ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on theatrical mirroring, which is the foundation of the theatrical response to the personal story. The improvisation in Psychotherapeutic Playback Theater is based on the principle of mirroring, as presented by Winnicott’s object-relations theory, Faulkes’ group analysis and Kohut’s self psychology, and expands it through the theatrical language. Theatrical mirroring has first-rate therapeutic qualities and encompasses qualities such as validation, containment, reflection, play, empathic presence, observation and disillusionment. It confirms the teller’s subjective experience, thus laying the ground for the story’s expansion and revelations of deeper layers within it, which are expected to bring new insights and meanings.
