ABSTRACT

The Performing Art of Therapy explores the myriad ways in which acting techniques can enhance the craft of psychotherapy. The book shows how, by understanding therapy as a performing art, clinicians can supplement their theoretical approach with techniques that fine-tune the ways their bodies, voices, and imaginations engage with and influence their clients. Broken up into accessible chapters focused on specific attributes of performance, and including an appendix of step-by-step exercises for practitioners, this is an essential guidebook for therapists looking to integrate their theoretical training into who they are as individuals, find joy in their work, expand their empathy, increase self-care, and inspire clients to perform their own lives.

chapter

Prologue

part Act I|1 pages

Prepare

chapter 1|3 pages

Listen

chapter 4|13 pages

Be Present

chapter 5|10 pages

Breathe

chapter 6|10 pages

Embody

chapter 7|7 pages

Speak

chapter 8|7 pages

Warm Up

part Act II|1 pages

Rehearse

chapter 9|9 pages

Frame

chapter 10|13 pages

Play

chapter 11|15 pages

Find the Characters

chapter 12|15 pages

Love

part Act III|1 pages

Perform

chapter 13|8 pages

Narrate

chapter 14|8 pages

Direct

chapter 15|6 pages

Publicize

chapter 16|5 pages

Present

chapter 17|6 pages

Take a Bow

chapter 18|6 pages

Audition

chapter |3 pages

Epilogue