Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Inaugural visit to Chennai, India


Sue Daniel conducted a series of workshops in Chennai from 7-18 December 2012.  The collaboration for this ongoing project is between the IAGP and the East West Center for Counselling and Training, with Magdalene Jeyarathnam, Director of EWCCT.   

Sue led three workshops: 1) A Three-Day Experiential Process Group: Through the Mirror, from 7-9 December, 2) A Three-Day Psychodrama Training Group: Developing New Perspectives from 10-12 December and, 3) A Five-Day Intensive Psychodrama Training Workshop: Being in the Here and Now from 14-18 December, the latter comprising part of an Expressive Arts Therapy (EAT) Diploma course between the Women's Christian College, University of Madras and the East West Center for Counselling and Training. 

In addition to the workshops, Sue gave 5 Lecture/Demonstrations on Psychodrama, Sociometry, Sociodrama, Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes on the 13th and 17th of December at the following Colleges and Universities: 1) Department of Psychology, Women's Christian College (WCC), University of Madras, 2) Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Sciences for Women, 3) The Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), 4) Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) and, 5) Justice Basheer Ahmed Syeed College for Women (JBASCW).   

The organisation for all of these activities and the generosity of the following people was most appreciated by Sue: Dr. Veena Easvaradoss, Head of Department of Psychology (WCC), Dr. Lydia Eric, Head of Department of Psychology (MGR), Dr. Sheela Hemalatha Julius, Head of Department of Counselling Psychology (MSSW), Mrs Rachel Kabi (ADBU), Dr. R. Subashini, Head of Department of Psychology (JBASCW) and, Magdalene Jeyarathnam and staff of EWCCT.

A Brief History of PIM, PIA and MPS - 2001 to today


In May 2001, Sue Daniel (TEP) established a new training institute in Melbourne, Australia.  The Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne (PIM) provides ongoing training in Morenian Psychodrama.  PIM and her sister institute, PIA (the Psychodrama Institute of Aotearoa, the Maori name for New Zealand) come under the Australian and and Aotearoa Board of Psychodrama (AABP).  The Board and the Institutes are all entities within the Moreno Psychodrama Society.  This Society developed with the encouragement of Zerka Moreno.

Sue also created a new Board of Psychodrama in 2001 – re-named the Australian and Aotearoa Board of Psychodrama in 2003.  The reason she chose the name ‘Aotearoa’ over ‘New Zealand’ was that two of PIM’s trainees (sisters, Lethe and Katrina Gaskin) from New Zealand are Maori.  Both are founding members of the Moreno Psychodrama Society and Lethe is a member of the Board of Psychodrama (AABP).  A few years later this Maori word for New Zealand (Aotearoa) was added to the AANZPA organization, which had originated in 1980 in Australia.   Sue was a president of ANZPA for four years (1990-1994).

The Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne has 36 accredited psychodramatists with the Board (AABP).  The PIM library, (named the ‘Zerka Moreno Library’), has over 100 articles written by these and other trainees.  Several of the articles have been published in journals of various psychodrama societies; the ASGPP, BPA, ANZPA, Korea, Italy, and in the Forum (Journal of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes).  Sue has two chapters in International books, “Psychodrama: Advances in Theory and Practice”, edited by Clark Baim, Jorge Burmeister and Manuela Maciel and “Supervision in Psychodrama: Experiential Learning in Psychotherapy and Training”, edited by Hannes Krall, Jutta Furst and Pierre Fontaine.  Ioanna Gagani (the first accredited psychodramatist with AABT) has a chapter in “Communicating with Children and Adolescents: Action for Change” edited by Anne Bannister and Annie Huntington.  Zerka Moreno’s DVD’s, books and articles written over a lifetime are appreciated by all as precious gifts.

PIM has a vibrant website with many links and references:
www.psychodrama-institute-melbourne.com

Since these institutes, board and society are based on Morenian principles, the trainers and practitioners use sociometry in their meetings and groups, in board meetings and conferences.  The trainees in PIM and PIA come from all walks of life and have professional backgrounds in a range of disciplines using psychodrama, for example, in research, education, organisations, psychotherapy, counselling, early childhood education, forensic and criminal justice system and in the community.  Sue has worked in over 32 countries and is instrumental in developing psychodrama programs worldwide.  Her work in Japan for example began in 1986 and continues today.  PIM has supported many people and organisations in their growth and in the development of psychodrama, group psychotherapy and group work.  Trainees and practitioners travel and work in countries such as Bangladesh, Greece, India and Japan.

