psychodrama

A technique used primarily in certain forms of group therapy in which clients perform roles, often playing the parts of themselves in various socially stressful situations and sometimes playing the parts of their antagonists. This gives them the opportunity to act out their inner feelings to relieve anxiety, to practice handling situations better, and to experience the situation from another person's viewpoint. The other group members or psychodrama participants play roles, too, which gives everyone a chance to relate to one another from different perspectives.