ABSTRACT:

After years of dedicated work in the PERFORMERS group a small determined group of individuals launched the first educational programme in the field of sociodrama in Budapest. These individuals are our trainers, and we are their first trainees, having earned the title of “Assistant Sociodrama Group Leader” in Hungary

Thanks to our training and the guidance of our trainers, we have been able to establish numerous new groups, applying the sociodrama method in various aspects of our original professions. We have experimented with the method and endeavored to address the traumas and wounds within our society.

We would like to present the multiple areas where we facilitated group work, and offer to our audience to select the topics that interest them the most. We will then zoom in and delve deeper into these areas through sociodramatic enactment.

We firmly believe that sharing our work can serve as a source of inspiration not only for those who work with sociodrama but also for those who teach and train in this methodology.

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ABSTRACT:

Intersecting spaces: navigating individual and social narratives through critical psychodrama (Presentation)
The critical psychology approach takes social factors and social issues into consideration among the causes of psychological phenomena. During the presentation, we aim to look at the individual themes and group processes appearing in psychodramatic scenes, and also their connection to sociodrama, from a critical psychodrama perspective.

Is it among the tasks of the psychodrama leader to make participants of the psychodrama group think about and reflect on discriminative social systems and power inequalities that affect them? Does the thematization of social embeddedness have relevancy when individual themes and problems arise on the stage of psychodrama, and if so, in which way? What can psychodrama and sociodrama learn from each other? What is the result if both the individual and the social point of view appear in the same psychodramatic space?

In our opinion, these are exciting and timely professional questions. Critical psychodrama examines the processes appearing in the space of psychodrama not only at the level of the individual but embedded in a broader social context, using a systematic approach. Basically, individual problems are not merely manifestations of blockages, role deficits, and self-limiting beliefs in the protagonist’s mind, but instead systems created and maintained by several actors and factors. As a result, it can easily happen that the protagonist’s attempt to put their new kind of emotional knowledge experienced on the psychodramatic stage into practice, quickly collides with social expectations and role pressures, thereby making the long-term integration of the new pattern difficult, or even downright impossible.

What can we do as psychodrama leaders? During the presentation, we are looking for theoretical and methodological answers to the above questions and scenarios. We present the main principles of critical psychodrama and introduce interested parties to the dilemmas that a psychodrama leader working with a critical approach encounters.

Tools of insight: enhancing psychodramatic practice through a critical lens (Workshop)
Following the presentation addressing the foundations and theoretical background of critical psychodrama, the workshop will showcase and explore several practical tools of the approach. The speakers aim to expand the psychodrama toolkit with methods, techniques, and procedures that consider individual experiences and the encompassing social environment in their full complexity, thereby opening up new aspects to the members of a given psychodrama group. Throughout the workshop, we aspire to showcase these methods and techniques to the participants, with particular attention to comparisons with sociodrama.

The focus is on applying techniques within a psychodramatic context, enabling group members to develop new, system-conscious interpretations and coping mechanisms and to gain awareness of the social embeddedness of their social roles and identities. In this short method demonstration, together with the workshop participants, we will explore the possibilities of the brought situations and what the critical approach can offer to deal with them.

The goal of critical psychodrama is, on one hand, to establish realistic expectations among group members regarding the nature and process of change and, on the other hand, to explore how individual recognitions can be durably implemented into practice, for example, through building alliances and exposing the weak points of the hidden social structure shaping our lives.

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ABSTRACT:

As therapists and group leaders, we usually amplify the advantages of being a part of a group. That is because we know the profound processes that groups allow an individual and a community to go through. A group is considered a master tool for achieving a desired change.

But what happens between different groups? Europe and the entire world are experiencing an enormous wave of clashes between groups on political, religious and racial grounds. The impact of these clashes is experienced like a tsunami that everyone can feel in their own country or community.

In this workshop, we will bring forth this concept that groups can bring us together but also tear us apart. We will bring forth different kinds of encounters and role reversals to allow the participants to experience themselves in positions that constantly change as does our reality these days.

