What is it?

This workshop uses the Karpman Drama Triangle to help participants recognise and shift away from dysfunctional relationship roles.

Why is it useful?

Breaking free from the Drama Triangle is the key to healthier, more fulfilling personal and professional relationships.

The Karpman Drama Triangle was developed by psychiatrist Stephen Karpman in 1968 as a social model mapping dysfunctional interaction patterns between Persecutor, Victim, and Rescuer roles.

Objective

To learn how to identify the Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer dynamics and practise healthier, constructive alternatives.

Resources Required

• Time: 1.5 hours
• Number of People: About 4-20
• PowerPoint slides or a whiteboard for the presentation
• Supporting slides
• Role-play scenarios (separate download)
• Flip charts for recording discussions
• Marker pens

Process

Step 1: Introduction & Overview (20 minutes)

Objective: Introduce participants to the Karpman Drama Triangle and its roles (Victim, Persecutor, Rescuer). Lay the foundation for recognising these patterns in everyday interactions.

1. Facilitator Presentation:
   Briefly explain the Karpman Drama Triangle and its three roles using the supporting slides. Use simple, relatable examples to illustrate how these roles appear in conversations or relationships.

2. Group Discussion:
   Ask participants to think of times when they might have played one of these roles (Victim, Persecutor, or Rescuer) and discuss in pairs or small groups. Prompt them with questions like:

   • "Have you ever felt the need to rescue someone or been rescued?"
   • "When have you felt like a Victim or found yourself blaming others?"

3. Debrief:
   Gather insights from the discussion by asking a few volunteers to share their examples with the group. Highlight patterns and behaviours.

Step 2: Role-Playing the Drama Triangle (30 minutes)

Objective: Help participants understand the Drama Triangle roles through role-playing scenarios.

1. Divide Participants into Groups of 3:

   • Each group will act out a short scenario in which one person plays the Victim, one the Persecutor, and one the Rescuer.
   • Provide them with the sample scenarios in this pack (or separate download).
   • Encourage creativity and let them adjust the script to fit different settings (work, family, etc.).

2. Switch Roles:

   • After acting out the scenario, have participants switch roles and replay the situation from a different perspective.
   • This helps them experience the emotions and motivations behind each role.

3. Group Debrief:

   • After each group finishes, bring everyone back together. Discuss:
     • How did it feel to play each role?
     • Were any roles more comfortable or familiar than others?
     • How might these roles show up in real-life situations?

Step 3: Breaking Free from the Triangle (30 minutes)

Objective: Teach participants strategies to break out of the Drama Triangle by shifting to healthier, more constructive roles.

1. Facilitator Presentation:
   Introduce alternatives to each role:

   • Victim → Creator: Take responsibility and find ways to address challenges rather than feeling powerless.
   • Persecutor → Challenger: Provide constructive feedback and challenge others to grow without attacking or blaming.
   • Rescuer → Coach: Support others in finding solutions rather than rescuing them.

2. Role Playing:

   • Ask participants to return to their small groups. This time, they will replay their earlier scenarios but focus on breaking out of the triangle by embodying the healthier roles (Creator, Challenger, Coach).
   • They should work together to rewrite their original scenario, guiding the interaction toward a constructive resolution.

3. Debrief:

   • Bring the group back together and discuss the changes they observed.
   • How did the interaction change when people shifted out of the Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer roles?
   • What new possibilities emerged when people took responsibility or provided constructive support?

Reflection (10 minutes)

1. End the workshop by asking participants to reflect on how they might apply these new roles in their personal and professional lives.
2. Encourage them to share one key takeaway or commitment for future behaviour.