Moreno Psychodrama Society - Winter Gathering - Sunday 1st June 2008

A reminder to all that the Winter Gathering of our Society is this coming Sunday, 1st of June from 2 - 5 p.m.

Who are we? This Sunday we will present in action aspects of our work, training, perhaps a moment, a new step or a growing edge. Poems and songs welcome!

Afternoon Tea: 3.45 - 4.15 p.m (Please bring a plate)

Danielle Forer will present aspects of her recent journey to and work in Bangladesh (see her invitation further in this newsletter). Danielle collaborated with Herb Propper, Psychodramatist from Vermont, USA and co-led the National Therapeutic Theatre Workshop '08 with him. This event consisted of a series of trainings in psychodrama, sociometry and sociodrama, 14 - 25 March, under the auspices of the Bangladesh Therapeutic Theatre Institute (BTTI), which is a wing of Unite Theatre for Social Action (UTSA) in Chittagong.

RSVP to Sue, Gillian, Nikki or Patricia or telephone (03) 9416 3779

Theatre of Spontaneity - Friday 30 May 2008

Viva il ballo a tondo a tondo
Sonno un re, son un bascia
Il piu bel piacer del mondo
La piu cara volunta!

Dance around and round forever
I am a King, I am a Pasha
It is the most delightful pleasure in the world
The sweetest enjoyment!

(La Danza {Rossini:Pepoli}).

The Theatre of Spontaneity Presents…


The Dance of Life…..

Patricia Green with Rachael Zyznikow are leading this evening. Come and enjoy their magic. It will be a night of inspiration and intrigue.

Tickets at the door: $20.00 ($15.00 for members of the Moreno Psychodrama Society)

Venue: The Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, 155 Langridge St, Collingwood

Time: 7.30 -10.30 p.m

RSVP to PIM (03) 9416 3779

Graphics courtesy of Liliana Melone

From where does "Tele" come?

You are invited to attend the

2nd READING GROUP for 2008 at PIM

Topic: Does “Tele” arise from the Limbic System?

Discussant: Sue Daniel

Date & Time: Friday, 30 May from 12.45 – 1.45 p.m
155 Langridge St
Collingwood

Meeting at 12:30 p.m for a 12:45 p.m start, this is the second of a one-hour series of reading seminars for those interested in the theory, practice and philosophy of J. L. Moreno in relation to other writers.
In this second seminar Sue will focus on Moreno’s concept of "Tele" in relation to the Limbic system in the human brain. The reading material (see below) is compiled to assist us in our discussion. There is a donation of $10.00, which will be used to maintain and expand the PIM library. Bring your own lunch, freshly brewed coffee, teas and biscuits are supplied.

Copies of the above material is available for those attending the reading group. Call Sue on 9416 3779

References:
1. Foundations of Sociometry (pages 48 -54), and Extension of Tele Theory, Its Position within the Sociometric System (pages 325 – 328) in Who Shall Survive? by J. L. Moreno (1934)
2. The Bridge Between Worlds (pages 50 – 54) in A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini & Richard Lannon (2001)

2008 Reading Group Dates:
Fridays: 29 February, 30 May, 29 August and 24 October, 12.45 – 1.45 p.m.

From little things, big things grow

In March 2008 I travelled to Bangladesh to conduct Psychodrama training with Herb Propper from the USA. I will share some of the experiences from my trip at the next Moreno Psychodrama Society meeting on Sunday, 1st of June.

Herb began conducting workshops in Bangladesh 6 years ago and from a small group, there is now a strong network of people enthusiastic about Psychodrama in Bangladesh.

Their response to the 2007 cyclone which displaced 8 million people was amazing. Creating magic after devastation, the Bangladeshi Therapeutic Theatre Network have been using Psychodrama in incredibly inspiring ways and making a bid difference to their community.

I look forward to sharing the experience with you.

Danielle Forer

Spinning Straw into Gold

Psychodramatic Principles in the Field of Addiction

Director: Nikki Alderman

Saturday, 5 July from 10 am – 5.30 pm

This workshop is for any practitioner who works with individuals, families or groups affected by addiction. The application of psychodrama in this field works with a focus on the adequate roles people bring to the therapeutic space – the things that have worked but have gone unseen. The fairy story of Rumpelstiltskin provides inspiration as the young woman may not have known how to spin straw into gold herself but she knew someone who could. Often our most creative resources for change and personal development are those roles in ourselves barely noticed or taken for granted in the face of life’s bigger challenges like addiction.

