Trauma-Focused Psychodrama

Scott Giacomucci is the Director/Founder of Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy in Pennsylvania and an adjunct professor at Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research.

• 1. Introduction to Trauma-Focused Psychodrama 2. Trauma-Informed Principles, Safety, and Harm in Psychodrama 3. Psychodrama Theory and Trauma Treatment 4. Healing Complex Trauma with Psychodrama 5. Sociometry Group Processes for Trauma Therapy 6. Basic Psychodrama Directing Elements and Interventions for Trauma 7. Psychodrama-Like Interventions, Sculptures, Structures, and Empty Chairs 8. Strengths-Based Roles and Resourcing in Psychodrama 9. Honoring Defenses and Dissociation with Psychodrama 10. Working with Parts of Self or Body Parts in Psychodrama 11. Psychodramatic Grief Work with Death, Traumatic Loss, and Complicated Grief 12. Inner Child Work and Psychodrama 13. Psychodramatic Anger Work, Empowerment, Antagonists, and Perpetrators 14. Trauma Recovery Integration, Posttraumatic Growth, and Role Training for the Future with Psychodrama 15. Advanced Directing Techniques: The Group as the Protagonist 16. On Becoming a Psychodramatist: Spontaneity Training and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth

"Scott Giacomucci's book brings an intersection of the macro-vision of healing to the micro-version of healing trauma in the person and group and society. A profoundly skillful presentation awaits you. Jump in and swim in this collection of brilliance and wisdom about the world, our friends, and our lives."Ed Schreiber, DD, Ed.M, MSW, TEP, Director of the Zerka T. Moreno Foundation; Adjunct Professor, Lesley University Drama Therapy Program; Co-Editor of the Autobiography of a Genius by Jacob Moreno, The Quintessential Zerka and To Dream Again by Zerka Moreno"Giacomucci’s work contributes meaningfully to the growing literature on trauma-informed practice. His integration of psychodrama with clinical treatment for complex PTSD is both timely and valuable."Natan P.F. Kellermann, PhD, Clinical psychologist, psychodramatist (retired); author of Focus on Psychodrama (1992), Holocaust Trauma (2009), Sociodrama and Collective Trauma (2007), and co-editor of Psychodrama with Trauma Survivors (2000) "Scott’s careful investigation of the intricacies of psychodramatic interventions and their limitations is, at the very least, a breakthrough in the field and demands careful study."Jonathan D. Moreno, PhD, David and Lyn Silfen University Professor Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania; Author of Impromptu Man (2014) and Absolutely Essential (2025)"Trauma-Focused Psychodrama by Scott Giacomucci is a meticulously crafted and thoughtfully organized guidebook. It offers essential knowledge and clinical wisdom for psychodrama group psychotherapists working with complex trauma, supporting the safer and more effective use of the method. This book stands out as an invaluable resource not only for psychodramatists but for all professionals working in the field of trauma."Deniz Altınay, MA, President of Istanbul Psychodrama Institute; Chair of Psychodrama Section, Co-Chair of the Social and Collective Traumas Commitee of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy (IAGP)"Scott Giacomucci’s Trauma-Focused Psychodrama is more than a training manual—it is a master class in integrating theory, research, and action. Drawing on EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, neurobiology, and the Adaptive Information Processing model, he makes explicit links between psychodrama and contemporary trauma therapies, weaving in concepts such as memory reconsolidation, posttraumatic growth, and role training for recovery. This theoretical clarity, combined with generous practical examples and links to live demonstrations, shows readers not only what to do but why it matters. Scott also addresses psychodrama’s historical reputation for catharsis and powerfully reframes it—shifting ‘Do, Undo, Redo’ to ‘Resource, Undo, Redo’—placing resourcing and integration at the heart of trauma-focused action methods. For students and practitioners alike, this book models the thoughtful, ethically attuned, and evidence-informed psychodrama our field most needs."Catherine D. Nugent, LCPC, TEP, Executive Director/Principal Trainer, Laurel Psychodrama Training Institute; Former Chief, Workforce Development Branch, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration"Long ago I had decades of experience with the power of psychodrama in bringing about change with our patients who now would be diagnosed with complex PTSD although that terminology had not yet evolved. Nothing was as effective as a therapeutic tool that could compare to psychodrama. But like any other power tool, it must be developed in the hands of competent, responsible and safe practitioners. This is why I am so pleased that Scott Giacomucci is extending his important work with a special focus on these patients. I am truly gratified that finally, psychodrama is getting the attention it deserves and that is long overdue."Sandra L. Bloom, MD, Founder of Creating Presence; Author of Creating Sanctuary: Toward the Evolution of Sane Societies; Chief Editor of The Oxford Handbook of Trauma-Informed Social Health; Associate Professor Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University"This authoritative, careful, systematic, and remarkably international guide offers an unprecedented look into the theory and application of psychodramatic techniques across diverse settings. It is an important addition for education professionals worldwide, presenting scientifically reflected, intercontinental applications and numerous role models for enhancing one's own educational practice."Dan Tomasulo, PhD, TEP, MFA, MAPP, Professor of Education, Academic Director, Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University"Human services fields must meet the changing needs of people who are experiencing increasing complex effects of multiple challenges. Dr. Scott Giacomucci has an instinct for healing-focused orientations and interventions that not only consider trauma’s impacts but also trauma’s possibilities. In this practical and hopeful book, Dr. Giacomucci leads us through what is needed to co-create spaces of deep resilience. Not the ability to return to a pre-trauma shape but the potent welcome of tenacious integrative transformation."Leticia Nieto, PsyD, LMFT, TEP, Leadership coach, psychotherapist, and educator, author of Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment: A Developmental Strategy to Liberate Everyone, former Professor of Counseling, Saint Martin's University"Dr. Scott Giacomucci’s Trauma-Focused Psychodrama: Experiential Therapy for Complex PTSD is a groundbreaking and essential contribution to the literature on psychodrama and trauma treatment. This book offers not only a deep exploration of trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD through the lens of psychodrama but also provides practical, experiential guidance for clinicians and trainees alike. As an international trainer, I see this work as a vital resource for psychodramatists, social workers, and mental health professionals across the globe, and I believe it will become a cornerstone text for training programs and certification preparation worldwide."Daniela Simmons, PhD, TEP, Creator of Tele’Drama; International Trainer, Educator, and Supervisor in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy; Leadership and Organizational Consultant"In his new book, Trauma-Focused Psychodrama: Experiential Therapy for Complex PTSD, Dr. Scott Giacomucci builds on the foundation of his previous work to make the case for the use of psychodrama as a primary modality for the treatment of complex trauma. As before, Dr. Giacomucci emphasizes the need for practitioner training and the safety and the safeguarding of clients as essential bases of this powerful technique that is both trauma-informed and trauma-responsive. I highly recommend this text."Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, Consultant/Trainer, Trauma Psychology and Trauma Treatment, Author, Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivors in Therapy (1988; 2010), Co-editor, The Treatment Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adults (2009; 2020), Author, It’s Not You, It’s What Happened to You (2014; 2020)"Scott Giacomucci articulates innovative approaches to experiential group treatment grounded in theory and refined through extensive clinical practice. His book effectively addresses complex trauma reactions within a cost-efficient group format, while maintaining the highest standards for participant safety."Jacqueline Corcoran, PhD, LCSW, Professor and Faculty Director, DSW Program, School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania