Books by Daniel J. Wiener // Chapters & Journal Articles // Newsletters // Presentations

Books by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D.

Rehearsals for Growth: Theater Improvisation for Psychotherapists

by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D.
1994; W. W. Norton; 290 pages

This book illuminates the connection between theater and therapy, shows how performing improvisation enriches our understanding of social behavior, and enables players to experience greater freedom of expression and a power based on cooperation, imagination, and spontaneity. It contains detailed descriptions and instructions for use of over 150 variations of games and exercises that are applicable to group, couples, family, and individual therapy. These are illustrated by 14 case examples and numerous clinical vignettes; a discussion of how Rehearsals for Growth compares to other therapeutic approaches; and how its techniques can be integrated with other therapies.

Beyond its utility, it captures the alluring quality of improvising, and offers a challenging encounter with the present moment. This book invites you to play, to explore, and to expand the possibilities of who you can be.

Beyond Talk Therapy: Using Movement and Expressive Techniques in Clinical Practice

Edited by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D.
1999; APA Books; 328 pages

Sometimes clients need more than just words to help them change and heal. When traditional "talk therapy" falls short, therapists can turn to action-centered methods that go beyond words, allowing clients to express emotions more freely and often leading to newer and deeper insights. These techniques might include art, dance, yoga, drama, or ritual.

Beyond Talk Therapy is a comprehensive guide to expressive techniques: each of its 13 chapters focuses on a different technique, describes its theoretical underpinnings, and summarizes research on its effectiveness. This book is a must-have for any clinician who wants to acquire new tools for clinical practice.

Action Therapy With Families And Groups: Using Creative Arts Improvisation In Clinical Practice

Edited by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D. & Linda K. Oxford, MAR, MSSW
2003; APA Books; 299 pages

This book introduces clinicians to innovative therapeutic options that can be used with families and groups: action methods or therapy approaches involving physical movement and expressive arts techniques. Since conjoint treatment deals with ongoing interaction among clients, action methods offer better ways of representing and intervening with complex, multi-dimensional patterns than do verbal-sequential approaches.

These complete case studies permit the reader to grasp the significance of and interrelationships among interventions in a larger context than is afforded by briefer journal articles, and also address practical questions regarding the appropriate clinical conditions for the successful employment of these action methods. The eight contributors provide a brief overview of the featured techniques and illustrate the application of these to the featured case, discussing the rationale behind their clinical choices and how they handled any special challenges or complications. Chapters illustrate family therapy that focuses on dealing with: grief and loss; family organization; and the effects of trauma. Group therapy chapters include treatment for: addictive and compulsive disorders; self-mutilation; substance abuse; autism; chronic mental illness; and career difficulties.

Action Therapy With Families And Groups provides clinicians with an outstanding presentation of innovative integrations in which action techniques are central, not adjunctive, to the work. The interested therapist will find much here to expand his or her practice in wonderful ways.

Rehearsals for Growth: Collected papers, 1991-2004

by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D.
2004; Self-Published; 284 pages

Since Rehearsals for Growth: Theater improvisation for Psychotherapists was published in 1994, there have been a number of significant developments: the introduction of the Dramaturgic Model; the development of eight RfG techniques for interpersonal relationship assessment; training of other RfG practitioners; and a broadened application of RfG to other populations. Numerous RfG workshops have been offered to the public and to therapists at over 150 professional conferences in eight countries. To date, more than two thousand clinicians have attended RfG workshops.

This present volume contains all of the 24 outstanding published papers, as well as one chapter in press and three unpublished papers written to date on RfG. These works were compiled in order to provide convenient access to RfG scholarship. It is hoped that readers will find the spirit of playful adventuring inherent in this approach an inspiration to their own lives and practice!