SOCIODRAMA in the Theatre of Spontaneity '08

The Moreno Psychodrama Society presents the first Theatre of Spontaneity for 2008. Using sociodrama, psychodrama and a host of creative applications of the method, these monthly events provide an opportunity for people to meet and connect with other likeminded people interested in exploring world, environment, community or cultural events, relationships and values. Sue Daniel and Peter Kellermann are co-leading a Sociodrama session in January. We invite you to come along and see what can be explored using this creative method.

Sue Daniel is the Director of the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne. She is a psychodramatist, trainer, educator and practitioner, psychologist and psychotherapist who lives and works in Melbourne and travels in many countries teaching and practicing the psychodrama method. She is the author of Psychodrama, Role Theory and the Cultural Atom, a chapter in “Psychodrama: Advances in Theory and Practice (2007) as well as of numerous articles in the field of psychodrama, sociometry, sociodrama, role theory and related issues.

Peter Felix Kellermann was born in Stockholm, Sweden, but lives in Jerusalem, Israel with his family since 1980. He is a clinical psychologist and an international trainer of psychodrama and sociodrama. He was the chief clinical psychologist of AMCHA – a treatment center for Holocaust survivors and their families in Israel between 1996-2000 and its executive director between 2001-2004. He is the author of Let’s Face It: Mirroring in Psychodrama, a chapter in “Psychodrama: Advances in Theory and Practice (2007), “Focus on Psychodrama” (1992) and a co-editor of “Psychodrama with Trauma Survivors” (2000).

Date: Friday, 25th of January 2008 from 7.30 - 10.30 p.m
RSVP: (03) 9416 3779 after 16/1/08
Fee: $20.00/$15.00 MPS Members (payable at the door)
Venue: Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, 155 Langridge St, Collingwood

The Class of 2001 Celebrates

The Writers' Pool

It started off with a trickle in 2001, when PIM began, but now the PIM library with its 70 plus articles and theses and projects has developed into a substantial resource. PIM trainees, practitioners and trainers and MPS members may and do, dip into this well, finding what they need; knowledge, creative ideas and the stories of their colleagues - stories filled with rich imagery - truly psychodramatic writing, illustrating the many and varied applications of psychodrama, sociometry, sociodrama and role theory in their life and work. These creative expressions are touching, thought provoking, they show how psychodrama can be applied, in action or through use of the role theory framework - in many fields and cultures, in groups, in the one to one milieu. They show above all, the significance of relationship - with self, with other and with the world - being and doing - connection not isolation. In addition there are many other articles and books in the library written by psychodramatists in other cultures. These may be dipped into as well. We aren't working and living alone, we have friendly colleagues who are also writing and expressing their ideas, thousands of them. Such is the network of psychodramatists in the world, such is the proliferation of psychodrama since Jacob Levy Moreno brought it into the world, first in Vienna, expanding it in America with Zerka and many others, and then taking it further afield. Thank you writers all, we are all enriched.

The latest writings in the library include:

Bronwyn McNaughton - newly a psychodramatist, 29 November 2007; 3 articles -

'I Just Want To Be Like You: The use of psychodrama with a person with an Intellectual Disability', 'Working Psychodramatically with Young Women at Risk – Conference Presentation Paper and DVD', and, ' The Holy Spirit is my Double'.

Danielle Forer - 'Group Work with Refugees Utilising Psychodrama: Rebuilding hope, facilitating recovery'.

Tam Dinh - 'Steps Toward an Encounter: Learning to Get On Board with the Other'.

Kath Kelly - 'Psychodrama at the Grove Wholistic Spirituality Centre for Women: The Living Crucible of Acceptance'.

Dianne Kearney - 'The Lady of the Dance'.

Sue Daniel - Psychodrama, role theory and the cultural atom: new developments in role theory in "Psychodrama - Advances in Theory and Practice", Eds. Clark Baim, Jorge Burmeister & Manuela Maciel, Routledge, UK 2007

Take a Chance

Reaching out is often hard, when
The road is long and lonely, but
Take a chance to see.

Yet, if I reach out
And risk the touch,
Feelings can grow, just
Take a chance to feel.

In unexpected places, and
At unexpected times, I
Take a chance to flow.

Life is too short
To waste on fanning fears, so
Take a chance to love and
Take a chance to know.

Phil Smalley
PIM Training and Review Night
30th November 2007

A World Without Mirrors

To the contributors to our blog, with love and appreciation.

Suppose one day,
Zeus decided to free Narcissus
from vain obsession with his own beauty
and thereby removed all the mirrors from the world.
What would become of us?

A big silent black hole!
The first thing to go
Is the songs of birds
On and on they chirp,
On and on they sing,
Unreceived, unheard: vain sounds.
Then we will realize,
We have lost our sense of hearing.

A dark black hole!
The second thing to go
Is the beauty of trees and plants
On and on they grow,
On and on they bloom,
Unnoticed, unseen: vain visibility.
Then we will realize,
We have lost our sense of vision.

