The Warm-Up: How psychodrama and Systemic Constellation Work can work together - US Constellations

Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, LISW-S, TEP │www.lakehousecenter.com │(262) 633-2645

The Warm-Up: A Psychodramatic Contribution to Constellation Work Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, LISW-S, TEP U.S. Constellations Conference San Francisco, Calif. Oct. 28-30, 2011 Karen Carnabucci offers: • Training programs • Tele-classes • Supervision by personal appointment, telephone & Skype • Exam review and prep for CP and TEP candidates for psychodrama • e-books on “The Psychodrama Notebook” and “Whole Person Marketing” • e-mail newsletter for professionals and students • Midwest Psychodrama blog


About Karen Carnabucci Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, LISW-S, TEP, is a licensed clinical social worker and board-certified trainer, educator and practitioner of psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy. She has trained with Zerka Moreno, J.L Moreno's widow and collaborator in psychodrama, and Heinz Stark, a leading trainer in Systemic Constellation Work. A frequent presenter at the annual conference of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, she practices, teaches and writes about psychodrama and other experiential therapies. She is the founder of the Lake House Health and Learning Center in Racine, Wis., and offers supervision for social workers in Wisconsin and Ohio and training in psychodrama and sociometry nationally;

with her new book, she shows how to integrate key concepts into the new and valuable constellation work.

New book from Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Systemic Constellation Work is a rapidly growing experiential healing process that is being embraced by a variety of helping professionals, both traditional and alternative, worldwide. This book explores the history, principles and methodology of this approach and offers a detailed comparison with psychodrama -- the original mind-body therapy -- explaining how each method can enhance the other. Psychodrama identifies and explores the roles we play in life and helps us change the roles that are not productive or helpful; constellation work is based on the notion that people are connected by unseen energetic forces and suggests that the psychological, traumatic and survival experiences of our ancestors are genetically passed forward to the next generation and may live within us. Using insightful case studies from a variety of client groups, this book shows how Systemic Constellation Work can expand the possibilities of psychodrama techniques, and can be successfully integrated with

psychodramatic enactment and other methods of healing and personal growth. This book is essential reading for students and practitioners of psychodrama and constellation work, as well as counselors, mental health professionals, experiential therapists, creative and expressive arts therapists and alternative practitioners looking to widen their knowledge of mind-body therapies. About the authors: Karen Carnabucci is a licensed clinical social worker and board-certified trainer, educator and practitioner of psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy. She has trained with Zerka Moreno, J.L Moreno's widow and collaborator in psychodrama, and Heinz Stark, a leading trainer in Systemic Constellation Work, and others. Ronald Anderson was a licensed professional counselor and board-certified trainer, educator and practitioner of psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy. He trained with J.L. Moreno and Bert Hellinger, the originator of Systemic Constellation Work, and Heinz Stark. He lived in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, before his death in May 2011.


By Karen Carnabucci MSS, LCSW, TEP

W hat exactly is psychodrama?

Psychodrama — meaning “psyche in action” — helps us explore our inner and outer worlds with action. This versatile method is uses role play and is based in a complex the-ory of relationships and creativity; it is easily adaptable to education, psychotherapy, theater, business, organizational and worship set-tings. Psychodramatists have employed this method to train Secret Service agents to re-spond to emergency situations, help attorneys win difficult cases, develop innovative educational lesson plans in all levels of schools, and heal people suffering depression, trauma and addiction. This method, with its holistic ap-proach, was created by Dr. J.L. Moreno, a European-born physi-cian, starting in the 1920s and was further developed by his collabora-tor and widow Zerka Moreno. Psychodrama is not drama therapy – which is a separate and distinct creative arts discipline. It is the true forerunner of creative arts therapies as we know them today. It is also an effective way to build community, which is also a power-ful healing force, and an important avenue to develop creativity and spontaneity in daily living. Through enactment, participants

explore issues and concerns in a safe environment with the help of a group. The goal of psychodrama helps people discover their inner truth, express emotions freely and establish authentic interactions with others. Group leaders who use role play as part of their group activities are not necessarily using psychodrama although psychodrama theory is the root of modern role play.

