Abstract: O'Rourke, Patricia In this article, Patricia O'Rourke describes the way in which she applies psychodrama in her therapeutic reunification work with parents and babies in the child protection system in Australia. The paper was developed from a keynote address delivered to the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association (AANZPA) Conference in Brisbane in January 2019.
Abstract: Oliphant, David J.L. Moreno's theological thoughts are not always taken seriously, even by those devoted to other aspects of his work. Yet clearly, they were foundational for him on any reasonable reading of his life. Creation and history are God's stage for God's psychodrama and Moreno got to be part of this in a very big and direct way, or so he believed. He role reversed with God and understood this as part of the unfolding of God's subjectivity in history. Traditional theology thought of God as 'object'. Now it was clear through Moreno's experience that God was to be thought of as 'subject'. God now no longer needed religion because he had entered the secular world fully, as spontaneity and creativity. This article explores some of the implications of this shift and highlights the centrality of our 'responsibility' as co-creators with Moreno's God, which is the spontaneity-creativity of the universe.
Abstract: McVea, Charmaine Corrective experiences are a common factor in effective therapies, often having profound transformative effects. While Greenberg proposes that the activation and processing of emotions produces corrective experiences, Moreno emphasises spontaneity as the therapeutic agent or catalyst of change. Drawing on research, Charmaine McVea argues for the greater efficacy of spontaneity. She proposes that spontaneity not only constitutes an outcome of corrective experiences but also contributes to the emergence of those experiences, specifically through the development of action insight and corrective interpersonal experience during psychodrama enactments
Abstract: Clark, Cushla Moreno proposed the psychodrama stage as the first instrument of psychodrama. He designed it with four levels, the audience, the warm up step, the action space and the balcony, which mirror the stages of a protagonist's warming up process. Providing illustrations focused on the use of the warm up level or step and the balcony in parenting groups for women, Cushla Clark proposes that a psychodramatist who maintains consciousness of the structure of the Morenian stage, including improvising the different levels when physical constraints are present, is able to enhance a protagonist's warm up to spontaneity and produce a full and satisfying dramatic enactment. This article is drawn from Cushla's AANZPA thesis, Liberation via The Stage.
Abstract: Postlethwaite, Jenny Many practitioners working in organisations will find themselves facing the challenge of heavily conserved systems and cultures. What might be the effect of embracing a psychodramatic approach in such contexts' Through the lens of a long running mentoring programme in two Australian universities, this article identifies the experience for the participating academics as novel and impactful, providing them with a springboard to develop and integrate a new relational capacity into their rational world. The positive effect is felt and seen within individual mentoring relationships and beyond, sparking spontaneity capable of shifting the wider university paradigm.
Abstract: Logeman, Walter This article is concerned with the application of psychodrama principles and practices to couple therapy. In particular, it explores Moreno's philosophy of encounter, that meeting of two, 'face to face and eye to eye', which lies at the heart of psychodramatic couple therapy. Drawing on illustrative material, the author shows the way in which the psychodrama structure of warm up, action and sharing apply in a couple therapy session, with the encounter presenting as the action phase. He also describes the psychodramatic techniques of doubling, mirroring and role reversal as they are used to facilitate the encounter.
Abstract: Beran, Penny Review(s) of: The J.L. Moreno memorial photo, by Album (2014), Edited by Zoli Figusch, Published by the North West, Psychodrama Association, UK.
Abstract: Synnot, Elizabeth Review(s) of: Psychodrama third volume: Action therapy and principles of practice (2012 edition), by J.L Moreno and Zerka T. Moreno, Published by The North West Psychodrama, Association, UK.
Abstract: Browne, Rollo Review(s) of: The future of man's world (2013 edition), by J.L. Moreno, Published by The North-West Psychodrama Association, UK, in collaboration with the Zerka T. Moreno Foundation, USA
Abstract: Tapley, Kate Natural horsewoman and psychodrama trainee Kate Tapley draws our attention to the horse as an auxiliary for life. Through her work training riders in natural horsemanship from a psychodramatic perspective, she has noticed that horses, unerring sentients that they are, act as auxiliaries for human beings, mirroring their inner often unconscious experience with immediacy and authenticity, and following only those riders who prove themselves willing to enter their here and now world of beingness and presence, as 'true leaders'. This article presents the application of this approach during a natural horsemanship workshop and the positive outcomes in terms of leadership development, healing and wholeness.
Abstract: Hutt, Jenny This article explores our relationship with the history of where we live and why it matters. The development of a study group approach to this area of life is described and the relevance to us as citizens and practitioners is considered.
Abstract: Dewar, Josephine For some time I have been considering why being called a lady creates in me a desperate need to react aggressively. I was socialised into believing that there were two genders, man and woman, and that the male gender was more dominant and more important than the female gender. Social values and language were pivotal in formulating this construction. While I did not accept this formulation, intellectually I was drawn into the norm and socialised into being a woman. I am also a Lesbian and this socialisation has presented me with many negative roadblocks. Reflecting on my personal journey, I am now resisting the idea that language such as "lady" has any bearing on who I am.
Abstract: Beran, Penny "That wasn't very good sharing," said a group member after their own sharing at a psychodrama residential session about ten years ago. That statement stayed with me.
Abstract: Tierney, Brian Sacrifice - the process of making sacred through meaningful surrender- is the core topic of my doctoral research in psychology and psychodrama is at the heart of my research methodology. It was during psychodrama foundation training at the Corban Estate in Auckland, New Zealand with Max Clayton in 2010, that creative sacrifice and its relationship with spontaneity began to take root in me as a Muse that would power seven years of doctoral research and practice. I remember this event in my training vividly
Abstract: Gurnsey, Simon In this article, I will let you know how Gap Filler creates ways for people to interact with others and their city, using examples of some of the Gap Filler projects I have been involved with over the past few years. I will focus on identifying the creative sociometric interventions that build relationships. This article will be of interest to practitioners working in community development, resilience building, arts participation or other community engagements.
Abstract: Crane, Sara Tansy is a twelve-year-old Border Collie dog. When she is at home, she is a working dog and a pet, herding llamas and chickens and sometimes children, and playing with her son Mr. Brock, a Border Collie Huntaway crossbred. But Tansy has another important role. She comes with me, her pack leader, and companions me in the counselling and therapy work I do at the Urban Eden Psychotherapy Centre. In my first contact with prospective clients, I always let them know that Tansy will be there. When we go for long walks together in the hills, I often reflect out loud about my work with her. This particular kind of intimate soliloquy, that occurs when Tansy and I are outside together, is very precious and profound for me. This is our story...
Abstract: Reid, Selina Attuned companionship from others early in life builds the foundation for a person's acceptance of their self as worthy, lovable and belonging. This self-acceptance assists a person to relate positively to others and to the world as a whole (Broom, 2008; Cooke, 2009; Dayton, 2005; O'Rourke, 2005). Conversely, a person's self-acceptance may be restricted or absent as a result of the lack of attunement from early caregivers, or diminished by traumatic events, including childhood sexual trauma [CST]. If this occurs, the spontaneity of a psychodramatic double may assist a person to warm up to self-acceptance, enabling them to connect with already-developed abilities, and to develop new progressive functioning (Dayton, 2005).