Counter-Playing: A Group Therapy Technique
JAMES M. KRAININ M.D.1
1 Private practice at 952 Beacon St., Newton Center, Mass. 02159 and is Psychiatric Consultant to the Danielson Pastoral Counseling Service, Boston University
The author describes a technique he calls "counter-playing," derived from the role of the alter-ego in psychodrama. The therapist, as the counter-player, mimics the posture and actions of his subject and, after developing empathy for the subject (which takes about five minutes), speaks "for" the person, expressing thoughts the subject has for some reason been unable to express. The author finds this technique very useful in resolving impasses and freeing the therapy or group process to move along.