I ’ve heard movies and plays referred to as a

“psychodrama,” but this definition is different. Psychodrama refers to the method developed by the Morenos and expanded by later trainers. It does not refer to current events, movies, television or theater productions that are psychologically dramatic.

D oes psychodrama have other uses?

Jonathan Fox used psychodrama philosophy to develop Playback Theatre, which combines entertainment and community

building and has come to be recognized as a method of its own. Peter Pitzele has employed psychodramatic ideas in developing Bibliodrama to bring to life stories of scripture, which he details in the book, “Our Fathers’ Wells.” Educators and consultants have used psycho-drama in organizational and training settings.

H ow do I learn psychodrama?

Experiencing psychodrama begins the process of learning it. If you would like to pursue more knowledge, personal and professional trainings are available in many venues. You can pursue it for your personal growth, for professional growth — or both. If you are undecided about experiencing a session, you can first learn more by reading one or more books about psychodrama.

H ow can I use psychodrama in my

work? If you enter a training program, you will learn a theoretical foundation as well as sound proven techniques. Enrolling in workshops will provide a framework to use the exercises in your work. Psychodrama is not a bag of techniques, but a specific theory; training and supervision is important to add and refine skills.

Questions and answers about psychodrama

Psychodrama: “psyche inaction.”


By Karen Carnabucci MSS, LCSW, TEP

T he origins of psychodrama parallel the life of Dr. J.L.

Moreno and have developed with his interest in philosophy, mysticism and theater principles and observations of group interactions and relationships. Moreno was among the first to recognize the healing power of a group, including the importance of self-help groups, where each person becomes the healing agent of the other without any special training or knowledge other than his or her own experience. About 1912, while walking the streets of Vienna, Austria, he noticed police arresting prostitutes in the city’s red light district. A young medical student, he organized an informal group where the women could talk about their problems. They gradually moved from talking about their problems with the police to more personal issues, providing emotional support to each other. This experience contributed to Moreno’s interest in working with groups rather than individuals, as was the style set by Sigmund Freud, an older contemporary. Moreno later coined the phrase “group psychotherapy” to recognize this particular form of treatment. The first recognized public psychodrama took place on April 1, 1921 at the Komodien Haus, a theater in Vienna. At that time, Moreno invited the people of the community to the theater, with its stage showing an empty “throne.” Dressed in the costume of a jester, he invited members of the audience to take the role of a leader. Much of the audience apparently did not understand or appreciate Moreno’s message, and no individual was seen worthy as taking the leadership in the post-war turmoil. Moreno left Europe for the United States

in 1925. With emigration, he brought his interest in working with children, spontaneous theater and psychotherapy with the use of theater principles. He also was very interested in the study of relationships in groups, dating back to his work at the refugee camp in Mitterndorf. He continued to refine his sociometric studies at the Hudson State Training School for Girls, Hudson, N.Y. He devised methods of matching delinquent girls according to living and work task preferences, which increased cooperation among the girls and decreased the number of runaways. Moreno established Beacon Hospital, an alternative hospital with a therapeutic theater, in the late 1930s and shortly after met Zerka Toeman, who was seeking help for her sister, who was suffering from severe psychosis. She first became his assistant, then student, then trained auxiliary and finally his wife and collaborator, writing with him “Psychodrama Volume II” and “Psychodrama Volume III” as well as numerous articles. She traveled with him throughout the United States and the world to demonstrate and teach

