WURZWEILER SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION to PSYCHODRAMA,
SOCIOMETRY, and GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY
SWK 6114

Summer 2020

Dr. Sari Skolnik

Sari.Skolnik-Basulto@yu.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is designed to explore the bridge between personal narratives, creativity,
and the power of community. In this course students will gain an understanding of the
principles and techniques of psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy.
Conceived and developed by Jacob L. Moreno, psychodrama employs guided dramatic
action to examine problems or issues raised by an individual or a group. Using
experiential methods, sociometry, role theory, and group dynamics, psychodrama
facilitates insight, personal growth, and integration on cognitive, affective, and
behavioral levels. It clarifies issues, increases physical and emotional wellbeing and
enhances learning and develops new skills.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course, the students will be able to demonstrate:
1. Their understanding of the connection between social work practice and
psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy
2. Their understanding of the philosophy underlying psychodrama, sociometry, and
group psychotherapy. Additionally, students will learn the historical development of
this modality.
3. Their competence in articulating and applying key concepts of different
psychodramatic techniques
4. Their understanding of how to integrate psychodramatic techniques with diverse
populations in various settings.

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

1
5. Their understanding of integrating this method in their field work.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

This course is highly interactive and experiential, providing opportunities to experience

role-play and other psychodramatic techniques. Special attention is given to the safe
and ethical use of experiential methods with specific populations, including individuals
with trauma histories and other vulnerable populations.
This class is experiential in nature and does call for some level of self-disclosure for
the purpose of learning. Students always have the right to pass on any activity and
disclose within limits of what feels comfortable.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

This class is designed to provide an overview of psychodramatic methods in working

with individuals, couples, families and groups. Toward this end, critical thinking,
meaningful dialogue, and participation in in-class experiential activities are important.
In order to maximize learning, full attendance is expected and unexcused absences will
adversely affect your grade. If, for some compelling reason you expect to arrive late to
class, please call or text the instructor.

Texts for the Course

•Blatner, A.(2000). Foundations of psychodrama: History, theory, and practice (4th

ed.). New York: Springer Books. ISBN-13: 978-0826160423. $17.00

•Dayton, T. & Moreno, Z., (2004). The living stage: A step-by-step guide to
psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health
Communications. $19.00

Supplemental Texts:

•Gershoni, J. (Ed.). (2003). Psychodrama in the 21st century: Clinical and

educational applications. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. ISBN-
13: 978-0826121752. $25.00

•Marineau, R.F. (2014). Jacob Levy Moreno (1889-1974), Father of psychodrama,

sociometry, and group psychotherapy. New Jersey: Psychodrama Press ISBN-13:
9781482366228. $20.00

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

2
Note: All required readings are on-line through electronic reserve (ERES). Your
instructor will distribute the password and directions to access these readings.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

There will be two assignments for this course, a mid-term paper due class 7 and a final
paper due at the end of the semester. The specific requirements of each written
assignment will be distributed to you by the instructor. Late papers will result in lower
grades.
Class Participation: 35%
Mid-term Assignment: 30%
Final Assignment: 35%

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities who are enrolled in this course and who will be requesting
documented disability-related accommodations are asked to make an appointment
with the Office of Disability Services, Rochelle Kohn, Beren Campus, (646) 592-4132,
rkohn1@yu.edu, Abby Kelsen, Wilf Campus, (646)592-4280, akelsen@yu.edu, during
the first week of class. After approval for accommodations is granted, please submit
your accommodations letter to Disability Services Office immediately.

PLAGIARISM:

Students should remember that the School will not condone plagiarism in any form
and will sanction acts of plagiarism. A student who presents someone else's work as
his or her own work is stealing from the authors or persons who did the original
thinking and writing. Plagiarism occurs when a student directly copies another's work
without citation; when a student paraphrases major aspects of another's work without
citation; and when a student combines the work of different authors into a new
statement without reference to those authors. It is also plagiarism to use the ideas
and/or work of another student and present them as your own. It is not plagiarism to
formulate your own presentation of an idea or concept as a reaction to someone else's
work; however, the work to which you are reacting should be discussed and
appropriately cited. Any student who can be shown to have plagiarized any part of any
assignment in this course will automatically FAIL the course and will be referred to the
Associate Dean for disciplinary action, which may include expulsion.

