e not only helps clients reflect on and integrate the past, but creates a sense of opening to the futureùpointing to the steps that lie ahead, the possibilities, and the hope as one continues the journeyö (45).
The use of role play and dramatic literature are critical throughout the phases of drama therapy. Role play is the foundation of drama therapy. This is mainly because of BlatnerÆs view that individuals to be healthy and free of neurosis must develop ôa good inner manager that ensures multiple personality orderö (Emunah 1994, 17). Reinvention of self and carrying out a number of roles in social interaction are key themes within role play and drama therapy. However, there use of role play and dramatic literature must be applied in a controlled and structured manner by the therapist. For example, in the early phases of drama therapy the roles clientÆs play are primarily fictions. In later phases of therapy the roles are typically drawn from real-life experiences. The whole integrated self will consist of multiple roles and reinventions. BlatnerÆs concept of role posits ôa separation between a psychic identification with a complex of behavior and the potential of the self to choose alternativesö (Emunah 1994, 13).
When applying role play and dramatic literature in the therapeutic process, different case studies enables us to see a variety of applications can be effective in helping clients heal. Role play and dramatic literature enable the clients to observe the self and reflect on the past and present in a manner that does not typically occur in real life when playing roles. There is a symbiotic relationship between role playing and our lifeÆs roles. As Emunah (1994) argues, ôOur dramas reflect our lives, and we come to understand our lives better via our dramasö (14). We see such expression in the case of Shawn. Shawn is a single-mother and an adult child of alcoholic parents. ShawnÆs lack of vali...