Some experiences are too fearful or painful to let them surface to the conscious mind. So we keep them hidden in the basement and create a doorkeeper to prevent their exposure. This doorkeeper could be an angry outburst, an addiction or denial- to name a few. Some therapies try to expose the pain or fear. Other therapy uses medication. Regulating the meds until the right combination is found may be problematic as  I recently experienced with two close family members. These meds can become a doorkeeper also.

Having a conversation with the Empty Chair allows the door to the basement to open and expose the trauma to some light ,a significant step away from addiction and denial into recovery. Talk therapy and eventually less medication are necessary complements to the psychodrama experience. The psychodrama session offered in a safe space enables one to make significant progress in facing the fear and pain.