By using sociometric tools such as spectrogram and sociogram, we will try to follow J.L Moreno’s footsteps in order to actively understand how we can harness the power of groups in orders to make good, to connect rather than divide. In order to do so we will need to arouse spontaneity and creativity because as Moreno says, ‘the problem is how to elicit from every man his maximum spontaneous participation so that we can lay bare the fundamental structures between persons and between persons and objects’ (Moreno, J.L, Sociometry 1, pp 206, 1937).

During this session participants will experience firsthand the warm embrace that groups can give, as well as the dangers they can cause to an individual and a community.

Hopefully, after the workshop, participants will be able to better identify harmful processes between groups and, as group leaders and therapists, allow a dialogue that connects between different individuals and societies.

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ABSTRACT:

For those escaping hunger, poverty, and persecution, and for others facing various disadvantages, the fundamental question arises: do we include and accept them? Do we open ourselves and our assets to them? Are we willing to understand them and their situation? Do we see the values and dignity of others as our own? “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was a stranger and you invited me in.”

As a result of the scriptural understanding of man’s existence in the world, bibliodrama, similar to sociodrama, is an important medium for aspirations to transcend the vicissitudes of current life situations. In the workshop we will try to show how a biblical story can become an inspiration for solving problems on a social level by understanding the human experience told to help the community to better mobilize its resources and to take responsibility.

Our starting story is a fascinating intercultural-interethnic event: „In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab {…} They married Moabite women.”

In the first part of our workshop, we will experience and reflect on the social context of the narrative. Afterward, we will together create the reality of the initial situation here and now. In the meantime, we will pay particular attention to the common ground in the interpersonal relations of the moment, to aspects of understanding, solidarity, inclusion, and subsidiarity. We will attempt to experience the joys and challenges of an ecumenical and intercultural attitude, and how and to what extent scriptural truth can be made relevant to us: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7, 12)

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ABSTRACT:

This workshop will explore the experience of those who have been involuntarily displaced from their homes by war, famine and other acts of violence and discrimination.

Participants will be helped through Sociodrama, action based and reflective exercises to connect with and explore in action others experiences of displacement and loss of control over their own lives.

The three levels of Sociodrama; Sharing from role, Personal Sharing and Social Learning will provide a container and an opportunity for integration of learning.

Aims and Objectives: To increase our understanding and empathy with those who are displaced. We also hope that participants will be inspired to create connections with those displaced and on the edges of their communities.

Learning objectives: At the end of the workshop participants will have:

1. A greater understanding and empathy with those who are displaced in their communities.
2. Expanded their ability to step into another’s shoes and see the world from their perspective.
3. Develop a vision of how to reach out or advocate for change in their communities

Bibliography
Nujeen: One Girls Incredible Journey from war torn Syria in a Wheelchair
Nujeen Mustafa with Christina Lamb
My Fourth Time We Drowned
Sally Hayden

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ABSTRACT:

Finding the “Gold” in the “Golden Year”: Maximizing the creativity for communities throughout the life-span

As we age, roles shift, change, and all too often, contract. Yet, communities thrive and reach their full potential when all participants are able to participate fully within the limits of their abilities. When embraced, age can provide space to access powerful new energies and tune into archetypes of compassion, outrage, power and new layers of wisdom. The gift that years and experience offer is the potential for increased clarity and voice. Moreno’s methodologies of psychodrama and sociodrama provide avenues to expand roles and find new ones. In this workshop we will provide tools to help ourselves and those we work with identify archetypes that will help them step fully and confidently into the fullness of their most authentic selves and enrich their own lives and that of the communities with which they interact.