An indifferent black hole!
The last thing to go
Is the meaning of human existence
On and on they create,
On and on they build,
Unappreciated, unacknowledged: vain creativity
Then we will have lost our inner mirrors
We have gone past our last realization.
We have become indifferent.

In a world without mirrors
We would be absorbed into nothingness
But we would no longer care
Because we no longer mattered.

In a world without mirrors
Matters become non-matters.
Surely, a sign of the end of the world.

Tam Dinh
29.09.2007

A Book is Born…Out of Relationships

A couple years ago, during a training session, after having explained to my colleagues how I identify and name roles in psychodrama, one colleague suggested that I write a paper about it. Afterwards, I reflected on her suggestion a lot and came to the conclusion that she was ‘write’!, that was what I needed to do. Although, that paper is still evolving, what I have come to realize deeply since then is that paper was born out of my relationships with my colleagues. And so it was with the theme that I picked up from the launch of Psychodrama – Advances in Theory and Practice this evening.

The launch took place in the bookshop at Melbourne University. When Danielle Forer and I arrived at the bookshop, located in the Bailieu Library Building, a stone’s throw from the entrance to the library. It was just after 6.30pm and the sign at the front said it was closed for a private function. However, we knew the function was our function as we could see familiar faces standing not far from the glass doors. There were over a dozen of familiar psychodrama colleagues enjoying each other’s company and their pre-launch drinks and food. The spirit of the place was pleasant and light.

Neil Hucker, Sue’s psychodrama colleague of 30 years, introduced her and reminisced about his first contact with psychodrama nearly 35 years ago and how their passion for psychodrama brought them into contact with each other. I found it remarkable that their passion for psychodrama remains strong and fresh after all these years.


Sue looked strikingly soft as if she was a gentlest feeling. She started off by describing how the idea of the launch came about. It was born out of her relationships with Margaret Cunningham and Sue Benham both of whom rightly suggested a proper celebration for her contribution to the book. Among other things (which I did not register as I was busily deleting some photos from my camera’s full memory card to take photos of the occasion), Sue talked about her development of a new category of ‘freezing’ to expand the existing three – going away, going toward, and going against – in the description of coping or survival roles which is written about in her chapter. Sue also talked about how her involvement with the book came about. Again, it was in her relationships with the editors of the book with whom she have known and worked with for many years and the other authors. Ah, and she let everyone in on a secret that another book is underway!

Then in true psychodrama style, Neil got Margaret Shanahan to be the champagne that got popped, spreading across the stage toward Sue who was holding the book.

And so the book was launched and as Sue said, ‘It came from the world…it is now out in the world’. When I left the bookshop, I immediately opened and browsed through the book. As I walked through the trees on campus, something gently fell on my head and then landed on the open pages of the book. It was a tiny but beautiful young twig, half orange half red. The colours were striking and fresh. Then it suddenly dawned on me: ‘Oh yes, of course! The book has gone out into the world, and here is something from the world going into the book’. I studied the twig, fully intrigued, and decided that the twig would stay there between the pages.

22 November 2007
Tam Dinh
Psychodramatist in the world

Images from the Book Launch

Book Launch (Click on the image to enlarge)

Waikanae Beach Movie

Waikanae News Flash - 1

Well we have finished two bottles of Moet, had dinner at Mussel Boys and Sue, Ted, Lethe and I have decided to write some things for the blog. Outside there is an awesome display of fireworks happening. Have made a decision we will go and buy some of these fireworks tomorrow and have our own display Monday night!

Katrina

Fresh winds and turkeys

Hi Folks! Sue and Ted are at our kaainga here in Waikanae!!! Now we have seven people living in our house. No wonder there are fireworks going off in the heavens - literally actually, since its the old-fashioned Guy Fawkes celebration here. I'm nourished. I like how Sue says 'see those hedges' and I go 'oh yeah, those are hedges that I've been walking past all year but haven't seen'. Fresh eyes to see. Mirrors to us our beautiful home of mountains and sea and peace and hedges. Fresh breath, fresh heart, news from home, time to rest together, to play, to korero and share breath. I like how Ted just comes out with the description of the old turkey that I've looked at oddly all year; "he looks like a scrotum"!!!! (He does too!!!)

Here's a waiata (song)

Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kiamakinakina te uta
Kiamataratara te tai
E hi ake ana te atakura
he tio, he huka, he hauhunga.
Tihei Mauriora!

Cease the winds from the west
Cease the winds from the south
Let the breezes blow over the land
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air,
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.

Kia ora tatou e whanau! Neat to feel you all with the presence of the birds who've flown in from Melbourne, warm greetings and love, from Lethe

Stars and Sea

We arrived just after midnight in Wellington. Two sleepy koalas were there to meet us -Lethe and Katrina. After some warm long hugs, we all piled into the car for the hour drive north to Waikanae, through Paekakariki and Paraparaumu, a quiet road at 1.30 in the morning. Finally at 2 a.m we pulled up in the drive of the Gaskin family home. Getting out of the car, I first saw the blackest sky filled with stars and then I heard the sound of the sea. What a moment! My soul is filled.

