What is psychodrama?
History
Psychodrama was conceived and developed by Dr J. L. Moreno, a physician who lived in Vienna at the turn of the 19th century. From his existential philosophy, work with children and refugees and his interest in theatre Dr Moreno developed a way of using dramatic re-enactment and other action methods to help people activate their innate abilities to solve their own problems. He initially called this spontaneity or creativity training.
Dr Moreno who later moved to the United States was one of the founders of group psychotherapy. Psychodrama encourages the spontaneity and creativity of clients for therapeutic purposes. It has very wide applications and has allied disciplines of Sociometry (the measurement of group relations) and Sociodrama. The Psychodramatic method amongst others employs guided dramatic action to examine life“s problems or emotional issues raised by individuals.
What are psychodrama, sociodrama and Action Methods?
The word 'Psychodrama' is often used as a generic term when talking about the range of action methods that J L Moreno developed.
Action methods are used to enable past, present and future life events to be explored. Issues or problems and their possible solutions are enacted rather than just talked about. Psychodrama offers the opportunity to practise new roles safely, see oneself from outside, gain insight and change. There is a director, an action area and group members. The director supports groups to explore new solutions to old problems, group members participate in the drama as significant others and share how they personally relate to and can learn from the presenting issue at the end of the session.
Whether we are seen as stereotypes or as individuals depends upon our language and perspective. The art of psychodrama includes the recognition of a person's private and metaphorical language and the use of multiple perspectives to elicit the subjective experiences of the protagonist, the director and the group members.
Psychodrama can be used in a group or individually for therapy and persona growth. It can also be applied to family and couples therapy. Psychodrama is practised and taught extensively through the world.
Who is psychodrama for?
Psychodrama is for everyone and anyone who would like to experience the spontaneity and 'magic' of working with action methods. Whether your focus is personal, professional, therapy or training
If you're interested in the creative exploration of yourself, your relationships and your life using action as well as words, then you might value and enjoy the psychodramatic method and the personal liberations, self expression and insights that it elicits.
In Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
The vast majority of conditions in psychiatry and therapy are accessible to psychodrama. Common examples are affective disorder (including drug resistant depression), phobias, post-traumatic stress, eating disorders, self harm, alcohol and substance abuse. Long term problems in life-styles or relationships, including marital and family stress, can be addressed through psychodrama whether or not they have resulted in mental illness.
Any person in therapeutic care may benefit from psychodrama, provided that there is an ability and willingness for presentation of self-shown by stepping onto the stage area.
