Reclaiming a fragmented soul: navigating complex trauma with one-to-one psychodrama

This case study, published in the Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie (ZPS), presents the story of Joanna, a woman navigating the intricate landscape of complex trauma rooted in childhood neglect and abuse. It critically examines the application of one-to-one psychodrama as a therapeutic method to address affect regulation, heal disrupted relationships, and integrate the fragmented parts of the psyche. Techniques including the empty chair, surplus reality, Playmobil, and healing rituals, used within the framework of psychodrama, facilitate Joanna’s gradual reclamation of agency over her life. The case study underscores the effectiveness of one-to-one psychodrama in dealing with the multifaceted nature of complex trauma, describing how to reframe traumatic narratives and transform them into a catalyst for self-integration and post-traumatic growth.