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