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

Books by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D.

	Rehearsals for Growth: Theater Improvisation for Psychotherapists by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D. 1994; New York: 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 readers to play, to explore, and to expand the possibilities of "who else you can be."
	Beyond Talk Therapy: Using Movement and Expressive Techniques in Clinical Practice Edited by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D. 1999; Washington, DC: 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 approach, describes its theoretical underpinnings, and summarizes research on its effectiveness. Two distinctive features are: (1) two case examples, one more advanced; and (2) a two-column format juxtaposing case narrative with the clinician's commentary.
	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; Washington, DC: APA Books; 299 pages A companion volume to Beyond Talk Therapy, this book features three in-depth chapters on Family and five on Group therapy that illustrate how a variety of action methods were central to the conduct of the therapy in each case.  Cases studies were chosen to represent the broad spectrum of client compositions encountered in family and group treatment: three-generational family systems; intact and blended (step-) nuclear families; multiple family groups; and theme-centered groups with a diversity of populations and presenting problems. The featured clients are diverse with respect to psychosocial functioning, therapeutic setting, and economic resources. While the client population treated in each of the cases is specific, many of the action methods described may be applied to conjoint psychotherapy across a broad range of populations. All chapters give a theoretical orientation and detailed rationale concerning the choice of method at that point in the case.
	Rehearsals for Growth: Collected Papers, 1991-2004 by Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D. 2004; Leverett, MA: 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.
	Interactive and Improvisational Drama: Varieties of Applied Theatre and Performance Edited by Adam Blatner, with Daniel J. Wiener, Ph.D. 2007; New York: iUniverse; 410 pages Dramatic activity encompasses more than professionally staged and scripted performance. Increasingly, forms of applied theatre dramatic activity are proliferating. The thirty-two chapters of this book span the creativity, utility and vitality of applied theatre in contemporary life and are grouped into five sections: education, therapy, recreation, community-building and personal empowerment.