Sydney

The three stages of the double, the mirror and role reversal, from birth to approximately 5 years, describe Moreno’s foundational sequence for human development. The corresponding techniques of doubling, mirroring and role reversal emerged from Moreno’s theatrical experiments with role playing and spontaneity in the 1920s. At that time, he knew that his psychodramatic methods worked, but not why they worked. His subsequent insight was that the therapeutic effectiveness of these techniques is because they “are profoundly related to the dynamics of human growth” (Moreno 1952 in Fox, 1987:136).

The art of psychodrama comes to fruition in the work of the director. The director functions to bring about the close-to-real-life portrayal of the protagonist’s subjective world, so that it becomes a springboard for their spontaneity, insight and creative intervention. In this regard, the director can be viewed as having three inter-related functions: the producer, the social investigator and the therapeutic guide.

In this workshop, we will focus on the function of the therapeutic guide, including identifying therapeutic interventions, managing auxiliaries, selecting what to respond to and why, and identifying the underlying principles involved, all the while remaining responsive to whatever is occurring on the psychodrama stage.

Psychodrama Professional Development Workshop, Canberra: Integrating imagination and intuition
- Increasing our own capacity to move between fantasy and reality in our work and life.

The imagination is a rich source of insight and inspiration passing through the awareness of each human at all times.
Psychodrama (the play of the soul) enables us to have fun and create meaning as we play with the images that arise spontaneously or through guided fantasy (book or movie or relaxation activity).
It also assists us to integrate these constructively in our daily life and work.

This workshop will focus on building a culture in which relationships flourish, where we are able to live and build, where healing and purpose can be fulfilled. Passion and kindness go hand in hand along with a vision of creative living. Learning to reflect on ones behaviour and others will assist in making interventions. Learning to embrace conflict and problem solving, rather than avoiding concerns that arise, will strengthen relationships and assist in the development of a positive group culture. Leadership abilities and the application of the psychodramatic method will be a focus.

Fri 13th  7pm-9pm, Sat 14th and Sun 15th October, 9.30am-5.30pm

Zerka Moreno likened psychodrama to a three-legged stool. The first leg is psychotherapy, the second is group work and the third is sociometry. In order for the stool to be balanced, all legs must be equal. In this workshop we will be paying attention to the second leg – group work. 

The best way to understand the power of psychodrama is to experience it and these evenings are designed to give participants an opportunity to experience psychodrama in a safe and gentle environment. Each session will be directed by an experienced psychodramatist with time available for questions about the method and its applications.

Recently it has been widely recognised that success in counselling and therapy is hugely dependent on the quality of the relationship between the practitioner and the client. Hope and skill are also important in this and any professional work.
This weekend will draw out the characteristics of a relationship which assists others to develop. Participants can expect to develop these abilities further themselves.