Thanks to all Constellation Talk-ers who have added to the discussion of the
interrelationship between psychodrama and Constellation as well as those who
e-mailed me personally with various links, thoughts, comments and questions.
One thing that I have learned as I've begun training and practicing in
Constellation Work is that many people who are heavily into Constellation
Work have hardly heard of psychodrama - if at all. There are often
misconceptions and misinformation floating around, and I've sometimes been
saddened to hear some of what appears to be a diminishment of the method of
psychodrama which is indeed the ancestor of the experiential mind-body
therapies today.
Although there is growing interest in the psychodrama field about
Constellation Work, I've observed that some psychodramatists clearly want to
swing into acting mode when they are placed rather than feeling into the
space. They, I believe, could benefit from information about what is alike
and what is different in the two methods; these are key points that I and
Ron attempt to communicate when I am presenting at the psychodrama
conferences.
I started with experiential psychotherapy and psychodrama in 1989 and then
trained closely with Zerka Moreno, Dr. Moreno's widow and collaborator, from
1991-1997, and appreciating the gifts of other U.S. and international
trainers of psychodrama. I became acquainted in Constellation Work in 2001
and later have been involved in my own learning, training mostly with Heinz
Stark, which still continues today. I love both methods and see
similarities, parallels, differences and evolve-ments within both.
I consider psychodrama - a term that Moreno devised as a counter to
psychoanalysis, a word and method which he did not like -- to be an ancestor
of Constellation Work as well as a method that still stands on its own.
I should also say that those of us who have delved deeply into psychodrama
as a practice and study know that it is more than mere role playing but
rather an umbrella term that covers practices of sociometry (a word that
Moreno used relating to the systemic observations, connections and testing),
group process, energy recognition and energy generation, social issues (when
it is called sociodrama) and philosophy which included a spiritual component
which Moreno called "The Godhead." And more.
Very early films of Dr. Moreno's work seem archaic to me and some of what
Ursula Franke refers to in her wonderful book, "The River Never Looks Back,"
refers to classic psychodrama practices. The field is quite active and there
have been many innovations in recent years. A few psychodramatists like Kate
Hudgins, Rebecca Ridge, Susan Aaron and others are integrating Asian
philosophy, body work, breath work and much more into the method. I use
quite a mix of things myself, and there are others, too.
Zerka - who is now in her early 90s-- has often spoken informally in her
training classes about the "knowing" that she experienced when standing on
the psychodrama stage and working with groups. We're corresponding right now
by e-mail and I hope to learn more specifically about how she and Dr. Moreno
viewed this. She has told me that what Constellators call the "field" she
thinks of as a "sphere." She has already shared some very interesting
information about Virginia Satir's relationship to Moreno's ideas which I
hope to include in an article I am writing.
I have experienced the "knowing" in psychodrama practice as well. One vivid
example: years ago I was doubling (a psychodramatic technique) for a woman
during a drama and suddenly felt incredible pain in my abdomen. It was so
strong that I wondered if I'd gotten food poisoning from the previous lunch.
Then the woman revealed that she had a bout with ovarian cancer. The pain
disappeared.
So - once again, thank you for all your questions and comments. Feel free to
correspond. I will let all perk and brew and ultimately use to integrate
into our book in some way. But now I must get to writing.!
Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP
Lake House Health & Learning Center
932 Lake Ave.
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 633-2645
karenc@xxxxxxxxx
Web: http://www.lakehousecenter.com
Wellness blog: http://lakehouseracine.blogspot.com
Coaching blog: http://wholepersonmarketing.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lakehousecenter
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karencarnabucci
_____
From: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Thomas Bryson
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 9:30 AM
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ConstellationTalk] Constellation & psychodrama
Ed and all,
Wonderful post Ed. I love the quote, "If you are eclectic theoretically
you may produce eclectic clients, if you're discriminating you may
produce a more discriminating
client."
Perhaps the more our theory and practice successfully integrates
different disciplines, the more we will find ourselves and our clients
to be whole.
Thomas Bryson
ed lynch wrote:
Hi Meera, Karen, and all,
Meera you have an interesting psychodrama background. And I am sure
you will
find that the family constellation work will be an additional pleasure.
Protecting the integrity and fullness of the methods and theories of each
person's approach, for example, Jung, Adler, Ferenczi, Minuchin, Perls and
many others while also using them creatively as a springboard to the 'new'
is very tricky. I honor the career ancestors. I remember Isadore From
telling me. "If you are eclectic theoretically you may produce eclectic
clients, if you're discriminating you may produce a more discriminating
client." So Family Constellations and psychodrama may work together in
creative ways-may not be oil and vinegar.
Dr. Chris, thanks for these CTalk opportunities, and to all those
contributing to our knowledge, I am grateful.
Ed