Sue

It's all in how you look at it......

There's the "Church of the Three Sticks" so called because of the tall skinny black, white and red crosses in the front lawn of the house down the road here in Waikanae - the guy who's done this has a bus parked there with words of heavenly exultation emblazoned across its sides. If you don't like what's on offer, go ahead and create your own church!
Then there's Flag Boy, further on up the road here, where the master of the house trots out a new flag every day and hoists it atop his hefty flagpole - a new one every day; one day he even flew the flag of the land of "Smiley Face" atop the pole! If you don't like living in the same place every day, what a great idea-just change the flag. Now I'm Brazillian and tomorrow who knows? Maybe I'll be Polish......
And then there's "Driftwood Castle" down the road from Lethe and Katie's. This guy has dragged driftwood that's been tossed from the ocean, dragged it all to his house and planted it like ragged teeth along the perimeter of his home. Some the shape of snakes, petrified and rammed into the soil, twisted and gnarled. Here and there are driftwood placards with mysterious phrases burnt and scratched on them. Maybe it's comforting - being protected by this weird wooden wall.

All this plus the warmth and laughter of the House of Gaskin - these ordinary points along the road made magical by the laughter of us all in the car as we drive past.

Ted

A Beautiful Night of Poetry in Motion

The Theatre of Spontaneity, which was held on Friday 26th of October was a beautiful, imaginative evening filled with surprise, love and some mighty fine directing by Phil Smalley. Phil's own poem penned spontaneously as a final stanza to our poetry and stories tells it all.


Psych-Ode-Drama as “Poetry in Motion”

The bubbling dance of
Young and old souls,
Greeting with feeling.

Fog flows away,
As I sigh in sadness
And yet in hope.

Blessed are
The brave adventurers
Who step into Freedom

Phil Smalley

Theatre of Spontaneity
Friday 26th October 2007

A Birthday in New Zealand

Katrina and Lethe Gaskin (on the left, above) with their brothers and sister, celebrated their Mother's 80th Birthday recently. Kia ora e hoa ataahua.

Moreno Psychodrama Society Christmas Party

We warmly invite you to the Summer Gathering and Christmas Celebration BBQ

at:

104 Simpson Street
East Melbourne

Sunday, 2nd of December at 12.30 p.m to 3.30 p.m

BYO drinks and a salad or sweet to share, meat provided.

Come in full voice as there will be some rollicking renditions of Old Christmas Carol favourites.

RSVP MorenoSociety@netspace.net.au

or call/text: Nikki 0418 134 749, Patricia 0413 016 694, Gillian 9521 9850 or Sue 0417 586 791

Theatre of Spontaneity

Words have beauty and power

They can express feeling

And inspire

Action

Come to an evening in which we will play with words, see how they combine to convey meaning, create wonder, touch our innermost selves

Through our dance with words, poems in voice and action
will emerge in an interplay of inspiration and insight

Where? 155 Langridge Street
Collingwood

With? Phil Smalley (psych-ode-dramatist)

When? Friday 26th October
7.15 for 7.30
$20 ($15 for MPS members)

Applications of Psychodrama in Couple Counselling

12 October from 9:30 a.m –12:30 p.m


Director: Sue Daniel

These experiential morning seminars present a framework using role theory, sociometry and psychodrama in the one-to-one milieu. The methods are used to evaluate progress in therapy, to make interventions and to bring about creative self-learning. There will be opportunity to bring forward aspects of actual situations and practice the methods.

Fee: $70.00 per session.
Venue: Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, 155 Langridge St, Collingwood

TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE CALL 94163779

A Lovely Evening with Tabitha

Judith and Tabitha at Tabitha's art exhibition.

Book Review

The old (conserved) saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover" does not apply to "Psychodrama, Group Processes and Dreams" by Wilma Scategni.
This is a beautifully written book. It flows capturing my imagination with its rich imagery. Wilma Scategni writes in depth about Jacob Levy Moreno's (J.L) concept of time, space and reality in a fresh way. The book is liberally sprinkled with Carl Jung's concepts of archetypes. Wilma places these amongst a backdrop of philosophical thoughts, psychological constructs, bringing in a range of writers and philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle, Eliade, Hillman and Neumann.
Whilst the book is full of the stories of many protagonists it is short on applications of psychodrama within the group. Rather the author focuses on making an analysis of the material in the psychodramas using archetypal terms and language. It's an interesting perspective bringing this reader to greater thought on the spiritual dimension of psychodrama. Wilma succeeds well in bringing forth the unspoken through this perspective.
I liked the book. Its cover is sensational, bright orange hands on a blue background, shiney - it draws me in - fresh cover, fresh writing!
Psychodrama, Group Processes and Dreams will suit Jungian practitioners, Psychodramatists and all of those adventurers who love to journey.