psychodrama and sociometry and helped write “The First Psychodramatic Family” to detail use of psychodrama in the family setting. In 1942, he founded the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, the first group therapy organization, which remains active today. It is the professional organization that offers an annual conference, a membership newsletter and a journal for people interested in the use and study of action methods. After his death in 1974, the American Board of Examiners was organized to establish certification standards for practitioner and trainer, guaranteeing that persons who hold these certifications have met requirements for the practicing or training of the psychodramatic method. In terms of significance, Moreno’s work at the Hudson State Training School for Girls — as well as work with inmates at Sing Sing — contributed to the growth of sociometry, as he called the study and measurement of social relationships. Moreno considered sociometry the basis of his work with psychodrama as detailed in his seminal volume “Who Shall Survive?” and actually saw psychodrama as secondary, providing repair to distorted sociometric connections. He believed that sociometry made invisible relationships visible by recognizing “tele,” the energetic connection between people. By measuring relationship preferences in a group, whether in a therapeutic setting, organization or community, Moreno valued choice and co-creation of the future. Those interested in J.L. Moreno’s life may seek out his psychodrama volumes and other works. Two excellent biographies include “Jacob Levy Moreno, 1889-1974” by Rene Marineau and “J.L. Moreno” by Paul Hare and June Hare. Zerka’s memoirs are expected to be published in 2011 or 2012.

A brief history of psychodrama and its founder


Warm-up This is the part of the group process when people come together not just physically but also energetically. With a proper warm-up presented by the leader, participants increase cohesion and develop readiness and for what is to come.

Action This is the part of the process where people are highly involved in some way. This is where the bulk of the “work” of the group takes place. In psychodrama, it may be an action vignette; in other group settings it may be brainstorming, role playing or interacting deeply with each other. This high involvement does not just happen — it evolves because the group has been guided and “warmed” by the facilitator and each other.

Sharing This is the final part of the group, the integration and closing. This part of the process is extremely important because it integrates learning and creates a sense of completion in some way — although there is also understanding that the process will continue to work within the person. In psychodrama, sharing involves telling the protagonist about how he or she relates to the drama that has just been enacted; those who played roles tell how it felt to play the role — adding to the task of de-roling. There are other ways to integrate the learning as well.

The psychodramatic warm-up process


Varieties of the ideal progression of warm-up Not every session or protagonist (client) follows the ideal progression of warm-up, ac-tion and sharing in “equal” amounts. Here we note the ideal and variations to watch for and adjust as group leader. Remember to always allow time for integration.

This is the ideal warm-up progression. Here the director identifies a warm-up suitable for the group and the group theme and participants respond and progress as a group. When a protagonist (client) is selected, the drama or dra-matic vignette again easily follows the three-phrase pattern. There is adequate time to warm up and adequate time for integration. The director’s primary task is to continue to monitor the actions of the group and participatints as the session unfolds.

This is the warm-up that is more than “warm” — it is overheated. The protagonist (client) may be highly emotional and may have a difficult time focusing or concentrating on his or her issue, answering questions from the director or following instructions. He or she may be overly involved in the group, attempting to intervene in the role of the director. How the director may respond to overheated participant: • Have group member verbally share with others or write in journal. • Identify body-oriented activities to release energy (foot stomping, dancing, drumming, etc.) • Have group member do a short vignette that releases emotion. • Have group member and group practice calming activities.

This is the overly-slow warm-up. Here, the protagonist (client) appears distant, quiet, distracted or unengaged. He or she may typically may seem to “wake up” and show interest and involvement shortly before the session is about to end. How the director may respond to slow-to-warm participant: • Ask for doubling statements (or act as double) as well as techniques of soliloquy to increase engagement. • Use warm-up options that allow group member to exercise preference in choosing others. • Include him or her in others’ vignettes, even in playing a silent or other bystander or helping role. • Have group members select “the one you’d like to get to know better” to enhance inclusion. • Plan to work with participant later in the session.


Some differences with systemic constellation work and psychodrama

Psychodrama Systemic Constellation Work

Developer – J.L. Moreno

Developer – Bert Hellinger

Origination – 1921

Origination — 1980

Director

Facilitator

Protagonist

Client

Auxiliary

Representative

Stage

Knowing field

Social atom

Constellation

Set up

Place

Role reversal Position reversal (coined by Ron Anderson)

Role development – observation and improvisation

Role development – “feel into”

Doubling statement

Healing statement

Doubling

Resonance

Seminal writings: Psychodrama, Volume I, II, III

Seminal writings: Love’s Hidden Symmetry, Acknowledging What Is

De-roling Role honoring and giving back

Sharing and integration No sharing, but a time of meditative silence

Spontaneity Phenomenology

Action sociogram Constellation session


Content Process Mood Body

• Ask attendees to about constellation work and what they have gained since attending or (if they are new) what they hope to gain. Have them share as group or in dyads or triads.

