Recollection s The Drama within the mind Teal

  • Slides: 30
Download presentation
Recollection s: The Drama within the mind Teal Maedel and Jim Bitter

Recollection s: The Drama within the mind Teal Maedel and Jim Bitter

Overview • Using early recollections • Theory and process of psychodrama • Demonstration and

Overview • Using early recollections • Theory and process of psychodrama • Demonstration and debriefing

Psychodramatic Expression • Seeing and experiencing the event or memory in the present •

Psychodramatic Expression • Seeing and experiencing the event or memory in the present • Vehicle for awareness and resolution • Movement from reminder to rehearsal • “All the world is a stage; and all men and women merely players. ” W. M. Shakespeare ; As You like it

Early Recollections • Memories from our childhood • Markers of our “self” • Reminders

Early Recollections • Memories from our childhood • Markers of our “self” • Reminders of our positions on self, others, life, and the world • Convictions about the present

Early Recollections • Purposive- we select a memory, an action, the memory is retained

Early Recollections • Purposive- we select a memory, an action, the memory is retained for a purpose • Useful- recalled, remembered, and useful • Direction- how will I approach life

Of their many uses. . . • We are interested in early recollections because

Of their many uses. . . • We are interested in early recollections because they give us clues about the current stance of the individual. • Early recollections provide clues about resiliency or psychological tolerance. Look for strengths and assets. • Early recollections will contain an individual’s basic life style convictions.

Characteristics of Early Recollections • Age specific- before the age of 10 • One

Characteristics of Early Recollections • Age specific- before the age of 10 • One time only event • Vividly recalled, specific, can be visualized • A ‘beginning’ and an ‘end’ • “Stand alone” quality

Re-membering: Becoming Conscious • What is expressed; not what is repressed

Re-membering: Becoming Conscious • What is expressed; not what is repressed

The process is important • ERs are collected verbatim ( word for word) •

The process is important • ERs are collected verbatim ( word for word) • Ideally 5 -7 are collected in order to look for patterns/theme • “The details which the patient remembers are of utmost importance. Without them the recollection may be utterly insignificant, or it’s significance may be completely distorted. ” Dreikurs (1967)

Collecting an early memory • “Think back as far as you can, and when

Collecting an early memory • “Think back as far as you can, and when you think back what can you remember? What story pops up for you, something about which you can say, ‘I remember this one time…’”, • Collect verbatim as the story is retold • Ask for the most significant moment, “what part stands out for you? ’ • Ask the person how they were feeling and why.

Strengths and assets • Movement towards the world of others • Social interest (The

Strengths and assets • Movement towards the world of others • Social interest (The Seven C’s) • • Cooperation Connection and affiliation Caring Compassion Courage Confidence in belonging Contributions to others Source: Betty Lou Bettner and Amy Lew

Strengths and assets • Ability to problem solve • Vocational strengths • Creativity •

Strengths and assets • Ability to problem solve • Vocational strengths • Creativity • Resiliency • Tolerance • Humour • Affinity for animals, nature

Strengths and Assets • Optimism • Approach to life (the ability to cope) •

Strengths and Assets • Optimism • Approach to life (the ability to cope) • Ability to observe and learn • Resolve, tenacity, perseverance

Interfering Beliefs • From early childhood memories, we can also look for ideas each

Interfering Beliefs • From early childhood memories, we can also look for ideas each person has formulated, based on their unique private logic. • Each person has a rationale for maintaining these beliefs even when the ideas are interfering with the tasks of life.

Basic mistakes…. Mosak • Overgeneralizations • False or impossible goals of security • Misperception

Basic mistakes…. Mosak • Overgeneralizations • False or impossible goals of security • Misperception of life and its demands • Minimization or denial of one’s worth • Faulty values

Shulman…distorted ideas • Distorted attitudes about the self • Distorted attitudes about the world

Shulman…distorted ideas • Distorted attitudes about the self • Distorted attitudes about the world and people • Distorted goals • Distorted methods of operation • Distorted ideals • Distorted conclusions

USING ER’S IN THERAPY • Look for changes in ER’s • Ask to describe

USING ER’S IN THERAPY • Look for changes in ER’s • Ask to describe the memory the way you would like it to be • If you had the magic power to change the memory? • Dreams