Sue Daniel

Psychodrama, Sociometry and Role Training Weekend Intensive

Saturday and Sunday, 6th & 7th October from 10 a.m - 5.30 p.m both days

Director: Sue Daniel

This two-day workshop aims to give participants a greater ability to practice these methods in their field of work and gain further knowledge and experience about systems, groupwork, relationships and leadership. The emphasis is on experiential learning with a theoretical input. Role training, psychodrama and sociometry are extremely useful methods for conflict resolution. They contribute to the clear expression of feelings in a safe way when facing previously unknown situations and to building mutual role relationships. The workshop is for psychodrama trainees and people who are working in health and education fields, organisations and communities.

Fee: $280.00 (Applications with a deposit of $50.00 or full payment, due by 24 Sept.)
Enquiries to Sue (03) 9416 3779

Reading Group - with Marie Watt

I AM!

"There is only one essential testimony that matters - I know that I am! Anyone who can truthfully speak their own ease of being with surety, as a single and essential knowing, says enough."

"The Existential Jesus", J. Carroll P. 231

How amazed and excited I was to find this truth echoed in my reading of Moreno's "Theatre of Spontaneity", in which he introduces the person of Jesus as God's first act of creation and the re-creation of each human being as the second. Psychodrama is a growing into this personal I AM, a recognition, too, that WE ARE, a process in which we become "God's doubles."

"Theatre of Spontaneity" J. L. Moreno p. 96

Venue: PIM, 155 Langridge St, Collingwood
Fee: $10.00 toward maintenance of the PIM library
Date and Time: Friday, November 2nd, from 12.45 am - 1.45 p.m

Bring your lunch, tea and freshly brewed coffee and biscuits provided.
RSVP - 9416 3779

Tabitha's Exhibition

You are invited to the opening of Tabitha's exhibition

"Works on Paper"

6:00 pm to 7.30 pm - Monday October 1st
at
"Libart"
Northcote Library,
Separation St, Northcote

Theatre of Spontaneity - Friday 28 September 2007

AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHARACTER
Directed by Kath Kelly

What is it like to be other than our selves?
What happens when we step into the characters of the books on our shelves?
Who do we admire and what would being them be like?
Or who is it that we don't know, but sense we do in our psyche?

Bringing along some props ie. hats, monocles, walking sticks, wigs and scarves,
For at the Theatre of Spontaneity we don't do things by halves.
Be prepared to leave who you know yourself to be in the world at the door,
And to share the props you bring by placing them with everyone else's in a pile on the floor.

Come along and be another for an hour or two,
And let's see who joins us to meet the character that emerges through you.
There is fun to be had and most definitely new people to meet,
So make sure you're there otherwise you won't know who to greet!

Venue: Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne
Cost: $20.00 ($15.00 for MPS members)
Date and Time: Friday, 28 September 2007, 7.30 - 10.30 p.m.

Steps Toward an Encounter

Steps Toward an Encounter: Learning to Get On Board with the Other is the title of Psychodramatist, Tam Dinh's major project, now in the PIM library.

Tam, who is a psychologist and psychodramatist has a private practice in Springvale called "Psychological Healing Practice". His card reads, "Calming the mind" and"Lightening the heart". He is about to conduct a series of groups, one in Vietnamese and the other in English for people who want to focus on living well on a daily basis.

For enquiries, email Tam at ttamdinh@yahoo.com

Guide me home

If I should wander far from the field,
Where winds blow soft upon the grass,
Who will guide me home?

Have I lost all I believed would come in dreams of love?
And have those streams of Spring’s feelings
Passed from possibility?

Colours of song yet stir in the breast of life,
For I am come to the wall of silent sighing,
Like a child of the ancient tribe.

And you of the many voices, calling the chosen,
Have yet to give me a name remembered
In the valley of golden flowers.

Some still stand high on the mountain,
Amidst breezes of seasons of time,
Their voices floating o’er lonely roads.

‘Tis here that the graceful deer grazes,
Oblivious to the clouds of meaning
Hiding Winter’s sun from the forlorn.

Do you know me, a traveller of roads beyond,
A companion of solitude’s table and chair,
Breaking the bread of yearning?

Yet, still I believe that love’s healing hand
May someday touch my heart
And guide me home.

Phil Smalley
29th August 2007

Group work with refugees utilising Psychodrama: Rebuilding hope, facilitating recovery.

Danielle Forer, seen here with Tam Dinh, became a fully accredited Psychodramatist this August. Her major project, "Group work with refugees utilising Psychodrama: Rebuilding hope, facilitating recovery" is now in the PIM library.
Congratulations Danielle!
We wish you all the best in your work with the children, adolescents and families whose Nationalities include Sudanese, Congolese, Liberian, Burrundi, Burmese, Chin, Karen, Afghan and Iraqi.

