PRE-ORDER NOW
Stuck in a Role:
Releasing Trauma in Teens Through the ENACT Drama Therapy Method
An Evidence-Based Approach to
Transforming Trauma into Resilience
Stuck in a Role illustrates how adolescents—especially those who experienced developmental trauma—can become “stuck” in protective roles that cause behavioral challenges during their formative years.
The ENACT Drama Therapy Method helps teens find their inner voice and courage to break free from those restrictive, protective roles and reach their true potential.
Practical techniques, trust-building exercises, and case studies presented in Stuck in a Role empower readers with tools to work effectively with struggling teens.
Techniques in Stuck in a Role are ideal for professionals such as:
Creative Arts Educators
Clinical Therapists
Psychotherapists
School Counselors
School Teachers & Administrators
Parents
Originated and developed by Diana Feldman, Stuck in a Role author, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), Registered Drama Therapist (RDT), and Board Certified Trainer (BCT).
The ENACT Drama Therapy Method proved its success after reaching hundreds of thousands of vulnerable teen students across the New York City public school system for over 30 years.
“Feldman is perhaps the most experienced practitioner of drama therapy in schools in the world, and she brings her expertise and insight to every page.”
PRE-ORDER STUCK IN A ROLE
Orders will be shipped after May 19, 2025.
What’s Covered in Stuck in a Role?
Evidence-Based Drama Therapy Healing Techniques
Classroom and clinical techniques for working with youth who have experienced trauma.
Real-life case studies and success stories from the method’s implementation across New York City public schools.
Step-by-step guidance on implementing drama therapy techniques with struggling teens.
Table of Contents
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Developmental Trauma and Attachment Theory
Understanding Reactive Behavior in Teens
The Aftermath of Developmental Trauma
False Selves/Roles
Intersections of Theater and Therapy
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Preparation
Phase I: The Warm-Up (Theater Games)
Phase II: The Main Activity (Scene Work)
Phase III: The Closure
Case History: A Complete ENACT Session
Key Concepts: For Parents and Other Caring Individuals
What Experts Are Saying About Stuck in a Role
“Stuck in a Role takes the reader into the minds and emotions of teenagers using the lens of trauma and attachment theories, revealing their complexity and poignancy. Filled with detailed case examples, lesson plans, theatre games, and step-by-step instructions, this book provides therapists, theatre artists, school counselors, and teachers the necessary information to develop effective programs for struggling teens."
— David Read Johnson, PhD, Institute for Developmental Transformations
“In discussing her ENACT methodology, Diana [Feldman] lays out its theoretical framework, building upon Bessel Van der Kolk’s notion of developmental trauma and many of the key building blocks of drama therapy. In this book, she provides abundant examples to illustrate how and why the ENACT method is so powerful. This book is a gem and should be read by all who aim to integrate creative methodologies in education, health, medicine, theatre and therapy.”
— Robert Landy, PhD, Professor Emeritus, New York University
"This book illuminates how teens often become trapped in a variety of accommodating and protective roles developed to navigate challenging environments, inadvertently reinforcing negative behaviors.
Feldman's innovative method employs play, experimentation, and rehearsal to help young people break free from these confining roles, build crucial relational skills, and find new ways of being.
— Jack Saul, PhD, Director, International Trauma Studies Program, author of Collective Trauma, Collective Healing
“Through lively classroom scenes and case vignettes, Feldman illustrates how she helps students understand and have compassion for their behaviors. If schools implemented Feldman’s ENACT program in ‘behavior disordered’ classrooms, our schools would have students who could turn their hardships into healing and make positive contributions to society. I recommend the book to anyone working with children."
— Dafna Lender, LCSW, Certified Trainer and Supervisor
Diana Feldman, Author of Stuck in a Role & Drama Therapist
Diana J. Feldman is a licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), Registered Drama Therapist (RDT), and Board Certified Trainer (BCT) based in New York City. She is the creator of the ENACT Drama Therapy Method and maintains a private practice where she empowers teens and kids through individualized and group drama therapy sessions.
