Hypnodrama: Integrating Depth, Embodiment, and Spontaneity in Psychotherapy

This editorial introduces hypnodrama as an integrative therapeutic approach that combines hypnosis with psychodrama to facilitate deep psychological exploration and healing. Drawing on contemporary understandings of embodiment, it emphasizes how enacted, bodily expression allows clients to access and transform implicit emotional and somatic memories rather than relying solely on verbal insight. The paper highlights spontaneity and role-playing as central mechanisms through which clients encounter different parts of the self in relation to others, supported by the group as a mirroring and containing environment. Within a hypnotic state, protagonists can more safely and vividly engage with traumatic memories, inner-child states, and symbolic or metaphorical experiences, aligning with Moreno’s notion of surplus reality. Hypnodrama is presented as particularly useful in trauma work and complex emotional difficulties, where it may reduce the risk of retraumatization while deepening access to unconscious material. The article concludes by underscoring the promise of hypnodrama and calling for more empirical research, clearer clinical guidelines, and broader training to support its ethical and effective use.