• Share a pleasant

memory or story of a specific ancestor.

• Share what

qualities you have taken from same gender parent.

• Share a fact about

intergenerational family history. (Use cards with list of possible prompts).

• Take a role (role

reverse) of one of your ancestors. Mill about the room and “meet” another ancestor and talk to him or her while staying in the role of your ancestor.

• Use spectrogram — most or least polarities — to have participants show how familiar or not familiar they are with constellation work and/or psychodrama.

• Use spectrogram

— most or least polarities — to have participants show his or her level of clarity about his or her goal for the session.

• Use locogram —

identifying specific places on the floor — to show a participant’s inclination to be observer, representative or client.

• Find a place in the

room and picture your parents in front of you. Slowly bow your head to honor the life they have given you. See how far your head is willing to go.

• Select, place a light a ceremonial candle to call a beloved ancestor to group. Take time to watch the candle flame in silence. Remember to breathe.

• Arrange a

collection of hearts (made of stone, cloth, paper or pottery or other materials) and ask participants to select a heart they feel drawn to. Have them hold their heart while seated and lead and imagery that brings their awareness to their own inner heart. Ask participants to share feelings.

• Provide art

materials to draw and color a mandala in silence.

• Provide art

materials to draw and color a heart in silence.

• Draw a sideways figure 8 in the air with your arms as your body sways.

• Walk within a

space and stop “when it feels right to stop.” Feel your body in the place you are standing. One by one, speak in soliloquy about how your body feels in place in this moment. Then walk again, stop again and share again. Participants will learn that different feelings show up at different places.

• Walk consciously

rather than hurriedly in the space. Now find a partner and stand silently with your partner, shoulder to shoulder. Notice how your body feels in this place. Now reverse with your partner’s place, again standing shoulder to shoulder. Notice if your body feels different here. Share with your partner or with the group.


American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama This professional organization offers a newsletter, journal and annual national and regional conferences as well as links to collectives and chapters throughout the United States. www.asgpp.org American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy Examining board certifies practitioners and trainers of psychodrama. For online directory of practitioners and trainers in United States and internationally, plus U.S. certification standards and other information, see www.psychodramacertification.org American Society of Experiential Therapists Offers two levels of certification for practitioners with psychodrama training who also work with addiction and family addiction treatment. For information or membership, see: www.asetonline.org International Association of Group Psychotherapy This professional organization has a psychodrama subgroup. A wide range of international resources, including extensive bibliography and trainers and periodic worldwide conferences with diverse practitioners. www.iagp.org Jessica Kingsley Publishers Publishing house based in United Kingdom offers wide selection of books on the psychodrama, art therapy, drama therapy and other creative arts and alternative therapies. www.jkp.com Mental Health Resources Company offers catalog of books, tapes and monographs and other products on psychodrama

theory, practice and supervision and numerous other aspects of the creative arts therapies, including art therapy, drama therapy and others. www.newpaltzbooks.com Group Talk Online discussion list for psychodrama practitioners and others interested in psychodrama. Moderator is Tom Treadwell, TEP. www.grouptalkweb.org International Psychodrama Network Online community of those interested in psychodrama throughout the world. To subscribe, visit www.iagp.org and follow links for psychodrama group. Midwest Psychodrama Blog Blog, mostly written and moderated by Karen Carnabucci, TEP, offers commentary, news YouTube and other videos and other information about psychodrama and other experiential skills, especially in the Midwest. http://midwestpsychodrama.blogspot.com Dramatherapy List Online bulletin board for practitioners and students interested in drama therapy. To subscribe, see web site of National Association of Drama Therapy. www.nadt.org

Resources for psychodrama and experiential therapy

Documents

The Warm-Up: How psychodrama and Systemic Constellation Work can work together - US Constellations