Family-of-Origin Work: Applying Psychodrama to Systemic Thinking
The value and importance of doing one’s own work has been emphasized by leaders in the fields of family therapy and other schools. The methods of achieving this have been varied; from coaching the individual to re-connect with his/her family of origin to multiple family reunions. This workshop will demonstrate applications of Action Methods (Sociometry. Psychodrama & Group Psychotherapy) in training mental health professionals to do their own work and will offer tools to help clients in similar efforts. J. L. Moreno, the creator of Action Methods, was one of the earliest pioneers of systemic thought and family therapy. In this experiential and interactive workshop, attendees will learn many group building and other techniques to deepen expression and enhance direct communication even in very difficult situations. This theory and these techniques will be taught in ways that can be applied in their own work with individuals, or with groups.
Psychodrama is a rich and varied modality for personal explorations of many kinds. In ancestral psychodrama, the focus is on members of one’s lineage—those family members who have come before us and/or our clients and have left their imprint, consciously or unconsciously, in the present. Participants will have a chance to discover family patterns over three generations, and will have the opportunity to take the role of one family member, known or unknown, from the past, to bring awareness into the present with messages given and received. Ancestral psychodrama gives participants a chance to experience the struggles and triumphs of early family members, and can help them clear out unfinished business that has left lingering imprints in future generations. Participants will learn and practice this use of extended role reversal as a way of healing energy blocks. Extended role reversal can be used working with individuals or groups.