Minutes of the Moreno Psychodrama Society

SPRING GATHERING – 26 August 2007
2.00 – 5.00pm (Including mid way adjournment for cake eating!)


With warmer weather and Spring in the air
A breezy atmosphere and daffodils everywhere (thanks Gillian)
We gather at PIM – although that’s not rare
To everyone’s delight the following people were there…

IN ATTENDANCE:
Lethe Gaskin, Gillian Blackwell, Phil Smalley, Ted Bugarski, Sue Daniel, Dianne Kearney, Kath Kelly, Helen Fryer, Patricia Green, Cheryl Rippingale, Tabitha, John Barton and Marie Watt.

Danielle Forer arrived with another cake a little later too,
We already had so much food we didn’t know to do,
So we boiled the urn again and had another brew
And wash down some more… wouldn’t you!

APOLOGIES:
Margaret Shanahan, Katrina Gaskin, Nikki Alderman, Lorraine Michael.

WELCOME FRIENDSHIPS/CELEBRATIONS:
Lethe sported a lovely “overlay” skirt
Ted flashed his stripy coloured socks, we were all alert
So we compared each others “under shoe wear”
As Sue warmed us all up as she does with attentive care…

Kiwi connections were made between John and Lethe
Poets Phil and Kath were named with no apparent disbelief!
Dianne was acknowledged as psychodrama assistant and welcomed back
And congratulations were extended to Kath for completing her prac.

REPORTS:

Treasury Report
Patricia very ably presented the Treasury Report
We were hearted to know the balance sheet was more than naught
With revenue being raised from a median range of 50 –70 annual membership fees
And the successful monthly Friday night Theatre of Spon-tan-eities.

With a healthy budget the discussion turned to what more we could do
It was decided that IAGP* group membership was something we would pursue.
Sue has already primed the International body that MPS should get a discount
She’s argued that we’re on a par with Angola and should pay the same amount.
(* International Association of Group Psychotherapy)
IAGP membership benefits were subsequently described
These include being on an email news group, and belonging to a larger tribe (d)
MPS membership benefits were also discussed
Helen has large copies of the Charter, at $5 a pop ownership is a must!

Other Reports
Other reports were provided although in no particular order
We kept to tight meeting procedures... Well, sort-a

Helen reported that Writers Group have been meeting rather reg-ul-ar-ly
They have been producing great work but not necessarily for others to see.

The Central Pod was named as consisting of Patricia, Nikki, Gillian and Sue
With Lethe and Katrina being off shore having just as much to do.

Sue said that whilst there are no other formal pods currently in existence
Anyone can form anytime as the urge presents - with little persistence.

Kath mentioned that an Inner city worker’s group meets on a Friday afternoon, occasionally.
Simulating conversations are had over drinks that are stronger than a cup of tea!

OTHER BUSINESS:

Practice Certificates
The concept of “Practice Certificates” as a joint venture for ABP* and MPS was presented.
Issuing yearly certificates for current PIM Psychodramatist entitlement was not lamented.
In fact the suggestion was received enthusiastically with MPS membership covering the cost.
“If someone fell in a hole, we would have to look at them” was the solution for anyone lost!
(* Australian Board of Psychodrama - Members: Nikki and Sue D.)

Journal of Psychodrama Writing
Discussion ensued about the idea of a non-academic Moreno Psychodrama Society Journal.
We talked of whether it should be on the blog, a hard copy for sale or something internal.
There was mention of existing student articles at PIM that would be great for publication.
Establishing a purpose (eg exciting the readers, a forum for writing) provided clearer indication.

Phil expressed concern that for him papers take about 7 months be born.
Whilst our gestation periods may vary, we agreed an article birth was not something to scorn.
We vaguely talked of subscription costs and whether it should be an annual or bi-annual edition
Sue said that when she’s on a run she could push out a few - now there’s an admission!

Theatre of Spontaneity
The next Theatre of Spontaneity, or to use the acronym TOS,
Will be this Friday 31st August and Lethe is to be the facilitator or boss
They are held on the last Friday of each month if you are apt to forget,
Except for November when it will be on Friday Dec 7th if the dates aren’t in your diary yet.

Phil will be running the TOS on the 26th of October.
If you are coming you had better make sure you are sober
The theme is “PSYCH-ODE-DRAMA” or Poetry in Motion
If you are still reading these minutes, I’m sure you’ll get the notion!!

The Lunch Time Reading Groups have been going well too that is for sure
If you’re coming along don’t forget your $10 cover change before you go out the door
This small fee covers costs for the discussant, goes toward library resources and pays for coffee
Gathering at 12.30, starting at 12.45 and ending at 1.45 promptly is great, don’t you agree?


Summer School
The Central Pod’s suggestion of a Summer School in Jan or Feb 2009 was warmly embraced.
Patricia spoke of booking the Footscray Arts Centre and our creative minds raced.
Imagine; activities for children and using the amphitheater for Living Newspaper themes.
The gallery space and performance area with things happening and the public enacting scenes!
The Giving Life Choir out of recess…… the ideas go on it seems.
Phone Patricia on 0413 016 694 if you have further dreams.

