Just announced a Psychodrama Weekend. I have conducted many psychodrama weekends and I’m pleased to have warmed up to something new for this one.
As I become more steeped in the relational paradigm everything becomes more relational. While not a workshop specifically for couples this one is “couple friendly”. I’m conscious how important this is, not just in the flyer but in the actual way I will conduct the group. The relationship is the “third entity”. The relationship can be the protagonist. And if one partner is the protagonist then there is a specific focus on the other partner as auxiliary.
A small change? Not really. This is a small expression of a major phenomenon. “Personal Development” is the word we use for these types of workshops. Moreno may never have called them that, he used the word encounter and was always focussing on the relationships more than “the self”.
Any relationship could be the protagonist. Is that what love stories are? Movies about a couple? Maybe. Maybe it is not such a new genre? Love relationships are not any relationship though and there is a qualitative difference between an intimate loving committed relationship and all the rest. Parent child is another form of relationship that stands out as quite distinct.
As a psychodrama director I am learning new skills. How to direct a relational drama, where both people are present as themselves. That is an exploration that I’m right into at the moment.
On NZAP here.
On Meetup here.