Dr. John meets with Aimee Hadfield, a board-certified practitioner of group therapy, sociometry, and psychodrama, as she shares her journey into mental health work. Although she initially didn’t believe in therapy, the loss of her brother and her drive to help others led her to co-found Hearten House, an experiential therapy center. Aimee recounts a pivotal moment during a psychodrama training that transformed her perspective, emphasizing the embodied, individualized nature of psychodrama and its unique ability to access deeper emotional healing beyond traditional talk therapy.
The episode explores how psychodrama—an action-based, person-centered therapeutic approach—uses embodiment, role reversal, and group dynamics to help individuals access inner wisdom and reshape their internal narratives. Aimee and Dr. John discuss how psychodrama supports healing through spontaneity, movement, and emotional engagement, often unlocking insights unavailable through conventional modalities. Aimee explains tools like spectrograms, sociometry, and role-playing with symbolic figures to access strength-based roles, reframe trauma, and foster transformation.
They also delve into psychodrama's applications for addiction recovery, grief, family roles, and self-perception, emphasizing its research-backed effectiveness in reducing anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Aimee speaks to the power of group therapy and how psychodrama allows clients to physically rehearse new behaviors, leading to neurologically reinforced change. The episode ends with a reflection on spontaneity as a remedy for the impulsivity epidemic fueled by digital overstimulation, and Aimee’s encouragement to seek therapists with rigorous psychodrama training.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Show more...