Stuck in a Role: Releasing Trauma in Teens Through the ENACT Drama Therapy Method
An Evidence-Based Approach to Transforming Trauma into Resilience
Stuck in a Role illustrates how adolescents—especially those who experienced developmental trauma—can become “stuck” in protective roles that cause behavioral challenges during their formative years.
The ENACT Drama Therapy Method helps teens find their inner voice and courage to break free from those restrictive, protective roles and reach their true potential.
Practical somatic techniques, trust-building exercises, and case studies presented in Stuck in a Role empower readers with tools to work effectively with struggling teens.
Techniques in Stuck in a Role are ideal for professionals such as:
Creative Arts Educators
Clinical Therapists
Psychotherapists
School Counselors
School Teachers & Administrators
Parents
Originated and developed by Diana J. Feldman, Stuck in a Role author, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), Registered Drama Therapist (RDT), and Board Certified Trainer (BCT).
The ENACT Drama Therapy Method proved its success after reaching hundreds of thousands of vulnerable teen students across the New York City public school system for over 30 years.
“Feldman is perhaps the most experienced practitioner of drama therapy in schools in the world, and she brings her expertise and insight to every page.”
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What’s Covered in Stuck in a Role?
Evidence-Based Drama Therapy Healing Techniques
Somatic classroom and clinical techniques for working with youth who have experienced trauma.
Real-life case studies and success stories from the method’s implementation across New York City public schools.
Step-by-step guidance on implementing drama therapy techniques with teens who struggle with trauma.
Table of Contents
Forward by Dr. Cathy A. Malchiodi, PhD. Author of “Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body, and Imagination in the Healing Process” and Founder of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute.
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Developmental Trauma and Attachment Theory
Understanding Reactive Behavior in Teens
The Aftermath of Developmental Trauma
False Selves/Roles
Intersections of Theater and Therapy
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Preparation
Phase I: The Warm-Up (Theater Games)
Phase II: The Main Activity (Scene Work)
Phase III: The Closure
Case History: A Complete ENACT Session
Key Concepts: For Parents and Other Caring Individuals
What Experts Are Saying About Diana J. Feldman’s Stuck in a Role
“Stuck in a Role takes the reader into the minds and emotions of teenagers using the lens of trauma and attachment theories, revealing their complexity and poignancy. Filled with detailed case examples, lesson plans, theatre games, and step-by-step instructions, this book provides therapists, theatre artists, school counselors, and teachers the necessary information to develop effective programs for struggling teens."
— David Read Johnson, PhD, Institute for Developmental Transformations
“In discussing her ENACT methodology, Diana [Feldman] lays out its theoretical framework, building upon Bessel Van der Kolk’s notion of developmental trauma and many of the key building blocks of drama therapy. In this book, she provides abundant examples to illustrate how and why the ENACT method is so powerful. This book is a gem and should be read by all who aim to integrate creative methodologies in education, health, medicine, theatre and therapy.”
— Robert Landy, PhD, Professor Emeritus, New York University
"This book illuminates how teens often become trapped in a variety of accommodating and protective roles developed to navigate challenging environments, inadvertently reinforcing negative behaviors.
Feldman's innovative method employs play, experimentation, and rehearsal to help young people break free from these confining roles, build crucial relational skills, and find new ways of being.
— Jack Saul, PhD, Director, International Trauma Studies Program, author of Collective Trauma, Collective Healing
"Consolidating years of knowledge from working with hundreds of thousands of youth, Stuck in A Role is a must have resource for any educator or teaching artist looking to use drama to develop students' social emotional skills.
The central premise of the book, that students who have experienced trauma are "stuck in a role" reminds us all of the power of the arts to help students reimagine the person they are and learn to interact with themselves and the world in ways that are constructive, empowered, and ultimately healing.
From research, to practice, to individual case studies, this is a book that will sit within arm’s reach on my shelf to inform my work."
— David Adams, Chief Executive Officer, Urban Assembly and CASEL Board Member
"Theater gives teens a voice; they can say through a role, what they cannot say in real life. It is wonderful that Diana put her successful program ENACT into a form that can allow it to be used more widely to heal teens and to ignite their passion for personal expression going forward."
— Tian Dayton, PhD, TEP, RTR, Creator of Relational Trauma Repair (RTR), and Author
“Through lively classroom scenes and case vignettes, Feldman illustrates how she helps students understand and have compassion for their behaviors. If schools implemented Feldman’s ENACT program in ‘behavior disordered’ classrooms, our schools would have students who could turn their hardships into healing and make positive contributions to society. I recommend the book to anyone working with children."
— Dafna Lender, LCSW, Certified Trainer and Supervisor
"I know this work, I know what ENACT has accomplished, and I know the difference this book can make for the lives of so many struggling young people. Diana Feldman developed these approaches over decades of masterful practice, and now she thoughtfully and effectively offers these tools to the wider field.
We need these tools, and this book delivers. The increases in young people's emotional and psychological stress and trauma are no secret to educators and parents, and it is my fervent hope this book finds its place as a powerful answer to the questions of how to help our most troubled young people. Please study this book carefully and use the solutions it provides."
— Eric Booth, Author, Global Educator, and Youth Creativity Advocate
“Schools have to deal with crises and emergencies every day, however, a lot more drama takes place and staff has to discern which is which.
Stuck in a Role supports teens to experiment with managing their feelings in a safe holding environment allowing them to experience new emotions without getting hit, yelled out or dismissed. By incorporating the ENACT method, students are able to verbalize their pent-up emotions, name it, and analyze the causes. This newly found awareness allows them to accept the emotion normalizing it as part of the human condition."
— Scott Bloom, Director Of Special Projects & Initiatives,
New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center (NYPCC)
5 Roles Teens Play to Hide Their True Selves
Growing up, teens don’t just become who they are, they perform who they think they need to be.
During my 30+ years working in NYC public schools, implementing the ENACT Drama Therapy Method, I’ve witnessed teens unconsciously adopt roles that protect them from judgment, rejection, or pain.
The reality is that these roles keep them stuck from realizing their true selves.
From the Book
About the Author Diana Feldman
Diana J. Feldman is a licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), Registered Drama Therapist (RDT), and Board Certified Trainer (BCT) based in New York City. She is the creator of the ENACT Drama Therapy Method and maintains a private practice where she empowers teens and kids through individualized and group drama therapy sessions.
Feldman’s ENACT Drama Therapy Method incorporates dramatic play, improvisation, and advanced communication techniques. Her methodology was developed into a program implemented in New York City schools for over thirty years through the nonprofit ENACT, Inc. She has published articles on her evidence-based drama therapy method in eleven books and industry journals, including three editions of the Drama Therapy Review, published by Intellect Journals.
About ENACT, Inc.
ENACT, Inc. has served more than 250,000 students, teachers, and parents across all five boroughs of New York City. The organization secured major funding from the New York City Department of Education and the New York City Council Drop-Out Prevention Initiative. The nonprofit was awarded a five-year Ford Foundation Grant to research and expand the ENACT Drama Therapy Method.
Read about Dramasol’s founding and the ENACT Drama Therapy Method in an interview by BoldJourney.
Buy Your Copy of Stuck in a Role
‘Stuck in a Role’ is available for purchase in paperback and hard copy.
** This site uses affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate & Routledge Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases through the purchase links on this website.