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

3
HIPAA ALERT:

In line with the new HIPAA regulations concerning protected health information, it is
important that you understand that any case information you present from your work
will need to be de-identified. What this means is that any information that would allow
another to identify the person needs to be changed or eliminated. This includes obvious
things like names and birth dates but may also contain other information that is so
unique to the person that it will allow for identification, including diagnosis,
race/ethnicity, or gender. If diagnosis, race/ethnicity, gender is directly related to the
case presentation it can be included if it will not allow for identification.

COURSE OUTLINE

Class I: History of Psychodrama and J.L Moreno

Content Covered:

• Overview of the course

• Brief history of psychodrama
• Triadic System: psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy
• 5 elements of psychodrama

Required Readings:

Blatner: Chapters 1, 2,

Dayton: Chapter 1, 2,

Konopik, D.A. & Cheung, M. (2013). Psychodrama as a Social Work Modality. Journal
Social Work, 58(1): 9-20.

Gershoni, J. (2009). Bringing Psychodrama to the Main Stage in Group Psychotherapy.

Group 33(4): 297-308

Class 2: Theoretical Elements in Psychodrama

Content Covered:

• Doubling
• Moreno’s theory of personality

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

4
Required Readings:

Blatner: Chapters 3, 4

Dayton: Chapter 3

Kipper, D. & Ritchie, T. (2003). The effectiveness of Psychodrama techniques: A

meta-analysis. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice, 7(1), 13-25.

Class 3: Theoretical Elements in Psychodrama Continued

Content Covered:

• Role reversal & auxiliary training

• Empty chair

Required Readings:

Blatner: Chapters 7,

Dayton: Chapter 4

Class 4: Sociometry & Warm-Ups

Content Covered:

• Spectrogram
• Logogram
• Circle step-in
• Action sociogram
• Tele

Required Readings:

Dayton: Chapters 6, 8

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

5
Moreno, J. L. (1940). Mental catharsis and the psychodrama. Sociometry, 3(1), 220-
238.
Class 5: Social Atom

Content Covered

• Utilzing the social atom to facilitate warm-up, action, & sharing

Required Readings:

Dayton: Chapter 7

Buchanan, D. R. (1984). Moreno’s social atom: A diagnostic tool for exploring

interpersonal relationships. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 27, 173-183.
Moreno, Z. T. (1987). Psychodrama, role theory and the concept of the social atom. J.
Zeig (Ed.). The evolution of psychotherapy (pp.341-358). New
York:Brunner/Mazel.

Class 6: Introduction to Psychodramatic Roles

Content Covered:

• The process of role development

• Role charts
• The warm-up couch

Required Readings:

Blatner: Chapters 12, 16, 17

Dayton: Chapter 11

Class 7: Philosophy of Spontaneity & Creativity

Content Covered:

• Canon of creativity

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

6
Required Readings:

Blatner: Chapters 7,8

Dayton: Chapter 5

Class 8: Surplus Reality

Content Covered:

• The magic shop

Required Readings:

Blatner: Chapter 9

Barbour, A. (1992). Purpose and strategy behind the magic shop. Journal of Group
Psychotherapy, Psychodrama & Sociometry, 45(3), 91-101.

Kellermann, P.F. (1984). The Place of Catharsis in Psychodrama. Journal of Group

Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, and Sociometry, 37(1): 1-13.

Moreno, J.L. (1965). Therapeutic Vehicles and the Concept of Surplus Reality. Group
Psychotherapy 18: 211-216

Class 9: Psychodrama & Group Work

Content Covered:

• Therapeutic factors
• Mutual aid
• Stages of group development

Required Readings:

Drumm, K. (2006). The essential power of group work. Social Work with Groups, 29(2/3), 17-
31.

Kurland, R. (2008). Debunking the “blood theory” of social work with groups: Group
workers are made and not born. Social Work with Groups 30(1), 11-24

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

7
Kurland, R., & Salmon, R. (2006) Purpose: A misunderstood and misused keystone of
group work practice. Social Work with Groups, 29(2/3), 105- 120.