Learning Objectives. After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify archetypes useful for ages 50 and beyond
2. Describe two psychodramatic and sociodramatic techniques useful in reinvigorating life after 50

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ABSTRACT:

This presentation describes the way sociodrama was used in the context of an innovative transdisciplinary project entitled “Transition to 8: Bridging social issues, tech and contemporary art”, that applied multimodal methods for studying the impact of social issues on citizens and bridging them with technology and contemporary art.
Along with other participatory arts-based approaches, such as the use of social theatre (Saldaña, 2011), sociodrama has developed in recent years from an innovative method of qualitative analysis for social issues into a major transformative intervention for community development (Conrad & Sinner, 2015). In this study, we used sociodrama as an approach that is both inherently embodied and socially minded. Data generation took place in the context of six sociodrama sessions that is, two sessions per subject (environment, labour, migration), in which Eleusis residents were called upon to enact their perspectives, concerns and experiences regarding living in Eleusis on topics that were identified as central concerns for the local community. Each session lasted approximately one-and-a-half hours. The sessions were facilitated by two experienced sociodramatists, members of the research team, who introduced the rationale, the process and the activities of the sessions. In line with the researchers’ interest in multimodal research, the sessions were video- and audio-recorded. Biometric data via wearable sensor, resembling that of smart watches, measuring physiological signals affiliated with emotional arousal were obtained from the participants who felt comfortable wearing the devices.
Data from the sessions were provided to artists, in the form of sound, visual, biometric and verbal elements, which constitute sources of inspiration for their artistic productions. Examples from the research findings will be presented in a multimodal way.

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ABSTRACT:

In this workshop we will go from a personal primal drawing to reconnect through collective creation in search of our tribe, a place to belong, a holding frame where we can be ourselves and be part of a community.

What can we learn from our ancient roots? What is there that we can take into our lives today? What is our personal responsibility versus our personal agency amongst the wider society? How can we steer ourselves to further the greater good and strengthen community?

We will be exploring the power of play to connect our personal communal histories that form groups and society in the hope that we can co-create a better world.

After this session participants will:

• Have a better understanding through their experience of combining the creative arts with sociometry and sociodrama.
• Explore how we can use personal agency for the greater collective
• Remember the importance of play

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ABSTRACT:

Appreciating another’s point of view, recognising the power of the group, loving and valuing someone for who they are – I call the art of being human. However this is easier said than done as we all live in systems that have patterns of functioning that can work against us achieving this.

This workshop will be conducted as a sociodrama working with Moreno’s vision of a “social” or “creative” revolution in which people are able to respond in new and novel ways, and to reverse roles with other people.

Together we will explore a particular system, uncover the social forces at play, identify interconnections and interdependencies and distinguish what works against or towards participants living in the system to practice the art of being human.

This session will enable participants to appreciate what is possible when all players in the system are engaged in a group process.

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ABSTRACT:

A comprehensive perspective on social cultures can foster innovative approaches to exploring and reorganizing collective roles. The enchantment of surplus reality resides in the utilization of imagination and play in this pursuit; it enables us to explore and manifest our needs, and goals on how to live and coexist in the collective realm of the future. From the philosophy of Dr. Moreno, we know that through our creative genius, we cultivate new ways of being, co-creating, and connecting. Surplus reality in sociodrama addresses our goal to explore collective creative potential by bringing the future into the present and expressing hopes, readiness, and willingness for change, creating a better world for all.

This workshop will explore pathways on how to turn our visions for the future into present actions and pursuits. Dr. Moreno left us a message that if we can imagine something, we can pursue and accomplish it, reaching out to new “invisible dimensions’ for connection, inclusion, and a collective future in a healed global society.

“Surplus Reality is … an enrichment of reality by the investment and extensive use of imagination” (Moreno, J.L. (1965). Therapeutic vehicles and the concept of surplus reality. Group Psychotherapy, 18, p. 211

The following learning objectives aim to provide participants with a rich and transformative experience in envisioning and realizing a healed and united global community through the applications of surplus reality in sociodrama. After attending this session, the participants will be able to:

• Recognize the concept of surplus reality and its utilization in sociodrama in exploring and manifesting needs, goals, and aspirations for collective living in the future.
• Describe the session’s goal of exploring collective creative potential by bringing future visions into the present, fostering hopes, readiness, and willingness for positive change.
• Define pathways and strategies to turn envisioned futures into tangible present actions and pursuits, in alignment with Dr. Moreno’s belief that imagination can be pursued and accomplished.

