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The
Drama
Triangle
and Reclaim Your Personal Power
Julia Bushue LIfe Coaching
Victim
Rescuer
Bully
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The Victim
Rapunzel is a totally helpless
prisoner of the Witch. Shes
trapped in a tower (even
though she has everything
she needs to escape) - until
the Prince comes along.
The Rescuer
The Prince falls in love with
Rapunzel and will risk
anything (even his own life)
to save her. Of course, he
expects her undying love
and affection as a reward.
Julia Bushue | www.juliabushue.com
The Bully
The Witch keeps Rapunzel
isolated because of her
own wish for love and
acceptance, lashing out
when Rapunzel starts
asking for independence.
4
Image credits: freeimages.com/Sias van Schalkwyk (castle), Tony Smyth (knight) & Cisco p.a.(witch)
Rescuer
he
becomes the
t
es
Whos going
to take care of
me?
co
be
Be
try ing
ing a m
to art
ma yr,
na de
ge ny
ot ing
he
be
rs nee
co
by ds
me
he ,
st
lpi
he
ng
Victim
,
t
ing en
lam atm
, b tre
se nt
bu ile
la ,s
ica ge
ys ua
ph lang
al/
rb ng
Ve littli
be
Bully
Believe themselves to be
powerless.
Have a hard time taking
responsibility for
improving their situation.
Wish someone would fix
things for them.
Try to get sympathy from
other people or get them
on their side.
Rescuers
Bullies
or
anxiety, irritation,
resentment, self-pity,
shame, helplessness,
or rage
Experiences:
feeling abandoned,
betrayed, trapped,
overwhelmed, or powerless
Question those
beliefs.
Watch out
for black
and white
thinking!
9
Find reasons or evidence why they might not be true, or see if you can come
up with some alternatives.
10
11
12
13
I believe in you!
Its not fun to recognize these tendencies in ourselves, and its not easy to stop
them once theyve become a habit. Its normal (and pretty unavoidable) to find
yourself back on the Triangle from time to time.
Rather than trying to avoid the Triangle or shaming yourself when it happens, take
what youve learned here and use it to practice getting off and reclaiming your
personal power. Feel free to e-mail me at julia@juliabushue.com and let me know
how it goes.
Until next time!
-Julia
Julia Bushue | www.juliabushue.com
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Further Reading
For more in-depth analysis of the Drama Triangle:
The Empath and the Archetypal Drama Triangle - Elaine La Joie
(Free on Amazon as of 9/22/16)
Breaking Free from the Victim Trap - Diane Zimberoff and David Hartman
Books on communication and boundaries:
Nonviolent Communication - Marshall Rosenberg
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How To Say No - Peter Cloud and John Townsend
(Available on Amazon, Scribd, and other online bookstores)
Julia Bushue | www.juliabushue.com
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