068 - Stuck In A Role: Diana Feldman on Drama, Trauma, and Reclaiming Personal Agency

In this compelling episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, host Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Diana Feldman, a trailblazer in the field of drama therapy and the founder of a groundbreaking non-profit organization that served over 200,000 students in New York City schools for 25 years.

Diana shares her journey of developing the ENACT Drama Therapy Method—an evidence-based approach recognized by the American Group Psychotherapy Association as the Best Creative Group Counseling Method. She discusses how drama therapy helps individuals process trauma, reclaim their narratives, and build emotional resilience.

With insights from her upcoming book, Stuck in a Role: Releasing Trauma in Teens (Routledge Press, Spring 2025), Diana delves into the transformative power of role-playing, storytelling, and creative expression in educational and therapeutic settings.

This episode explores how drama therapy helps break the cycle of gaslighting and emotional abuse, the impact of role-playing in healing trauma, especially in teens, and tools for therapists and educators to create lasting change. Diana also emphasizes the importance of reclaiming personal agency through creative expression.

Her contributions to the field have earned her multiple awards, including a five-year research grant from the Ford Foundation and recognition from the NYC Council and State Education organizations. She continues to train therapists and educators, ensuring that drama therapy remains a vital tool for healing.

Join us for this enlightening conversation on how creativity can be a powerful force for emotional recovery.

To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone.

Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/

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Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a

Dr. Robin Stern's Books:

The Gaslight Effect

The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide

Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders

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