Keywords
neuroscience
creativity
catharsis
mirror neuron system
trauma-focused psychodrama
Abstract
Psychodrama is an action-based psychotherapy that enables individuals to explore their past experiences, current conflicts, and future expectations through dramatic enactments. Developed by J. L. Moreno, this approach is grounded in core principles such as spontaneity, creativity, catharsis, and tele. In recent years, increasing interest in the neuroscientific foundations of psychotherapeutic methods has led to investigations into the relationship between psychodrama and brain functions. This review examines the fundamental principles and phases of psychodrama (warm up, action, sharing), as well as key techniques (role reversal, mirroring, doubling), in relation to their neuroscientific counterparts. Findings indicate that psychodrama processes involve the integrated activation of diverse brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, mirror neurons, and language centers. Trauma-focused psychodrama appears to facilitate the reprocessing and transformation of traumatic memories by strengthening integration between the hemispheres and between cortical and limbic structures. Group dynamics further enhance therapeutic effectiveness by reinforcing processes of sharing and empathy. However, the generalizability of current findings is limited by the predominance of small sample sizes and the scarcity of randomized controlled trials. With more comprehensive and experimental studies, the neuroscientific mechanisms of psychodrama may be elucidated more clearly, providing stronger contributions to clinical practice.
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