Papell, C. (2015). More than 60 years with social group work: Personal and professional
history. Social Work with Groups,38(3-4), 201-219

Rossi-Berman, T. (1993). The tasks and skills of the social worker across stages of
group. development. Social Work with Groups, 16(1/2), 69-81

Skolnik, S. (2018). A synergistic union: Group work meets psychodrama.

Social Work with Groups, 41 (1-2). 60-73.
Steinberg, M. (2010). Mutual aid: A contribution to best-practice social work. Social Work with
Groups, 33(1), 53-68

Class 10: The Hollander Curve

Content Covered:

• Theory and Practice of the Hollander Curve as experienced in a traditional

Psychodrama

Required Readings:

Blatner: Chapters 20, 21

Dayton: Chapters: 13, 14

Class 11: Psychodrama Debriefing

Contents Covered:

• Understanding the triadic system

• Recognizing the sociometric connections

Required Readings:

Dayton: Chapters 17, 24

Class 12: Termination Through Action

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

8
 Bibliography

Abels, P. (2013). History of the Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups: Partial
View. Social Work with Groups 36(2-3): 259-269
Akinsola, E. F., & Udoka, P. A. (2013). Parental influence on social anxiety in children
and adolescents: Its assessment and management using psychodrama.
Psychology, 4(3A), 246-253.
Andrews, J. (2001). Group Work’s Place in Social Work: A Historical Analysis. Journal of
Sociology and Social Welfare 28(4): 45-65,
Baim, C. (2007). Integrating Psychodrama with Attachment Theory: Implications for
Practice. In P. Holmes, M. Farrall, & K. Kirk (Eds.), Empowering Therapeutic
Practice: Integrating Psychodrama into other Therapies (pp. 125-156). London:
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Berger, M. (1990). J. L. Moreno’s autobiography: More than meets the eye. Journal of
Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 42(4), 213-221.
Birnbaum, M. L., & Wayne, J. (2000). Group work in foundation generalist education:
The necessity for curriculum change. Journal of Social Work Education, 36(2),
347–356.
Bitel, M.C. (2000). Mixing Up the Goulash: Essential Ingredients in the “Art” of Social
Group Work. Social Work With Groups, 22:2-3, 77-99
Boria, G. (1989). Conceptual training in psychodrama training. Journal of Group
Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 42(3), 166-172.
Brown, T. M. (2007). Psychoanalysis and Psychodrama. In P. Holmes, M. Farrall, & K.
Kirk (Eds.), Empowering Therapeutic Practice: Integrating Psychodrama into
other Therapies (pp. 227-250). London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Buchanan, D. R. (1980). The central concern model: A framework for structuring
psychodramatic, production. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and
Sociometry, 45, 47-62.
Buchanan, D. R. & Enneis J. M. (1981). Forty-one years of psychodrama at St. Elizabeths
hospital. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 34,
134-146.
Buchanan, D. R. (1984). Moreno’s social atom: A diagnostic tool for exploring
interpersonal relationships. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 27, 173-183.
Buchanan, D.R. (1995). Act hungers and open tension systems: another framework for
structuring psychodramatic production. Unpublished manuscript. 02-32.

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

9
Campernole, T. (1981). J. L. Moreno: An unrecognized pioneer of family therapy. Family
Process, 20, 331-335.
Carlson-Sabelli, L. (1998). Children’s therapeutic puppet theatre; action, interaction,
and co- creation. The International Journal of Action Methods: Psychodrama,
Skill Training and Role Playing, 51, 91-112.
Carlson-Sabelli, L. C., Sabelli, H. C., Patel, M., & Holm, K. (1992). The union of
opposites. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 45,
147-171.
Carnabucci, K. & Ciotola, L. (2013). Healing Eating Disorders with Psychodrama and
Other Action Methods: Beyond the Silence and the Fury. London: Jessica
Kingsley Publishers
Carswell, M. A., & Magraw, K. (2003). The body talks: Using psychodrama and
metaphor to connect mind and body. In J. Gershoni (Ed.) Psychodrama in the
21st century, Clinical and educational applications (pp. 63-80). New York:
Springer.
Ciotolla, L. (2006).Brief report: The body dialogue: An action intervention to build body
empathy. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama & Sociometry 59(1),
35-38.
Corsini, R. J. (1955). Historic background of group psychotherapy: A critique. Journal of
Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 8, 219-225.
Cossa, M. (2003). Taming puberty: Utilizing psychodrama, sociodrama, and sociometry
with adolescent groups. In J. Gershoni (Ed.), Psychodrama in the 21st century.
(pp. 135-150). New York: Springer.
Dayton, T. (2003). Psychodrama and the treatment of addiction and trauma in women.
In J. Gershoni (Ed.), Psychodrama in the 21st century. (pp. 175-196). New York:
Springer. Dayton, T.B. (2005).The living stage. Deerfield Beach, FL.: Health
Communications.
Farmer, C., & Geller, M. (2003). Applying Psychodrama in the family systems’ therapy
of Bowen. In J. Gershoni (Ed.), Psychodrama in the 21st century. (pp. 31-47).
New York: Springer.
Fuhriman, A., & Burlingame, G. M. (Eds.). (1994). Group psychotherapy: An empirical
and clinical synthesis. New York: Wiley.

