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Traveling as Spontaneity Training: If you want to become a Psychodramatist, Travel the world!

By Scott Giacomucci, MSS, LSW, CTTS, CET III

Abstract

The experience of traveling has the power to provide us with rich experiential learning experiences and a deeper understanding of psychodrama theory. I offer this article as an personal discourse highlighting how traveling has offered me significant contributions in my evolution as a psychotherapist and pshychodramatist. Both JL and Zerka Moreno provide us with role modeling throughout their lives as travelers and world therapists. It is this author’s claim that through international travel one can exercise their capacity for spontaneity and creativity, learn to communicate non-verbally, and develop a trust for the universal presence of tele. Traveling provides us with a deeper awareness of ourselves and the world around us. Expanding our sociometry beyond our own social atoms, which is often limited in terms of diversity, allows us to experience the wisdom of Moreno’s teachings and come to an acknowledgement of both the humanness and godlikeness of all people. Read more

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The Sociodrama of Life or Death: Young Adults and Addiction Treatment

By Scott Giacomucci, MSS, LSW, CTTS, CET III

 

The continued opiate epidemic has severely impacted young people as drug overdoses have reached unprecedented levels. Young people, more than ever, have been seeking addiction treatment with mostly unfavorable outcomes. Adjusting our treatment approaches to the specific needs of young adults is necessary. Many treatment programs for young adults can be improved by incorporating engaging, experiential treatment groups into their models, including sociodrama and sociometry. This article emphasizes the effectiveness of sociometry in meeting the developmental needs of young adults in addition to recounting the Sociodrama of Life or Death, which manifested spontaneously in an inpatient group at Mirmont Treatment Center and has been enacted with many different groups since. The walk toward life in sobriety or toward death by addiction is a walk that many are facing each day. Using future projection and surplus reality, the sociodrama brings these two paths, side by side, into the room for the group to experience.

Keywords: Sociometry; sociodrama; addiction; young adults; adolescence; life; death; step-in circle; group psychotherapy. Read more

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Being in two places at once: renegotiating traumatic experience through the surplus reality of psychodrama

By Scott Giacomucci & Amy Stone

 

Abstract

This article continues the dialogue started by Skolnik 2018 about the synergistic union of social work and psychodrama group approaches. The theoretical and clinical alignment of psychodrama and sociometry with social work with groups will be described. A practice illustration from Mirmont Treatment Center will be presented and discussed to explore some of the dynamics of psychodrama and, in particular, the therapeutic value of surplus reality. Surplus reality is a creative tool used to provide a therapeutic corrective emotional experience. Integrating insights from neuroscience, this article advocates for psychodrama as a valuable modality for clinical social work- ers engaged in group work. Read more

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Experiential Addiction Treatment: Creating Positive Connection through Sociometry and Therapeutic Spiral Model Safety Structures

By Scott Giacomucci, MSS, LCSW, CTTS, CET III, TSI AL

Many argue that addiction is preceded by a sense of psychosocial dislocation, experiences of relational trauma, attachment ruptures, or neglect. The lived experience of drug addiction is incredibly isolat- ing and likely to disrupt relationships with one’s closest attachmentgures. Most agree that one’s social experiences-relationships, fam-ily, groups, and community-signi cantly impact the chances of recov- ery after addiction. Sociometry, the study of groups and interperson- al dynamics within groups, is uniquely effective in providing clients with corrective relational experiences in addiction treatment groups. This article outlines multiple experiential sociometry tools that hold the potential to cultivate safety, explore similarities between group members, establish group cohesion, and assess the group based on chosen criteria. These action-based sociometric processes, in addition to two safety structures from the Therapeutic Spiral Mod- el (TSM) of psychodrama, are outlined with facilitation guidelines and clinical vignettes depicting their utilization at Mirmont Treatment Center. These strength-based group structures can be adapted with different criteria, different populations, and used in any type of group setting.

Keywords: Addiction; Group therapy; Isolation; Sociometry; Thera- peutic spiral model; Trauma
Read more

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The Sage Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy (4th edition)

At over 600 pages and with more than 100 contributions, this Fourth Edition brings together the essentials of counselling and psychotherapy theory, research, skills and practice. Including new content on assessment, theory, applications and settings, and with new chapter overviews and summaries, this continues to be the most comprehensive and accessible guide to the field for trainees or experienced practitioners.

