Steven Durost, PhD, LCMHC, REAT, TSI Trainer

My TSM Psychodrama story and my introduction to psychodrama are the same. I had learned about psychodrama while studying for my PhD in Expressive Therapies. Knowing that trauma is stored in the body and that body-based methods are necessary for full post-traumatic growth, I looked for opportunities to experience psychodrama fully. I found that Zerka Moreno was holding weekend workshops in her home and I signed up because how often does one get the chance to work with the founder of a method? Interestingly, the specific workshop was organized and co-led by Mario, a fellow resident of New Hampshire whom I had yet to meet.

Zerka directed my first vignette, a scene of rescue and healing that is still vivid to me these years later. From there, a group of the participants spent an additional three days working with Mario Cossa and Linda Ciotola. Linda directed my first full psychodrama. After that training, I attended other workshops with Linda and Cathy Nugent. And finally, many years later, I met Kate Hudgins. When she presented TSM Psychodrama, I did not see how it was different from what I had learned from Mario, Linda and Cathy. As it turns out, all my trainers had trained with Kate. It seems I had been psychodramatically raised in this method, a series of events for which I am thankful.

I have been with Kate, Mario and Karen in different places around the world and I have seen how TSM Psychodrama creates a holding space where people’s ability to heal from the inside ignites, growth happens, people connect and lives are changed. It is a great honor to be among such wonderful people who are continuing to grow TSM Psychodrama.

Here is a little more about me but really the important stuff has already been said.

Steven Durost, PhD, LCMHC, REAT is the Executive Director & Owner of C.R.E.A.T.E! Center for Expressive Arts, Therapy and Education in Manchester, N.H., U.S.A, which employs 25+ counselors and arts-based therapists. C.R.E.A.T.E! is the recipient of the 2010 New Hampshire National Alliance for Mental Illness Award for Systems Change. Steven has been awarded the Heroes of Justice Award by the YWCA Crisis Services for his work with the Male Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Group and for being a first responder for human trafficking. Steven is one of the first dozen people in the world to earn a Doctorate in Expressive Art Therapy through Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. and is also adjunct faculty at Lesley University. In learning about trauma work, Steven conducted research, taught courses and created groups in South Africa, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Steven is a Registered Art Therapist with the International Expressive Art Therapy Association and he is the recipient of the 2014 ASGPP’s Zerka T. Moreno Award for outstanding achievement in psychodrama. Steven has co-presented and presented TSM Psychodrama workshops around the world in China, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, India, and the United States.

Steven is also an invited kite-flyer to international kite festivals where he flies SeaMore, his 120 foot purple squid kite, to everyone’s delight.