptoms of existing ailments also emerge in the form of images, and a person seems to see them on parts of his body that are corroded by the disease, which, of course, helps to understand the psychological causes of its appearance. As a result, the patient with the help of a psychotherapist turns them from problems into resources that give strength.
Symbol Drama is a universal method
Such a psychotherapeutic practice is appropriate: and in working with married couples; and tete-a-tete; and even in classes with groups of patients, and all because the symbol drama is compatible with MAC (associative metaphorical maps) and with the classical methods used in psychoanalysis. With the help of catimato-imaginative psychotherapy, problems of a completely different nature can be solved, which, of course, is one of its main advantages.
How can this technique help?
In psychology, the symbol drama is an effective solution to such problems as:
- Personal relationship questions.
- Intra-family conflicts: parent - child; husband wife.
- Conflicts of an intrapersonal and interpersonal nature.
- Phobias, both conscious and unconscious.
- Pangs of conscience and old insults.
- Different kinds of mania (addiction).
- Black melancholy and depressive states, and as a result - the desire for a speedy release from life.
- Low self-esteem and pathological timidity, which impede the achievement of their goals.
- Sleep problems.
- Stressful conditions and inadequate breakdown.
- Conflicts related to society (for example, relationships at work).
- Problems associated with entrepreneurial activity.
- Pathological shortage of funds.
- Problems associated with the development of your "I" and the inability to reveal existing talents.
- Psychosomatics: myocardial infarction; stomach ulcer; asthma; diabetes; hypertension and hypotension; neurodermatitis; fictitious diseases and suspiciousness; psoriasis; rheumatism; dizziness and pain in the head; pain in the back and arms; weight problems (hypertrophy / dystrophy); problems in the digestive tract; problems with urination; stuttering and dyslexia; menstrual pain and miscarriage.
- Problems of an intimate nature: frigidity; violation of sexual functions; sadistic and masochistic inclinations; exhibitionism and other delights associated with mental disorders.
Symbol of the drama. Description of the technique
Work on this method is based primarily on an early conversation in which details of the situation are described in which the patient needs help. The therapist asks the necessary questions, the client answers, after which the essence of the request becomes obvious. Often, a person forms the necessary question himself, and it looks something like this: “I constantly show aggression towards relatives, if something goes against my opinion. How can I curb myself? ” or “I constantly feel tired, although I don’t really do anything. What is the reason? ” and other issues of interest to a particular individual.
Further, the psychologist immerses the patient in a state of relaxation and peace, which should not be confused with hypnosis. Being in it, you can see dreams in reality, that is, represent images. The symbol drama is characterized by the fact that the person is offered the most suitable thought forms that he can imagine so that the therapist can correctly work out the request and clarify the problem.
How is the search for the correct "key"?
Accompanying the patient, the therapist, together with him, studies the desired image, using the necessary techniques, and also helps in revealing the depths of the subconscious, asking suggestive questions and so on. This procedure lasts an average of 15 minutes, during which the client, with the help of a psychologist, interprets the image, comprehends what it has to do with what is happening in real life and with the state of mind. The result of this work is the awareness of the problem, stress relief and a change in the emotional state in a positive direction, and the most important achievement is the discovery of a way out of a vicious circle, which entails positive changes in life. After which the client receives "homework", reproduce the image, capture it on paper, describe it in a few words and bring it to the next session so that the therapist can analyze it. This is necessary to comprehend a lot of details and stimulate the search for parallel solutions to get out of a troubled situation.
Main motives
Huntzkarl Leiner offers several exercises for the character drama:
- Meadow, the image of which is usual for any session of psychotherapy.
- Mountain, or rather a climb to a height to view the panorama.
- A stream along which one should go with the current or against it.
- Home, studying its surroundings.
- Contemplation of a forest edge waiting for a creature to leave the dark forest.
Any of the motives is an extensive field for activities in various fields of psychiatry. But there is still an established correspondence between a particular exercise and a specific problem. In addition, we are talking about the attitude of some motives to the stages of development in childhood, as well as to the specific effectiveness of any of them in relation to some diseases and their symptoms.
The benefits of this method
Reviews about the symbol drama are extremely positive, so it has become the main means of helping patients to solve complex problems. After all, this is an interaction with the imagination, as well as the ability to transfer to the paper the root of the problem, which would seem to be simply insoluble, and seeing it in the image of a certain image helps to get it out of the depths of the subconscious, which makes it possible to resolve it safely.
For example, there was such a case when a woman came to the psychotherapist, whose parts of the personality were completely fragmented and contradicted each other. On her fragile shoulders lay both entrepreneurship, and the often ill child, and personal health problems. In addition to everything, the unfaithfulness of the beloved spouse was revealed, which simply “finished off” her. The psychotherapist Vera Vasilyevna Drizo invited this patient to introduce a small seed, which subsequently behaved very unconventionally - it came to life and grew into a luxurious rose bush.
By the next session, the young woman had changed beyond recognition and admitted that she had "dropped so ten years." And after two weeks, her life noticeably improved, as her husband admitted his mistake and asked for forgiveness, and she was able to forgive his sin and begin to build a life from scratch. Migraine has passed, and the situation at work has developed in a favorable way.
Conclusion
The grain was a huge life potential, which opened up new horizons for the further growth and development of the individual. But without the help of a psychotherapist, a woman would never cope with such a heavy emotional burden and would not find this source of strength in her subconscious.
A powerful stream of energy is stored inside each of us that can turn mountains. And our main task is to get to it and safely use it for our own purposes. And the symbol-drama method, which is quite accessible, will help us in this.