Baim, C. (2017). ‘Psychodrama,’ in Colin Feltham, Terry Hanley and Laura Ann Winter (Eds.) The Sage Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy (4th edition). Los Angeles, CA and London: Sage Publications.

This book is available on Amazon.

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TSM Six Safety Action Structures American Society for Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy

The TSM Six Safety Action Structures have been developed and used to concretize spontaneity and provide containment and group cohesion for all Therapeutic Spiral Model (TSM) groups for several decades now (Hudgins & Toscani, 2013).  The original paper on these safety structures (Cox, 2001) is available on my website at www.drkatehudgins.com.  This handout is an expansion on the original use of the structures with examples of how they can be used in individual, couples, group and family therapy, as well as in communities and organizations.  At the workshop, they are presented in action just as they would be used to start a TSM group in any of the above settings. Read more

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TSM Psychodrama for Personal Restoration, Renewal, & Cultural Connection

10 – 15 February, and 17 – 22 March, 2019

These retreats will each combine 30+ hours of personal growth, psychodrama sessions with diverse cultural adventures on the beautiful and mystical island of Bali in Indonesia. Included will be a trip to the famous Tanah Lot Temple, one of the ten most photographed sites in the world. Free time for exploration and relaxation is also included. Psychodrama hours may be used toward certification by the American Board of Examiners, the Korean Psychodrama Association, The North American Drama Therapy Association, and Therapeutic Spiral International. (Check with your local certifying board to see if they accept these hours as well.)

Costs:

  • The fee for all psychodrama sessions over six days, seven community meals (four dinners and 3 lunches), and all cultural events is US$550 per person inclusive.
  • A 50% deposit will hold your place and is due no later than 2 Jan for Feb. retreat and 4 Feb. for March retreat.
  • Balance due on first day of retreat. Those who pay in full by deposit date pay only $500 per person.
  • Transportation and accommodations are not included. Participants will receive suggestions for reasonably-priced accommodations within walking distance of the psychodrama venue.

Psychodrama Venue and Trainer:

TAKSU HEALING HAVEN – Ubud, Bali –   is a jungle paradise in the Heart of Ubud.  It features a World Class Spa & Salon, Restaurants, Yoga, and Workshop Spaces. Participants will receive a 15% discount on any additional food and beverage and on all Spa services. Visit www.taksuspa.com for a listing of services available. Visit www.taksuhealinghaven.com for a listing of the healing practitioners in residence and the services they offer.

MARIO COSSA, RDT/MT, TEP, and TSM Trainer – founder and Director of Motivational Arts Unlimited, Indonesia, will be your Psychodrama Director and guide for this experience. Mario brings decades of experience as a group facilitator and psychodrama director and has worked in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, and China. Please visit his website: www.dramario.net

To Indicate Your Interest:

Please e-mail mario@dramario.net with a brief statement of your interest and previous psychodrama and/or drama therapy experience, and preferred contact method. Your expression of interest does not commit you in any way. Additional information and registration details will be sent.

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Resources

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New Book From Vlada Zapesotsky – The Way Home: Discovering the Path to Your Truth, Nature, and Inner Treasures

Hello, my dear friends!
I am here to inform you about the release of my book The Way Home: Discovering the Path to your Truth, Nature and Inner Treasures.
This is a very exiting time for me and I am looking forward to share my book and the vision that’s behind it with the world. I really hope that this book reaches many different people because I believe in its healing energy, clear messages and a safe structure that can allow everyone to connect to his/her own Inner Home.

Synopsis: “The Way Home” opens with a heart-warming and creative fairy tale describing the journey of self-discovery that all humans yearn to undertake, yet are afraid to without a proper guide. In this book we learn how to “activate” our personal inner guides and personify these inner voices to serve us in our healing journey. The inner life (psyche) is described as a Home with multiple rooms to which we can return for new discoveries and self-care. It is as simple as: “you do not need to know how to get where you are going; you only need to make a choice…connect to [your] personal soul navigator who will lead [you] Home-to Your True self.”

You can find it on Amazon here.

If you are interested in reviewing the book, please let me know and I will send you a free electronic version.
Please, feel free to spread the word and share it with your community!!! Let’s make The Way Home approachable to as many people as we can!!!

Blessings!!!
Vlada Zapesotsky, MA, PAT, AL-TSI
Founder of International Foundation of Healing and Creativity “The Way Home-to your True Self”. Practitioner-trainer, author, speaker.

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