Other Events of Interest to Note
a) Book Launch –
There’s a new book on “Psychodrama: “Advances in Theory and Practice” now released.
Sue Daniel has a Chapter in it worth reading ... so when you buy it don’t get it creased!
The event is mooted for 7pm Thursday 22 November.
It’s at Reading’s bookstore in Lygon Street Carlton so be sure to remember!

b) Art Exhibition -
Tabitha warmed us all beautifully to her art exhibition opening that is coming up soon.
When prompted she spoke of “stuff on paper” that has emerged from her art room.
The theme is loosely around people and where they live, well she said that’s what’s been mounted.
That and a psychodramatic relationship with ancestors, and cats in windows waiting to be counted.
So get along to Northcote Library on Monday 1 October from 6 – 7.30pm to provide support
Or come anytime between then and the end of the month, for there is great art to be bought!

c) IAGP Conference -
The IAGP conference to be held from 22 – 28 August 2009 in Rome, Italy is certainly a goer!
Quite a few MPS members are keen and a group flight booking is in order, so get on the blower.
More detail about the event is at www.iagp2009.coirag.org - that is the web site.
I’ve just checked and yes, Sue did get the address right!
If interested in other international conferences John Barton has details he is happy to pass on
So for the Baltic experience in English or the United States one in American, contact John.

d) Play Therapy Conference -
For information about this conference to be held in Brisbane in August 2008,
Contact Dianne for more details as it sounds as if it will be great.

Christmas Party
Discussion around this item did not take long,
We were into our cake eating so we couldn’t get it wrong.
The details are below under the “Next Gathering” heading,
No need to bring gifts or dress up too much. It’s a Christmas party not a wedding!

Moreno Psychodrama Society Meeting Structure
Toward the end of our time together we reflected on these gatherings - a kind of review
The short minute note is to record that we resolved to do more of the same of what we currently do.
We agreed that four times a year for these meetings is perfect, following the cycle of the seasons.
There’s a good balance of flexibility, freedom and formality so to change would be without reasons.
Lethe mentioned that PIM was like home and it needs nurturing, which was important to be spoken.
We affirmed to keep going, building on what is resolving not to fix what’s not broken.

Next Gathering
Sunday 2 December for a Bar-B-Q to be followed by Carols. Now that should be fun!
Stay tuned; watch out for emails and fliers for there is more information to come.

Spring is in the Air at the Moreno Psychodrama Society

With warmer weather and Spring in the air
A breezy atmosphere and daffodils everywhere (thanks Gillian)
We gather at PIM – although that’s not rare
To everyone’s delight the following people were there…

Danielle Forer arrived with another cake a little later too,
We already had so much food we didn’t know to do,
So we boiled the urn again and had another brew
And wash down some more… wouldn’t you!

Lethe sported a lovely “overlay” skirt
Ted flashed his stripy coloured socks, we were all alert
So we compared each others “under shoe wear”
As Sue warmed us all up as she does with attentive care…

Kiwi connections were made between John and Lethe
Poets Phil and Kath were named with no apparent disbelief!
Dianne was acknowledged as psychodrama assistant and welcomed back
And congratulations were extended to Kath for completing her prac.

(The above is an excerpt of the poetic minutes courtesy of K. Kelly)
Sunday 26 August 2007

Therapeutic Work with Younger Children

Dianne Kearney is conducting her practice one day a week at PIM, joining a small group who work from the group and counselling rooms. Di uses a variety of approaches with children to engage with them at their level and by following their lead helps them to play creatively and process what troubles them while ensuring they are safe. She uses psychodrama, art therapy, non-directive play therapy and story telling. These methods enable the child to build confidence and trust in the play environment, to enter with spontaneity into their own psychodramatic world and to begin to heal their social and cultural atom.

Di Kearney is a social worker, psychodrama-assistant, children's counsellor and is currently studying a graduate diploma in child psychotherapy. She holds qualifications in and has worked as a speech pathologist and an art therapist. For the past three years she has been working with children and families in Alice Springs.

A Meeting of Old and New Friends!

Moreno Psychodrama Society Spring Gathering

Sunday 26 August, 2007
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

Tea, Brewed coffee, and Afternoon Tea, Bring a piece of your favourite cake to share

rsvp
Lethe on 9584 5672 or 0432 392 172

Ancient Sources and Modern Applications

The Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne presents the 3rd in a series of 4 Reading Groups upstairs in PIM, 155 Langridge Street on Friday, 31 August at 12.45 p.m.