Sue Daniel
19 February 2013

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Theatre of Spontaneity, 24 February 2013: Exploring the Moon

"Exploring the Moon."

The moon has long been regarded as a feminine symbol, it controls the tides of the oceans, the spawning time of coral on the Great Barrier Reef and probably a lot of other similar things we don't know about yet.
The moon is featured in romantic images of a sexual kind in our culture, especially where it is also seen reflecting in the sea or other water.

We also have the idea of the "lunatic" and the NASA moon landings and did someone once promise you the moon ? 
We'll use this theme for our lift-off for the first Theatre of Spontaneity of the year, Sunday 24 February 2013.


Gavin O'Loughlin is our presenter for the first evening of Theatre of Spontaneity, Sunday, 24 February 2013.  He is a Psychodrama-Assistant and nearing the completion of his training as a psychodramatist at the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne.  Gavin first become involved in Psychodrama in 1982 in Adelaide and found the method and the communities of people involved as very valuable supports, offering great learning opportunities over three decades.  He has worked mainly in the youth justice field.
 
Details for this event:
Gather together for a cup of tea or coffee from 6 p.m for a 6.30 p.m sharp start at the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, 155 Langridge St, Collingwood.


$20.00 ($15.00 MPS Members) SUPPER provided! 
RSVP by Friday, 15 February 2013 to Gavin O'Loughin 0403 597 685
www.psychodrama-institute-melbourne.com

Monday, December 03, 2012

Best Wishes for the Christmas Season and a Happy New Year

The Moreno Psychodrama Society Committee extends to all members past, present and future the warmest of season’s greetings and best wishes for a healthy, happy 2013!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Some Happy People

Back Row: Hien Bui, Di Kearney, Hana Morris, Sue Daniel, Simon Parker.  Front Row: Sam Luxemburg, Clare O'Bree, Noa Weinstein, Jenny Gould, Marie Watt & John De Bono.  Photographer: Stephanie Lee
On Sunday, 11 November 2012,  Di Kearney and Jenny Gould conducted sessions respectively in the morning and the afternoon for their psychodrama practicums.  Both passed and are now accredited Psychodramatists with the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, the Moreno Psychodrama Society and the Australian and Aotearoa Board of Psychodrama. 
All the above, minus John De Bono (photographer) and including Stephanie Lee.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

From Phil Smalley in England


Hi from Sunny Olde England (just joking, though it is sunny at the moment)

I arrived on Saturday at 5am (UK time); it was so much better travelling Premium Economy - more comfortable seats, wider and much more legroom, as well as delicious food.  Baggage collection and through Immigration in less than an hour.  I caught the Heathrow Express to Paddington and then the train to Bath, arriving around 9 am (3 hours before I could actually check in.  That meant going for a bit of a wander, buying a mobile phone, having breakfast and then back to Royal Park Guest House.  I have to confess that it took me 2 days to figure out how to use the mobile only to discover that I hadn't brought my brother and sister-in-law's phone number with me.  I had to email them to ask for it.  However, I eventually figured out how to ring them and had about a 20 minute chat.

Yesterday, I went to the Jane Austen Centre, which I very much enjoyed, followed by more walking (my legs and feet keep telling me how unfit I am).  My sleeping is still somewhat erratic, but I'm becoming more adjusted.  Today, I am taking it a bit easier.  I still haven't been to the Roman Baths, but I may do that tomorrow - you have to get there early in the day, as there are long queues after about 9.30.  I'll probably take a City Tour bus ride this afternoon.  I haven't taken many pictures yet (only 3 so far) but plan to take some more on the bus tour.  I'm so glad I have 5 nights in Bath (last year it was only 2) as I have more time to wander around and take in the old architecture as well as a leisurely stroll by the Avon River.

Well, time for some lunch, I think.

Cheers,
 
Phil Smalley

Monday, November 05, 2012

Dancing Clouds - Launch

Friday, October 19, 2012

Theatre of Spontaneity, Sunday 28 October with Gavin OLoughlin

We're well and truly into spring now and its our last Theatre of Spontaneity for the year.




Our theme is  "Looking back and looking forward".  We'll look back over the year and see its highs and lows, struggles and triumphs, the resolved and the unresolved of 2012.   Then we'll look forward to Christmas, the holiday season and the year that's coming and cast the form of some general ideas, pursuits, goals, plans, presents for ourselves and others that we can metaphorically or symbolically or actually put under the Christmas tree.  Come along and join the celebration, the commiseration and the warming-up to this coming season and year.

