This essay describes my work as a director in a specialized orientation within psychodrama, surrealistic psychodrama. Using the language and performance techniques of theater and under the guidance of a director, psychodrama creates an improvised narrative or story. The essay describes several dramas I have directed, reflecting on my actions and choices as a director and group leader. I examine whether my working method has allowed me to be spontaneous and creative, which I believe the example of "The dangerous bear" demonstrates. The process enabled me to establish trust and receptivity so that a newly constituted group dared to investigate conflicts in symbolic ways associated with illness and death. In addition I have investigated connections between the theory and philosophy of psychodrama and that of the theater of ancient Greece and Friedrich Nietzsche, all of which share the view that Dionysian or unbounded energy is significant for change. At the same time J. L Moreno, the founder of psychodrama, has made me aware that the philosophy of ancient Greek theater and Nietzsche require boundaries and fixed forms for this amorphous energy: Apollonian energy, calling for reflection and new roles. The essay also addresses developments in the Swedish healthcare system’s approach to treatment, where the requirement that methods be predicable and proven effective weighs more heavily than developing the individual’s own ability to function personally and professionally using good judgment and an increased ethical awareness. In conclusion I consider how, on a personal level, the essay has made it possible for me to combine creativity, logical reasoning and scholarly writing, which has been a great challenge.

I studien undersöks individers upplevelse av gruppsykoterapeutisk behandling för komplicerad sorg. Genom halvstrukturerade djupintervjuer och kvalitativa enkätfrågor erhålls beskrivningar från olika livsvärldar utifrån individers olika perspektiv. En tolkningsram har tagits fram innehållande tidigare forskning samt teoretiska utgångspunkter vilken utgör verktyg för analys av erhållna resultat. I resultatavsnittet framhålls den oerhörda och ibland avgörande betydelse behandlingen haft för individernas välbefinnande. Det framkommer också tre aspekter som varit avgörande för det positiva resultatet av behandlingen nämligen relationen till terapeuten, den metod som använts samt gemenskapen i gruppen. Vidare undersöktes gemenskapens betydelse på en djupare nivå. Det resultat som framkom var att förståelse från de andra i gruppen, att individerna insåg att de inte vara unika om sin situation samt att en medvetenhet och insikt uppstod i tankeprocesser och det interpersonella beteendet var det som hade störst betydelse i gemenskapen. Denna upptäckt presenteras som en tentativ modell som kan ligga till grund för framtida forskning. Slutligen diskuteras resultat och analys i relation till syfte och tolkningsram samt presenteras slutsatser och ytterligare förslag till framtida forskning. / The study examines individuals' experience of group psychotherapy for complicated grief treatment. Through semi-structured interviews and qualitative survey questions have descriptions of the various life worlds of individuals from different perspectives been obtained. Previous research and theories are presented which constitute tools for analysis of the obtained results. The results present the tremendous and sometimes vital significance the treatment had on individuals' wellbeing. It also presents three aspects that were decisive for the positive outcome of the treatment. These were the relationship to the therapist, the method used and the community in the group. The meaning of community was further examined on a deeper level. The obtained result of this question shows that understanding from the other group members, the fact that the individuals' realized that they’re not unique about their situation and that awareness and insight in thoughts and interpersonal behavior arose were of greatest meaning. This discovery is presented as a tentative model that could provide a basis for future research. The results are discussed and analyzed in relation to the purpose of the study and previous research. Finally, conclusions and further suggestions for future research are presented.