Lethe Gaskin will lead a discussion on the chapter:

Ancient Sources and Modern Applications: The Creative Arts in Psychodrama

From: "Acting Your Inner Music" - Joseph Moreno, MMB Music, USA, 1999

Call Lethe for a copy of the article or obtain one from PIM
RSVP 0432 393 172

Donation: $10.00 (Goes toward maintaining the PIM library
Bring your lunch. Freshly brewed coffee and a selcetion of teas is provided.
Time: 12.30 for a 12.45 start, concluding at 1.45 p.m

Kath Kelly's Practicum - 12 August 2007 - Photographs

The Table with Silk Tie Dye from The Grove and Roses from Marie Watt

Good Friends and Psychodrama Colleagues; Danielle Forer and Tam Dinh

Keran Howe, Kath Kelly & Jenny Clifton

A SIP FROM THE CUP OF ACCEPTANCE

I close my eyes to savour the sensation
And fully experience the elixir within.
It is sweet, it is rich, warm and refreshing,
It washes away doubt, resistance and sin.

I breathe in deeply and out with a sigh,
I am aware of the life force in me.
I relax my body, still myself, open my eyes
And only then do I begin to truly see.

I notice you before me, you have always been there
But I suddenly see you anew.
You have been with me, loving me deeply and dearly,
Patiently waiting for me to see myself as you do….

A gem decorating the cup from which we all drink
A star in the constellation of friends.
A lover of life that embraces it fully
The good, bad and ugly so as to make amends.

The dancer, the singer, the creative artistic self
The actor on stage who forgets their lines.
The rebel, the shouter, the lion like roarer,
The child adventurer, the clever mechanic, the furious killer at times.

The mother, the father, the gardener, the photographer
The well developed and progressive roles in us all.
The soulful searcher, the firm ground stander,
Merlyn the magician and Cinderella at the ball.

It has been your body beside me when I’ve been down
And your hand that has been extended to help me up.
Your arms that have held me in a firm embrace
And your lips with mine on the edge of the cup.

You have been down alleys and dark pathways
And have stood in the rain with me facing my childhood fears.
You have angered me and calmed me
You have pushed me and charmed me and wiped away my tears.

Your hugs have sustained me and words of support maintained me.
Without you there would be no celebration.
Without an “us” there would be no jubilation.

I close my eyes to savour the sensation
And fully experience the elixir within.
We have drunk from the cup – The cup of acceptance
And the rest of our life’s journey is about to begin.

Kath Kelly
Psychodramatist
12 August 2007

Winter In Our Dramas

Splashes of red
Of Yellow and crimson.

Deep blue
Oceanic
Movement
Ripples.

Rose, burgundies, pinks and purples,
Splashes of colour -
Surrounding our dramas.

The Armor
We build
In splashes of metal -
Pale, Grey,
Stronger in battle.

The mirror we face,
The double we loath.
The Stage we are given
Where Roses
Are hidden.

Reversing our role
We encounter the rose
And looking,
We wander.

Splashes of colour
Surrounding our armors.

Liliana Melone

In God's Bedroom

Natalie Krasnostein, Level 3 trainee at the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne invites you to her show, "In God's Bedroom". Originally devised by Natalie and Jonno Katz and back by popular demand is her one-woman, one-God show, featuring God, King David and others in a singing, dancing, story-telling expose of love, suffering, sacrifice, war, abandonment and joy. Come look inside God’s own private diary – as never before revealed...

Written and performed by Natalie, directed by Deborah Leiser-Moore, the show is presented by Tashmadada. Music by Adam Starr.

The dates: 21st 22nd & 23rd August at 8pm

Tickets: $28/$25
Venue:
Fortyfivedownstairs
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
(near the Spring Street end of Flinders Lane)

bookings 03 9662 9966 or tickets@fortyfivedownstairs.com
Strictly limited season!
Book now before it travels to Perth, London and Israel
www.tashmadada.com

PIM Newsflash - July 2007

* Theatre of Spontaneity -

Friday, 27 July from 7.15 gathering for 7.30 p.m start. Supper.
Concludes at 10.30 p.m.
PIM building at 155 Langridge Street, Collingwood
Entrance fee: $20.00 (MPS members: $15.00)

* Psychodrama Personal Development Weekend Workshops

Leader: Lethe Gaskin

These weekend workshops create a place to bring yourself and explore matters arising in your life and relationships. You may want to explore (or maybe just take a peek!) things past, future, or present. You may wish to address issues from aspects of life such as intimacy, communication, past trauma, life decisions, and work, family and relationship matters. The purpose of the workshops is to develop in participants more lifeful and creative responses, and strengthened connectedness with self and others. Participants may attend one or both weekend workshops.