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ABSTRACT:

The social atom, created by Moreno in 1975, posits that individuals are shaped by their interactions, leading to the development of role theory. Moreno suggested that the social atom represents the smallest unit of society, comprised of people essential to an individual’s life. Literature examining differences includes Butler (2011), who discusses gender performances, and Hooks (2000), who introduces the concept of intersectionality. It could be argued that social tensions affecting groups identified with different categories may lead to violent acts, such as racism and homophobia, often perpetrated by those who identify one-sidedly with these social struggles. In contrast, the Morenian approach enables groups to understand each other through their differences as well as their similarities. Thus, literature on social markers serves as a contemporary tool that can complement and enhance psychodramatic work. This online workshop aims to explore client relationships through the lens of social categories like gender, race, and sexual orientation, drawing attention to how these differences influence such relationships. Participants will reflect on their own and their clients’ experiences regarding sociocultural and historical differences.

Educational Objectives:

• To make the social differences between psychodramatists and their clients more visible and encourage curiosity about these differences.
• To reflect on client relationships concerning social markers and differences, acknowledging their impact on these relationships.
• To share strategies for addressing differences in psychodramatic work.

Method:
Participants will create social atoms for clients they currently work with, whether in private practice, institutions, or other settings. After developing these social atoms, they will categorize their clients by social identities (e.g., transgender, bisexual, non-monogamous), using different colors to represent each category. The expected outcome is a social atom that visually represents the clients’ identities. Participants will then be invited to consider which markers might identify their clients (e.g., skin color, gender expression, relationship styles) and how their own experiences with these markers may influence their client relationships. This reflection will be conducted privately. Afterward, participants will share their thoughts with the group to the extent that they feel comfortable. The discussion will include the impact of power relations on their work and strategies for managing differences and power imbalances.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Butler, J. (2011). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Estados Unidos: Taylor & Francis. Hooks, B. (2000). Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. Reino Unido: Pluto Press. Moreno, J. L. (1946). Psychodrama. Estados Unidos: Beacon House.

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ABSTRACT:

The presenter selected this topic to highlight the social roles of individuals living with Alzheimer’s, along with the challenges faced by both formal and informal caregivers, and the broader implications for society. This decision is rooted in the presenter’s expertise and extensive experience in the field. Dr. Daniela Simmons, a sociodramatist, gerontologist, and educator, emphasizes, “Happy Aging means living with dignity, love, and care. Old Age should be as enjoyable as any other season of human life. This is a critical issue that demands attention from caregivers, professionals, and policymakers alike. We must envision how we want to experience our later years and ensure the same quality of life for those currently in old age.” With this perspective, the workshop aims to explore and understand the profound impact of dementia and identify effective ways to support those affected by the condition, their families, and caregivers, as well as society at large. The presentation will incorporate both didactic and experiential elements. Learning Objectives:

Participants will gain insights into the profound effects of dementia on individuals, their families, and caregivers. The workshop will explore the social roles of those living with Alzheimer’s and the challenges they face, emphasizing the importance of dignified, loving, and caring approaches to aging.

Attendees will learn effective ways to support those affected by dementia, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for the elderly in their later years. Strategies will address the needs of both formal and informal caregivers and consider the broader implications for society.

Bibliographic references:
Simmons, D., (2011) Sustainable Living In Long-term Care: For People with Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Educational Gerontology, Publisher Routledge
Simmons, D., (2023) Models for Individuals with dementia: Beyond the Special Care Framework; Long Term Care Models and Culture Change Movement in U.S., Book in Chineese & English

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ABSTRACT:

Families and patients often struggle to see that eating disorders are not about weight or food. This sociodramatic technique was developed to use in large multifamily groups to help educate and give the families the emotional experience of an eating disorder and create a strategy for recovery from within. The sociodrama itself uses some body resistance to concretize the body struggle and we will be practicing together how to recreate a very physicalized sociodrama into a hybrid live/zoom space.

After this workshop participants will explain the importance of familial role reversal with the patient to stop the rescue pattern and help the client heal themselves.
After this workshop participants will be able to apply ‘fat’ and healing circles for working with body image issues.

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ABSTRACT:

Sociopsychodrama as a Path to Encounter.
Rebirthing sociometric networks in our present world.

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