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ICP&P Study Group: Psychodramatic Explorations in Peer Supervision


Monica Leonie Callahan, Ph.D.


Learning Objectives for 2011-2012

At the end of the following sessions, participants will be able to:

Session 1:

  1. Explain how psychodrama techniques like role playing, doubling, role reversal, and mirroring can be used to promote empathic immersion.
  2. Describe a particular instance of an action structure used for that purpose in the study group.

Session 2:

  1. Discuss how the use of psychodrama methods potentially affects the relationship between therapist and patient, or supervisor and supervisee.
  2. Illustrate, with an example, how the use of these techniques can be verbally processed in a therapy or supervisory setting.

Session 3:

  1. Describe the application of at least one psychodrama technique to a non-group therapy setting, e.g., individual therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy.
  2. Design a simple action structure that could potentially be applied to one of these settings.

Session 4:

  1. Explain the psychodramatic concept of spontaneity/creativity and its implications for the conduct of therapy or supervision.
  2. Provide an example of "spontaneity training," based on experiences in the study group.

Session 5:

  1. Compare different forms of doubling and their functions in therapeutic work.
  2. Demonstrate the use of at least one form of doubling as it could be applied to an ongoing clinical or supervisory situation.

Session 6:

  1. Define the psychodramatic concept of "surplus reality."
  2. Provide at least two examples of its use, based on action structures experienced in the study group.

Session 7:

  1. Describe at least two ways that psychodrama techniques can access, explore, and influence nonverbal dimensions of experience.
  2. Design a hypothetical action structure incorporating nonverbal techniques to address a clinical or supervisory issue in their practice.

Session 8:

  1. Discuss how a psychodramatic approach can be applied to the notion of multiple selves or multiple self states.
  2. Design a hypothetical action structure that includes at least two self states in a clinical, supervisory, or other professional context.

Session 9:

  1. Discuss how a psychodramatic approach can be applied to notions of enactment and role responsiveness.
  2. Provide a hypothetical or actual example of such an application in a clinical, supervisory, or other professional context.

Session 10:

  1. Describe the use of psychodrama techniques to facilitate the process of closure, termination, and transition in professional situations.
  2. Design a simple action structure that can address termination issues in therapy or supervision.