Group Leader: Lethe Gaskin is a psychodramatist and psychotherapist. She is a faculty member of the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, and works in private practice. Lethe has many years experience as a counsellor, clinician, group leader, teacher and supervisor. She has led groups in personal development, trauma recovery, carer strengthening and support, sexual abuse and supervision of clinical work. Lethe is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Weekend 1: 28 and 29 July
Weekend 2: 1 and 2 September
Daily sessions: 10.00 a.m – 5.30 p.m

Venue: 155 Langridge St Collingwood
Cost: $180.00 per weekend

For enquiries and phone applications, please phone PIM on 9416 3779, or email Lethe at letheg@bigpond.net.au

PIM Weekend Elective Workshop - Developing Family Relationships After Trauma

Leader: Lethe Gaskin


Saturday and Sunday 18 and 19 August
10:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m both days

The aim of the workshop is to provide the opportunity to develop understanding and experience in building relationships in families affected by trauma, including any form of sexual abuse, family violence or loss. The workshop assists in the development, strengthening and maintenance of creative roles in responding to trauma. The “Creative Genius” in the clinician self and in the family members is revealed, nurtured, and celebrated. The psychodrama method in conjunction with other creative and integrative methods will be used in this experiential workshop. Participants may be therapists, survivors, people with an interest in supporting relationship building, or any combination of these.

Lethe Gaskin is a psychodramatist, trainer and supervisor, psychologist and psychotherapist in private practice. She conducts therapeutic and personal development groups, including groups specifically for people who have experienced sexual abuse. Lethe is on the Faculty of the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne and works in Australia and New Zealand.

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

Fee: $280.00 (Deposit $50 due by Friday 3 August) Bring your lunch, tea and coffee provided.

For enquiries and phone applications telephone PIM on 94163779 or email Lethe at letheg@bigpond.net.au

Psychodrama Groups 2007

6-Week Monday Morning and Evening groups
Commencing August 6th

These are experiential personal development groups for
people interested in opportunities to explore themselves
and their relationships through psychodrama.
Enquiries and referrals are welcome.


6 Monday Mornings or Evenings

Term 3: Aug 6, 13, 20, 27, Sept 3, 10
Term 4: Oct 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 12, 26

Time: 10am - 1pm or 7pm - 10 pm

Fee: $250 - per term
$200 - unwaged/students
Medicare rebates available

Facilitators
Simon Parker and Julie Lacy

Contact
Simon 0417351239
simonparker58@yahoo.com.au
www.psychodrama.net.au

News from New Zealand and Greece

Lethe Gaskin received bouquets of flowers for her 50th Birthday on the 30th of June. She will be arriving in Melbourne to resume her teaching at PIM on July 26 and in time for the Theatre of Spontaneity on Friday 27 July.



Ioanna Gagani's twins, Paris and Alexander, are thriving after their early arrival into the world in February.

News from Linda and Leah

Recently I travelled to Durban in South Africa to attend the World Congress of Rural women as the recipient of a bursary from the Department of Primary Industries. I found that the majority of the 3,000 women attending had a high level of spontaneity, bursting into song with the least provocation, especially if there was a delay in proceedings during the congress. Not only did they sing freedom and gospel songs, they stood up and danced. Naturally I joined in. It was an amazing experience to be a part of.

Linda Harrington

Hi Sue,
I hope that you are well. Lots of news is happening with the Shmerlings. Thanks for the offer about adding to the blog.

In the last few months, I started a new job as a Trainer/Curriculum Advisor/Career Counsellor for a training organization and I love it. The work culture is really healthy and respectful, my manager is easy to work and is great and the staff is really friendly.

On Friday 22 June was Ilana's birthday. After being in London for close to 3 years, it's good to celebrate with her. The celebrations went on all weekend. It started with a lovely lunch at Babbles in Prahran and a family dinner which was a feast. On Sunday the immediate family went to an Indian restaurant and ate appetizing and tantalising food.Tammy has submitted her thesis and script for her Master of Creative Media - Film and Television. She now awaits her results. She left for Canberra over the weekend to commence work as a Program Co-ordinator for a television station. Her hard earned efforts have been worth it. Michy has completed her Diploma in Event Management this semester. She is currently in America as a camp counsellor in a Camp America program. She will then travel to Israel where she will travel and undertake an internship in Event Management. My husband is looking for one or two days work as a bookkeeper so if you know anyone that is looking for a good bookkeeper please contact me. So lots are happening with us. Here is a picture of the family.

Best regards,
Leah Shmerling

Leah also sends this:

I have booked tickets to: Priscilla Queen of the Desert - 'A' reserve tickets. Date: Sunday 7 October - first weekend of the show Time: 5 pm The tickets prices will be for groups of 20 or more at $85.50 PLUS $5.00 from each ticket to go to charity - Magen David Adom. This means that your ticket will cost $90.50, which is $10 off the normal price. Please encourage your friends/family to attend. Tickets are selling fast so I hope that we can all attend together and also donate to a great cause. Payment is due end of July.

I look forward to hearing from you,
Leah

Letter From Tam

Hi Sue,

I was extremely pleased with my practicum and I am still taking it all in, all the amazing sharing and gifts given to me on the day. I have been much blessed and loved. Thanking you for bringing me into that space. I am attaching my poem and the photos on the day.

Love Tam

Psychodramatist in the World.