Psychodrama

Catalog description

Psychodrama is a creative and experiential approach that uses guided dramatic enactments (role-playing) to explore and gain insight into personal and interpersonal issues. It is often used in groups, but can also be applied effectively in clinical settings. Psychodrama allows participants to enact internal conflicts and external situations by externalizing them and exploring them in interaction in a safe and supportive environment, promoting emotional healing and personal empowerment. This course is an introduction to the practice of psychodrama and its attendant social science of sociometry. Students will learn through a combination of practicing and developing skills in experiential group action methods, research, co-creation, didactics, group sharing, reflections and an end of quarter paper and presentation. Students will gain a basic understanding of the foundational philosophy, theories and methods as developed by J.L. Moreno which ground and structure the application of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy. In psychodrama we will examine and explore the “drama”, the reactive experience, so that reactions can change into choices and responses, increasing personal presence and flexibility. Students will develop a working knowledge of how to conduct sociometric warm ups and role reversals, the theory of Creativity-Spontaneity, role theory and role play. We will practice using action methods in clinical situations.