Venue: Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, 155 Langridge Street, Collingwood
Fee: $135.00 (Deposit $50.00 due by Friday the 27th of June)
Enquiries: PIM (03) 9416 3779 or to Nikki on 0418 134 749

Members and Overseas News

Danielle Forer recently completed a series of workshops in Bangladesh, namely in Chittagong and Dhakar. She worked with Herb Propper who established the training programs in Bangladesh. This was Herb's sixth visit to Bangladesh since 2003. He has been conducting trainings in psychodrama, sociodrama and sociometry as part of the National Therapeutic Theatre Training Workshops. Danielle will present something about her time in Bangladesh at the Moreno Psychodrama Society Winter Meeting, on June 1, 2008 (2 - 5 p.m)

Sue Daniel conducted a pre-conference workshop on role theory at the April Conference of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP). Her session was "Our Ancestors Walk Beside Us". Sue was recently appointed to the Executive Council of the ASGPP by the President, John Rasberry. Sue is also working toward the Rome Congress in August 2009 as a member of the Scientific Program Committee. The Rome Congress is the Triennial Congress of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes (IAGP). Early Bird registrations can be easily made on-line from the website www.iagpcongress.org by May, 31. Submissions for sessions are now open.

Dora Oliver, Jenny Clifton and Jil Toovey have completed all the requirements toward their psychodrama director certifications and are now fully fledged, Psychodramatists. Congratulations Dora, Jenny and Jil.

Emily Lumbers is now living at Digger's Beach, Coffs Harbour while Helen Fryer and Joan Murray have moved to live in Hobart, Tasmania.

J. L. Moreno's House in Bad Voslau, Austria. He lived here from 1918 - 1925.

Boy or Girl! Additions to the PIM Library

New Projects and Papers:

75. Jenny Clifton - Stepping Out: Moving from the head of my wisdom into the body of my wisdom.

76. Jenny Clifton - Managing those 'oh-shit' moments: When thinking small is thinking big.

77. Sue Benham - Kissed by the Sun.

78. Dora Oliver - Script of Life

New (Old) Books

The Essential Moreno - Ed. Jonathon Fox

Jacob Levy Moreno 1889-1974: Father of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy - Rene F. Marineau

‘When the Direct Approach Won’t Do.’

… When it’s just too exposing for the protagonist in moments of acute anxiety. This half-day seminar experientially explores ways in a psychodrama group for the group leader and group members to progress through the fear with great presence and creativity. We will consider a range of possible approaches that are less confronting, build safety, and allow the group to be sensitive and responsive. Participants in this workshop may be workers and group facilitators (no prior psychodrama experience necessary), trainees in psychodrama or those interested in the method.

Date and Time: Friday 16 May, 2008 from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Venue: Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, 155 Langridge Street, Collingwood
Fee: $75.00

Workshop Presenter: Lethe Gaskin is a psychodramatist, trainer and supervisor, psychologist and psychotherapist. She works in both Australia and New Zealand.

Enquiries:

PIM: +61-3-94163779 or pim@netspace.net.au
Lethe: phone/text +64 212 954959 or letheg@bigpond.net.au

PIM and MPS Events in April, May and June

PIM Training Events:
(Ongoing Training Groups begin in Term 2 the week beginning 12 May 2008)

1. An Exploration of our inner lives through ‘Dreams and Psychodrama’, Saturday, 5 April from 10 – 5.30 p.m
Directors: Kath Kelly and Marie Watt

2. Psychodrama Groupwork for Trainers and Group Leaders, Saturday and Sunday 3rd & 4th May from 10 a.m – 5.30 p.m both days
Director: Sue Daniel

3. Alternative Approaches when ‘The Direct Approach’ won’t do, Part 1: Friday 16 May from 9.30 a.m – 12.30 p.m
Director: Lethe Gaskin

Other PIM Events:
4. Ongoing Case Study Group – began 7 March, continuing on April 4 (Nikki Alderman) and 2 May and June 6 (Sue Daniel) from 9.30 a.m – 12.30 p.m.

5. Psychodramatist’s Practitioner Group – Began Feb, 22, 14 March and continuing April 18, 23 May and June 20

6. 2nd Meeting of the Children’s and Adolescent’s Interest Group on Monday 21 April from 7 – 9 p.m hosted by Danielle Forer. For people using psychodrama, theory, action or role theory framework in their work with young people.

Reading Group at PIM:
Friday 30 May from 12.45 – 1.45 p.m ($10.00) Call Nikki on 0418 134 749

Personal Development Groups:

7. Personal Developments Groups with Sue Daniel (9416 3779):
Happiness and Health in Work and Life:

Monday Evenings, from 6 – 9 p.m, 5, 12, 19 & 26 May plus Sunday 25 May
Weekend Personal Development Group:
Saturday & Sunday, 21 & 22 June from 10 a.m – 5.30 p.m both days

8. Personal Development Groups with Dora Oliver (0418 824 794):
New Ways of Thinking and Being after Separation
6 Tuesday Mornings, 20 & 27 May, 3, 10, 17 & 24 June

Moreno Psychodrama Society:

9. Theatre of Spontaneity on Fridays, 18 April, 30 May & 27 June from 7.3 – 10.30 p.m
10. Winter Meeting of the Moreno Psychodrama Society on Sunday, 1 June from 2- 5 p.m at PIM. Trainees and Members all welcome.

