What is psychodrama — and what it is not (and why you’ll want attend this year’s psychodrama conference)
When we think of psychodrama — if we think of it at all — we connect it with some odd kind of wild and wonderful public drama with the private lives celebrities in full view.
In fact, gossipy headlines about the recent Netflix documentary series about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their decision to step back from their duties with the British royal family as a “psychodrama.” An earlier write up about the messy state of British politics used the same word. And just this week, a commentator on MSNBC used psychodrama to describe the conflict on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
No, no, no!
Psychodrama, dear friends, is so much more. In fact, psychodrama isn’t about celebrities at all. Rather, the method of psychodrama, as originated by Dr. J.L. Moreno, the European-born physician, mystic and philosopher, that uses improvisation and other interactive activities to explore a problem, issue or learning challenge.
Although Dr. Moreno wanted psychodrama to be employed for the benefit of humankind, it has firmly landed in the sector of clinical psychotherapy. Never mind that it has enlivened people for decades in education, business, training and organizational development, spiritual growth, coaching, social justice and the law.
People who practice and teach psychodrama are called directors and are nationally board-certified by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy. Other professionals integrate parts of this method in their professional disciplines after intensive training although they do not choose the certification route.
What happens during a psychodrama session?
A typical session begins with warm-up activity that readies the person or group for action. These are not generic ice breakers — a misnomer — but rather a thoughtfully designed series of activities to support entering a spontaneous and unscripted enactment.
Through enactment, we explore issues and concerns in a safe environment. This the “drama” part of the session. With the warm-up activities and the dramatic portion, psychodrama helps people discover their inner truth, express emotions, try out new roles and establish authentic interactions with others.
Practitioners who use role play aren’t necessarily using psychodrama although psychodrama theory is the root of role play, and the methodology gives us the valuable role-playing techniques of doubling, role reversal and soliloquy, among others.
I’ve heard of psychodrama in the media when discussing a political situation or other dramatic incident, even a musical group.
See comments about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle above. Psychodrama refers to the method originated by Dr. Moreno and developed by his third wife and collaborator Zerka Moreno and expanded by later trainers. It does not refer to current events, movies, television or theater productions that are psychologically intense.
Psychodrama is the true forerunner of creative arts therapies as we know them today. Psychodrama is not drama therapy — which is a separate and distinct creative arts discipline — and aspiring drama therapists must include psychodrama training as part of their drama therapy training.
It is an effective way to build community — a powerful healing force — and an important avenue to develop creativity and spontaneity in daily life.
How does psychodrama help?
Psychodrama — meaning “psyche in action” — helps us explore our inner and outer worlds with action. Because it “shows us” rather than “tells us,” we have the opportunity to experience and learn the stories of ourselves and others in a fresh and immediate way.
Psychodramatists have employed this method to train Secret Service agents to respond to emergency situations, help attorneys win difficult cases, develop innovative lesson plans in all levels of schools, and heal people suffering depression, trauma and addiction.
How do I get training in psychodrama?
Although colleges and universities may offer occasional classes on psychodrama in their psychology, social work or sociology departments, most trainees find an independent board-certified trainer for in-depth study and supervision.
When you enroll in a training program, you will learn the foundation of the method, including role theory, techniques to measure and enhance a person’s social networks, and a theory of how to stimulate and engage creativity. all through proven techniques.
You will be able to adapt the method for your work and population. Psychodrama is not a bag of techniques but rather based on a specific theory, and training and supervision are important to practice skillfully.
If you’re not ready to plunge into a psychodrama training program — or if you are enrolled in training and want to observe other training styles — attending a professional conference or a regional collective chapter meeting is a great way to start.
Annual psychodrama conference in New York City in 2023
In 2023, the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama returns to its annual in-person conference after nearly four years of online conferences. The next conference, scheduled March 29 to April 2, 2023, takes place at Fordham University in The Bronx, New York City, and includes dozens of workshops by top trainers as well as keynote and plenary speakers, an awards ceremony and other events.
For information about the organization and the conference, click here. To subscribe to the mailing list for the conference, click here. For information about obtaining certification in psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy, click here.
About Karen
Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, is the author of Integrating Psychodrama and Systemic Constellation Work: New Directions for Action Methods, Mind-Body Therapies and Energy Healing with Ronald Anderson and other books about experiential methods including Healing Eating Disorders with Psychodrama and Other Action Methods: Beyond the Silence and the Fury with Linda Ciotola and Show and Tell Psychodrama: Skills for Therapists, Coaches Teachers Leaders. She is the founder of the Lancaster School of Psychodrama and Experiential Psychotherapies in Lancaster, Pa., which teaches transformational learning in a variety of experiential methods and practices, including psychodrama, sociometry, Family and Systemic Constellations, sand tray, group skills and more. Subscribe to her e-letter for professionals to get first notice of training events, Early Bird discounts, helpful links and inspiring info. You may subscribe here.