Psychodrama • Developed by Psychiatrist Jacob Moreno (1889 -1974) • Theatre of spontaneity in

Psychodrama • Developed by Psychiatrist Jacob Moreno (1889 -1974) • Theatre of spontaneity in Vienna in the 1920’s • Roots in improvisational theatre • Adaline Starr (1909 -2001) Adlerian Pioneer and expert in the field

Psychodrama • Experiential learning- through doing versus talking • Non cognitive learning- emotions, intuition,

Psychodrama • Experiential learning- through doing versus talking • Non cognitive learning- emotions, intuition, body processing • Social network, safe environment to process unfinished business, gain insight or master a life event • Creative process opportunity to grow

Re-Membering: Bringing the members of ones life into the present • Memories contain the

Re-Membering: Bringing the members of ones life into the present • Memories contain the people, contexts, and significant meanings that guide our lives. • A psychodramatic rendering of our memories makes them three dimensional and provides a vehicle for interaction that otherwise might be missing or lost to the individual. • When the members of our lives become fully present, the possibilities for healing and change are expanded.

Preparation and Awareness • The therapist must bring his or her full self to

Preparation and Awareness • The therapist must bring his or her full self to the process. • Know yourself, your lifestyle, issues from your past, your limitations. Transference/countertransference WILL happen • Transference and counter-transference also happens with the participants. • It is important to take the time to de-role, process the experience, and provide closure

Participants • Director (s) • Protagonist (client) • Auxillaries (role players) • Support (others

Participants • Director (s) • Protagonist (client) • Auxillaries (role players) • Support (others present) • Props

Warm ups • Used to encourage the groups creativity and spontaniety • Ice breakers

Warm ups • Used to encourage the groups creativity and spontaniety • Ice breakers • Music • Movement

Stages • Set up the group in a wide circle • Talk to the

Stages • Set up the group in a wide circle • Talk to the client about a current life issue • Collect an early recollection • Walk around the circle and have the client talk about themselves at that age • Ask the client to choose people to play the roles

Stages • Walk around the circle and have the client talk about the person

Stages • Walk around the circle and have the client talk about the person who is being role played with the role players • Place the role player in the scene and repeat with other people from the memory • Act out the memory as per the client’s direction • Ask the client what they are feeling, go to the body, awareness

Stages • Would you like it to be different? How? • Act that scenario

Stages • Would you like it to be different? How? • Act that scenario and check with client • De-role • Take the client around the circle and ask the participants to identify strengths.

Examples • Family constellation choosing members to role play or sculpture (Satir) • Double

Examples • Family constellation choosing members to role play or sculpture (Satir) • Double to the person who is the client and make aware thoughts, feelings of the client • Mirroring- step out of the scene and watch another person role play • Preparation for a future event

Examples • Role reversal- client takes the role of the other person • Soliloquy-

Examples • Role reversal- client takes the role of the other person • Soliloquy- client speaks their thoughts and feelings • Unfinished business , for example speaking to someone who has died, a partner after a divorce/ separations, an abuser

Benefits • Imagination • Creativity • Flexibility • Solution focused • Action and movement

Benefits • Imagination • Creativity • Flexibility • Solution focused • Action and movement oriented • Social orientation

References • Adler, A. (1931). What life should mean to you. New York, NY:

References • Adler, A. (1931). What life should mean to you. New York, NY: Gossett and Dunlap. • Bettner, Betty Lou (2014). The six esssential pieces of the parenting puzzle. Media, PA; Bettner publications • Blatner, A. (1996). Acting in: Practical applications of psychodramatic methods. New York, NY: Springer • Blatner, A. , & Blatner, A. (2006) Foundations of Psychodrama (4 th ed. ). New York, NY: Springer. • Moreno, J. L. (1972). Psychodrama, First volume (4 th ed. ). Beacon, New York: Beacon House. • Satir, V. (2009). Your many faces: The first step to being loved. New York, NY: Celestial Arts. • Shoobs, N. E. (1956). Individual Psychology and Psychodrama. Journal of individual Psychology, 12, 4652. • Starr, A. (1977). Psychodrama: Rehearsal for living. Chicago: Nelson Hall