All Enquiries 9416 3779 after 17 April, or before call Nikki Alderman on 0418 134 749


New Articles, Papers and Theses in the PIM Library

1. “We Are All Creative Geniuses” by Julia Lau

2. “Developing a Pair of Loving Eyes: Applying Sociometric and Psychodramatic Approaches with Lawyers” by Jil Toovey

3. “Significant people, Significant Relationships” by Bob Cumming

Jil Toovey and Julia Lau Celebrating Passing their Psychodrama Practicums

The International Association of Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes (IAGP)

Some History of the IAGP

By Sue Daniel
(With a lot of assistance from an article by Anne Schutzenberger (Archivist IAGP) in the International “FORUM” of Group Psychotherapy, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2002)

On the 18th of January 2008 our Moreno Psychodrama Society was accepted as a full Affiliate Organisation of the IAGP. What is the IAGP?

1950 – 1st international Congress of Psychiatry (Paris, October 1950) and especially during the 2nd International Congress of Criminology and its psychiatry section, Dr Jacob Levy Moreno put forward the idea to have an International Association of Group Psychotherapy. Moreno, the founding Father of Group Psychotherapy, who also coined that term in 1924, had already founded the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama in 1941. It was a natural extension for Moreno.
1951 - The First Committee on Group Psychotherapy and, according to Moreno, “The First Official Step” towards IAGP, was created in Paris in 1951.
1954 - An International Committee for Group Psychotherapy was formed at the 1st International Congress on Group Psychotherapy in Toronto in 1954.
1957 – The International Committee became the International Council of Group Psychotherapy during the Zurich, 2nd International Congress on Group Psychotherapy.
1963 – At the 3rd International Congress in Milan, someone suggested to Moreno to have the First International Congress of Psychodrama in Paris.
1964 – This Congress came about in Paris, in September 1964. It was organised by Anne Schutzenberger. There were 1,200 participants from 28 countries.
1968 - The 4th International Congress was held in Vienna.
1973 – The 5th Congress was held in Zurich.

IAGP – 1973
During the Zurich Congress, the IAGP was co-founded by Moreno, who became the Honorary President, and 12 others; A. Friedmann (Switzerland), Anne Schutzenberger (France), Raymond Battegay (Switzerland), Samuel Hadden (USA), Raoul Schindler (Austria), S. H. Foulkes (UK), Joshua Bierer (UK), Jay Fidler (USA), Zerka Moreno (USA), Grete Leutz (Germany), Ambros Uchtenhagen (Switzerland), Anne-Lise Heigel-Evers (Germany), incorporated according to the Swiss Civil Code by Raymond Battegay.
Dr Moreno died in 1974.

The next meetings:
The 6th congress was held in Philadelphia in August 1977, the Nice and Madrid Congresses prior to that having to be cancelled; 7th: Copenhagen, 1980; 8th: Mexico, 1984; 9th: Zagreb, 1986; 10th: Amsterdam, 1989 (my first Congress); 11th: Montreal, 1992; 12th: Buenos Aires, 1995; 13th: London, 1989; 14th: Jerusalem, 2000; 15th: Istanbul, 2003; 16th: Sao Paulo, 2006 and 17th: Rome, 2009.

When will we have our turn??? Do we want to host a Congress in Melbourne in 2018? In 2012 it goes somewhere else, maybe the USA, and in 2015 it most likely has to return to a country in Europe so that leaves 2018 - a long time you may think, but why not warm up to the idea now?
Let me know what your view is on this at:
(MorenoSociety@netspace.net.au)

The Psychodrama Section within the IAGP
In 1993, the IAGP started 2 sections, Psychodrama and Group Analysis. Grete Leutz (Germany) and David Kipper (USA) were the 1st co-chairs of the Psychodrama Section. Peter Felix Nathan Kellermann (Israel) and Jorge Burmeister (Switzerland) were the 2nd co-chairs, followed by Sue Daniel, (Australia) 3rd Chairperson, and Manuela Maciel, (Portugal) 4th and current Chairperson. Several other sections were formed in this time; Family Therapy, Organisational Consultation, System Centred Group Psychotherapy and a Transcultural Section.
Other Events
Apart from the 3 yearly IAGP Congresses, several other congresses and conferences are held in different world areas between the main Congresses. One of these is the Pacific Rim Regional Congress, (PRRC), the next one being held in Matsue, Japan, in October, 2008.

In June I will bring forward the journey of Moreno and the IAGP in action at the Theatre of Spontaneity, on Friday, 27 June 2008, from 7.30 – 10.30 p.m.