PSYCHODRAMA AND GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY
I n 1949, I became a student of psychodrama and group psychotherapy
with the creator of these methodologies Dr. J. L. Moreno. Since that time I became
a colleague of Moreno, and in Morenoís later years --one of his best friends. As
a result of my training and work with Moreno at his Beacon, N.Y. Psychiatric Hospital,
I have trained and directed psychodrama workshops all over the United States, Europe,
and Japan. My full viepoint on psychodrama and group psychotherapy is found in my
book PSYCHODRAMA (BEN LINK HERE TO BOOKS). Following is a brief version of the psychodrama
approach:
Psychodrama was created by Dr, J. L. Moreno, a psychiatrist in Austria in 1910. He
developed the theory and method of psychodrama, along with many of his students,
in the United States, where he practiced psychiatry and directed the Psychodrama
Institute in New York from 1924 untiI his death in 1978. His wife Zerka Moreno and
his son Jonathan Moreno carry on his important work. Psychodrama group therapy Is
now utilized as a significant and respected therapeutic method around the world.
Psychodrama is basically an exploration, by dramatic methods, of relationships a
person has to others and the problems they encounter in their relationships. It may
be viewed as an experimental procedure In which the Individual may test his relationship
with others by using an "auxiliary ego", another person who plays the mother,
father, or other role. In the course of a psychodrama, the subject recognizes and
can clarify for themselves the existence of his of their problems. They can in the
process become aware of alternative solutions, and resolve their problems.
A psychodrama director begins a session through a "warming up" process
in which he helps the group to select an issue and a protagonist or subject, the
person around whose problems the group therapy session will revolve. The protagonist
is asked to present themselves on their stage of life and to enact situations that
are relevant to their problem. The session can be an issue in the past, the present,
or their anticipation of a future problem.
The group present is not an audience as in a theatrical production. The group present
is crucial to a psychodrama because all members are considered participants. Many
members will participate actively at some point in the session as auxiliary egos
to the protagonist playing such roles as parents, son, daughter, or spouse. However,
even those who sit through a session without speaking are expected to be empathetic
and identify with the protagonist and the problem being presented for their benefit
and the protagonists.
There are generally three phases to a classic psychodrama session: The warmup, which
involves members of the group tuning- in to each other's concerns and focusing on
a protagonist and a problem. The heart of the session involves the role-playing portrayal
of various key scenes and the use of various techniques necessary to reveal the problem
and move toward its solution. And finally there is the sharing at the end of the
session which involves an intensive examination by the director, the protagonist,
and the group on the meaning of the session.
In the process, some of the methods utilized include: (l) "role-reversal,"
a method that enables protagonists to see themselves from another point of view;
(2) "doubling," which can facilitate members of the group to participate
by sharing their viewpoint with the protagonist; (3) "soliloquizing," a
method that enables a protagonist to share their most intimate thoughts in a crucial
situation in their life; (4) "future-projection," a method that presents
the opportunity for the protagonist to project himself into his future life; and
(4) "group-sharing," the significant process which enables members of the
group to share their emotions and possible solutions they derived from the session.
In psychodrama, the protagonist and the group present are encountering their conflicts
and psychological pain in a setting that more closely approximates their real-life
situation than in other therapeutic approaches. Psychodrama can produce peak experiences,
and exciting modes of acting-out, that often results in positive behavioral change
in the person's real life situation.
In most psychodrama sessions, therapeutic benefits accrue to members of the group
other than the central protagonist who is center stage. Group participants, other
than the main subject of the session, are encouraged to witness aspects of their
own lives that became manifest in the session, as if watching a dramatic play that
projects their own behavior onto the psychodrama stage In front of them. This kind
of personal participation either as a subject or member of a group in a psychodrama
produces maximum emotional impact and therapeutic benefits.
PSYCHOTHERAPY TREATMENT AND TRAINING POSITIONS
From1951-1953 I performed all facets of work as Youth Division Supervisor at the
Essex County New Jersey Juvenile House of Detention in treating juvenile delinquents
being held in custody, awaiting court disposition ; Also during this period, I directed
group psychotherapy and psychodrama groups with criminal/addicts at New York Cityís
Rikers Island Prison, and the Riverside Hospital for adolescent drug addicts; From1965-1982
I was a Consultant and Trainer in group psychotherapy and psychodrama methods to
the psychotherapy staff at several California State Hospitals located at Camarillo,
Metropolitan State Hospital, and Atascadero State Hospital; From1983-1994 I directed
group psychotherapy and Psychodrama sessions with adolescent and adult patients at
VAN NUYS PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, COLDWATER CANYON PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL; and the C.P.C.
WESTWOOD PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL where I was Director of Psychodrama and Group Therapy
Services from1985 to1990.
TRAINER AND CONSULTANT TO VARIOUS THERAPEUTIC-COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Since 1985. I have directed over 30 weeklong workshops on psychodrama and group psychotherapy
for mental health professionals at various correctional institutions, prisons, and
training institutes in the U.S., Europe and Japan. This type of training was directed
in Therapeutic Communities In Rome, Turin, Berlin and Athens. In 1994, by invitation,
I was a consultant to the Japan Ministry of Justice and gave lectures in Tokyo on
group methods for their Criminal Justice System. Since December 1990, I have been
a consultant and directed group therapy and psychodrama sessions for Amity Inc. with
a variety of prisoners incarcerated in the California Department of Corrections Donovan
Prison in San Diego and a Beaumont, Texas prison. The projects involve a special
research and psychotherapeutic effort at resocializing 200 inmates housed in the
prisons. The project involves both ex-criminal and professional therapeutic agents
in a ětherapeutic community" modality for rehabilitating offenders in a prison
program.
In l998, as previously indicated, I was invited by the Italian Government to utilize
psychodrama and group therapy methods in the training of mental health professionals
working with HIV/AIDS patients in three weeklong workshops at the CTS therapeutic
community in Turin, Italy.