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

10
Gershoni, J. (2003). The use of structural family therapy and psychodrama: A new
model for a children’s group. In J. Gershoni (Ed.), Psychodrama in the 21st
century (pp. 49-61). New York: Springer.
Gershoni, J. (2003). Toward acceptance and pride: Psychodrama, sociometry and the
LGBT community. In J. Gershoni (Ed.), Psychodrama in the 21st century. (pp.
197-214). New York: Springer.
Giacomucci, S. (2017). The Sociodrama of Life or Death: Young Adults and Addiction
Treatment. Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy
65(1): 137-143
Gitterman, A. & Shulman, L. (2005). Mutual aid groups, vulnerable and resilient
populations, and the life cycle, (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Columbia University
Press.
Gow, K., Lowe, R., & McVea, C. S. (2011). Corrective interpersonal experience in
psychodrama group therapy: A comprehensive process analysis of significant
therapeutic events. Psychotherapy Research, 21(4), 416-429.
Hale, A. (1985). Conducting clinical sociometric explorations: A manual for
psychodramatists and sociometrists. Roanoke, Virginia: Royal Publishing.
Holmes, P. & Karp, M. (1991). Psychodrama inspiration and technique. London:
Tavistock/Routledge.
Hudgins, M. K. (2002). Experiential treatment for PTSD: The therapeutic spiral model.
New York: Springer.
Hudgins, M. K., & Druker, K. (1998). The containing double as part of the therapeutic
spiral model for treating trauma survivors. The International Journal of Action
Methods: Psychodrama, Skill Training and Role Playing, 51, 63-74.
Hudgins, M. K., & Kipper, D. A. (1998). Action methods in the treatment of trauma
survivors. The International Journal of Action Methods: Psychodrama, Skill
Training and Role Playing, 51, 43-46.
Hug, E. (2007). A Neuroscience perspective on psychodrama. In C. Baim, J. Burmeister,
& M. Maciel (Eds.), Psychodrama: Advances in Theory and Practice. London:
Routledge.
Indagator, Y. & Chung, S. (2014). A Review of Psychodrama and Group Process.
International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice 1(2), 105-114.
Jones, P. (1996). Drama as Therapy: Theatre as Living. New York: Routledge.
Kellerman, P. F. (1992). Focus on psychodrama. London: Jessica Kingsley.

