What is Psychodrama and Who is it For?

Psychodrama is the professional practice of action methods created by the late Dr. Jacob L. Moreno. Psychodrama is a time-tested, clinically-proven method for helping people to achieve personal goals through a process of structured, dramatic improvisation. Psychodrama uses enactment, sociometry, group dynamics, role theory, and social systems analysis to facilitate constructive change in individuals and groups through the development of new perceptions or reorganizations of old cognitive patterns. Psychodrama is not an exclusive process - no specialized training, education, or experience is needed in order to benefit from participating in Psychodrama.

PSYCHODRAMA IS FOR EVERYONE

During a Psychodrama, an individual may explore whatever basic issues or problems he or she wishes and, to that end, will receive the unqualified attention and support of the Psychodrama Director and the other participants in the Psychodrama Group. This individual is called the Protagonist. The Protagonist will co-decide the depth, duration, and extent of the exploration along with the Director, who is the final arbiter. The Protagonist is aided in the enactment of his/her drama by different Psychodrama Techniques put in place by the Director, and by the auxiliary roles played by the other group members.

Instead of talking about problems, the Protagonist is plunged into the midst of his/her emotional reality. It is in the here-and-now that the true power of Psychodrama resides. It is in the here-and-now that we are able to then 'change' some parts of our own realities.

New awareness of old situations or relationships, are encouraged to change existing behavior patterns. Another important aspect is that, because of the spontaneous real enactment, the group develops a life of its own. The intimacy and trust which develop in a Psychodrama Group provide a secure context within which further explorations of interpersonal feelings are possible, and there may be moments when one recognizes the resonance of one's own struggles, pains, and joys within the unfolding drama of someone else.