Feldman’s ENACT Drama Therapy Method incorporates dramatic play, improvisation, and advanced communication techniques. Her methodology was developed into a program implemented in New York City schools for over thirty years through the nonprofit ENACT, Inc. She has published articles on her evidence-based drama therapy method in eleven books and industry journals, including three editions of the Drama Therapy Review, published by Intellect Journals.
About ENACT, Inc.
ENACT, Inc. has served more than 250,000 students, teachers, and parents across all five boroughs of New York City. The organization secured major funding from the New York City Department of Education and the New York City Council Drop-Out Prevention Initiative. The nonprofit was awarded a five-year Ford Foundation Grant to research and expand the ENACT Drama Therapy Method.
Read about DramaSol’s founding and the ENACT Drama Therapy Method in an interview by BoldJourney.
Get Your Copy of Stuck in a Role
Pre-order your copy today! The book will be shipped after May 19, 2025, on release. Paperback and hardback copies available.
A Closer Look at the
ENACT Drama Therapy Method
Eyewitness News 7 (WABC-TV) features ENACT, Inc., the successful nonprofit founded by author Diana Feldman, and its implementation across New York City schools. Watch how the ENACT Drama Therapy Method engages students through individualized and group drama therapy sessions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Drama Book Shop | Stuck in a Role: Releasing Trauma in Teens (In-Person Book Signing & Demo)
Join us on Thursday, May 29, 2025, between 7:30 - 8:30 PM at The Drama Book Shop as we celebrate the launch of the critically acclaimed book, “Stuck in a Role: Releasing Trauma in Teens Through the ENACT Drama Therapy Method,” by author Diana Feldman (LCAT, RDT, BCT).
Hosted at the famous Drama Book Shop on 266 West 39th Street—under new management since 2020 by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In The Heights)—author Diana Feldman will discuss her unique ENACT Drama Therapy Method, and its successful implementation across New York City public schools through her nonprofit, ENACT, Inc.
The evening will include a brief demonstration using actors to showcase the ENACT Drama Therapy Method live. Registration through Eventbrite is free, but a purchased copy of the book is required upon entry. Copies of the book will be sold on location.
Sign up to receive alerts when tickets go on sale April 24th!
May 29
7:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue:
The Drama Book Shop (see in Google Maps)
266 West 39th Street
New York, NY
Registration through Eventbrite and a purchased copy of the book are required for entry.
FREE Tickets go on sale April 24, 2025.
Sign up below to receive email alerts!
Stuck in the Trauma: Reclaiming Joy and Resilience through Creative Arts Therapies (In-Person Training)
A one-day in-person training on June 13, 2025, with Diana Feldman, LCAT, and Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, in New York City.
Early Bird Registration (through May 25, 2025): $179.00
Regular Registration (beginning May 26, 2025): $219.00
Training Day Schedule:
Check-in: 9:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
1- Hour Lunch (on your own)
Afternoon Session: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (with mid-afternoon break)
For information about the training’s refund policy, continuing education credits, and other event details, please see the full event page on the Expressive Arts Therapy Thinkific website.
June 13
9:00 AM
Venue:
Church of the Village (see in Google Maps)
201 West 13th Street
New York, NY
Registration required upon entry. See full event page for more details.
ENACT Drama Therapy Method | Virtual Training & Certification (Part 1)
Our virtual training sessions teach the ENACT Drama Therapy Method to mental health professionals, counselors, art educators, public school teachers, administrators, and parents. Our training supports work with youth who have experienced trauma in schools, hospitals, juvenile justice centers, and other youth programs.
This virtual training is a prerequisite for the ENACT Method Training (Part 2). CEs will be available for this training.
Virtual Training Participants will receive the following:
Basic introduction to the ENACT Drama Therapy Method
A Breakdown of Attachment Theory
Reasons Behind Developmental Trauma and Its Impact on Behavior
Role-Play Interventions and Theater Games