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

11
Kellermann, P.K. & Hudgins, M.K. (Eds.), (2000). Psychodrama with trauma survivors:
Acting out your pain. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Kipper, D. & Ritchie, T. (2003). The effectiveness of Psychodrama techniques: A meta-
analysis. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice, 7(1), 13-25.
Leutz, G. (1977). The integrative force of psychodrama in present day psychotherapy.
Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 30, 163-172.
Moreno, J.D. (2014). Impromptu Man: J.L. Moreno and the Origins of Psychodrama,
Encounter Culture, and the Social Network. New York, NY: Bellevue Literary
Press.
Moreno, J. L. (1934). Who shall survive? A new approach to the problem of human
interrelations. Washington, DC: Nervous and Mental Disease Publishing.
Moreno, J. L. (1937). Interpersonal therapy and the psychopathology of interpersonal
relations, Sociometry, 1(1) 9-76.
Moreno, J. L. (1940). Mental catharsis and the psychodrama. Sociometry, 3(1), 220-238
Moreno, J. L. (1951). Sociometry, experimental methods and the science of society.
New York: Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L. (1956). Philosophy of the third psychiatric revolution, with special
emphasis on group psychotherapy and psychodrama. Progress of
Psychotherapy, 1, 24-53.
Moreno, J. L. (1957). The first book on group psychotherapy, 1932. Beacon, New York:
Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L. (1959). Psychodrama, Vol. 2. New York: Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L. & Moreno, Z. T. (1969). Psychodrama, Vol. 3. New York: Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L. (1971). Words of the Father. New York: Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L. (1975). Psychodrama, action therapy and principles of practice, third
volume. New York: Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L. (1993). Who shall survive? (student ed.). Roanoke, VA: Royal Publishing.
Moreno, J. L. & Whitin, E. S. (1932). Applications of the group method to classification.
National Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor.
Moreno, J. L. & Jennings, H. H. (1938). Statistics of social configurations. Sociometry, 1
(3-4), 342-374.

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

12
Moreno, J. L. & Moreno, Z. T. (1959). Psychodrama, foundations of psychotherapy, Vol.
2. New York: Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L., Moreno, Z. T., & Moreno, J. (1964). The first psychodrama family.
Ambler, PA: Beacon House.
Moreno, J. L. & Moreno, Z.T. (1969). Psychodrama (Vol. 3). Beacon, NY: Beacon House.
Moreno, Z. T. (1959). A survey of psychodramatic techniques. Group Psychotherapy,
12, 5 14.
Moreno, Z. T. (1965). Psychodramatic, rules, techniques and adjunctive methods.
Group Psychotherapy, 18, 73-86.
Moreno, Z. T. (1978). Psychodrama. H. Mullans & M. Rosenblaum (Eds.). Group
psychotherapy (2nd ed.) (pp. 352-376). New York: Free Press.
Moreno, Z. T. (1983). Psychodrama. H. I. Kaplan & B.J. Sadock (Eds.) Comprehensive
group psychotherapy (2nd ed.) (pp. 158-166). Baltimore, MD: Williams &
Wilkins.
Moreno, Z. T. (1987). Psychodrama, role theory and the concept of the social atom. J.
Zeig (Ed.). The evolution of psychotherapy (pp.341-358). New York:
Brunner/Mazel. (pp. 341-343). San Francisco: Jossey –Bass.
Moreno, Z. T., Blomquist, L. D., & Rutzel, T. (2000). Psychodrama, surplus reality, and
the art of healing. New York: Routledge.
Naar, R., Dorenian-Michael, C., & Santhouse, R. (1998). Short term psychodrama with
victims of sexual abuse. The International Journal of Action Methods:
Psychodrama, Skill Training and Role Playing, 51, 75-82.
Rawlinson, J. W. (2000). Does psychodrama work? British Journal of Psychodrama and
Sociometry. 15, 67-101.
Ridge, R.M. (2010). A Literature Review of Psychodrama. Journal of Group
Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, and Sociometry. Originally published in Ridge,
R.M. (2007) The Body Alchemy of Psychodrama: A Phenomenologically-Based
Qualitative Evaluation of a Training Manual for Trainers and Practitioners of
Psychodrama and Group Psychotherapy. Union Institute and University,
ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Retrieved from:
http://asgpp.org/pdf/Ridge%20Journal.pdf
Romance, J. (2003). It takes two: Psychodramatic techniques with straight and gay
couples. In J. Gershoni (Ed.), Psychodrama in the 21st century. (pp. 215-228).
New York: Springer.
C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx
13
Sternberg, P., & Garcia, A. (2000). Sociodrama, who’s in your shoes? (2nd ed.).
Westport, CT: Praeger.
Thomas, E. J. & Biddle, B. J. (Eds.). (1966). Role theory: Concepts and research. New
York: John Wiley & Sons.
Torres, A. R. (2004). Some remarks on psychodrama research. Retrieved December 9,
2004, from http://members.tripod.com/~portaroma/psychodrama.html.
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th
ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

14
 .

C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx

15
C:\Users\Jeff Coyle\Dropbox\SYLLABI\SUMMER 2020 SYLLABI\PsychodramaSummer2020.docx
16