Gavin O'Loughlin is the director for the evening.  He is nearing the completion of his training as a Psychodramatist at the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne having first become involved in Psychodrama in 1982 in Adelaide and found the method and the communities of people involved as very valuable supports and offering great learning opportunities over three decades.  He has worked mainly in the youth justice field.

Details for this event:
Gather together for a cup of tea or coffee from 6 p.m for a 6.30 p.m sharp start at the Psychodrama Institute of Melbourne, 155 Langridge St, Collingwood.

$20.00 ($15.00 MPS Members) SUPPER provided! 
RSVP by Friday 28 September 2012 to Gavin O'Loughin 0403 597 685
www.psychodrama-institute-melbourne.com
 
MORENO PSYCHODRAMA SOCIETY - For the Christmas Party this year we'll be celebrating with a High Tea (Special Afternoon Tea), from 4.30 - 6.30 p.m on Sunday 2 December.  Sponge cakes, baby sandwiches, vol au vents etc... Dress accordingly.  Bring teapots, favourite cup and saucer but we'll have some at PIM anyway.  Afternoon tea supplied but anything you'd like to add for the table please do.  A warm welcome to Friends, Family and Colleagues.  

Monday, October 15, 2012

New book available at PIM - student price only

Arrived at PIM...
 
Supervision in Psychodrama: Experiential Learning in Psychotherapy and Training. (Springer VS, 2012, 280 pages).  Edited by Hannes Krall, Jutta Fürst & Pierre Fontaine.
 
 
 
Many experienced psychodrama trainers and supervisors contributed to this book:
Norbert Apter, Maurizio Gasseau & Leandra Perrotta, Agnes Dudler & Kersti Weiß, Giovanni Boria, Sue Daniel, Judith Teszáry, Einya Artzi, Arşaluys Kayır, Chantal Nève-Hanquet, Jan Lap, Ildikó Erdélyi, Hilde Gött, Anna Chesner, Gabriela Moita & António Roma-Torres, Ioannis K. Tsegos & Natassa Karapostoli and Hannes Krall, Jutta Fürst & Pierre Fontaine. 

Supervision in Psychodrama gives an interesting  overview of supervision in psychodrama training in various countries. The full price of the book is 34,95 Euro plus postage but for PIM people the price is $AUD35.00.  

To reserve your copy, contact the office: 9416 3779

Monday, October 08, 2012

Further North to Hokkaido

My journey in Japan continued.  From Morioka where I held a Grief and Loss Workshop for health workers; doctors, nurses, psychologists, teachers, nurses and volunteers of the Red Cross, Jun Maeda and I took a bus and then a plane to Sapporo, Capitol city of Hokkaido.  The next day we travelled to Muroran and visited Jun's University, the Muroran Institute of Technology (MIT), sister to RMIT and several other universities around the world.  Here Jun and  I met with the president of the University and took some very fine green tea together in the President's very spacious and light filled office.  The money for the trip to the affected area of Japan came from this President's budget so it was a very good thing to meet him and thank him for this opportunity to work for this effort. He invited me to be a Visiting Professor to the University and I accepted.  I am the first foreign Visiting Professor of MIT.  This is a very great privilege.

Jun, I and a German colleague who has lived in Japan 25 years, Marguerette then travelled to Date where I ran a psychodrama training workshop on the top floor of the Date Red Cross Hospital.  The view over the sea and the lights of the town were very beautiful.  The night was clear and there was a moon and stars.  I have run many workshops here so it was wonderful to be amongst old friends.  After the workshop we all went and had Italian food.

The following day Jun and I drove back to Sapporo through the mountains and past Lake Toya, where there is a living volcano still puffing out smoke. Since the weather is so hot, the trees have yet to turn to the brilliant red, orange and yellows that Hokkaido is so famous for, but still the green was peaceful.

In Sapporo, I ran a one and half day psychodrama training workshop followed immediately by a one day workshop on psychodrama and trauma and grief and loss.  Many people attended these workshops from all over Japan.  
This journey has been truly remarkable and it is my pleasure to have been here with my good colleagues.  I am a little sad to be leaving but equally happy to be returning to Australia today to my family and friends at PIM and MPS.








Japanese Friends

Sue Daniel
8 October 2012