The Theory and Practice of Psychodrama

A Week-Long Course at Kansas State University

Offered through the Drama Therapy Program  
Open to the Public

WHERE: Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas 

INFORMATION and REGISTRATION: Sally Bailey sdbailey@ksu.edu

DATES & HOURS: Monday May 19 - Friday May 23, 2025;

9:30 am – 5:30 pm; plus Friday 7 – 10 pm 

Inquire re: THTRE 784 Psychodrama

This course is open to graduate and undergraduate students and to the public. 

Arrangements for housing available. Please inquire. 

Instructor: Sylvia Israel, LMFT, RDT/BCT, TEP

Course Description: This course presents a specialized and advanced approach to psychotherapy: the use of role-play drawn from the history, theory/philosophy, and practice of Psychodrama. Areas covered will include: Morenian role theory, spontaneity-creativity theory, sociometry, and psychodrama as a therapeutic tool with individuals and groups. The efficacy of various warm-ups and techniques with different populations will be discussed. Through psychodrama skills practice, students will learn the rudiments of psychodramatic assessment, contracting, and intervention. Students will have the opportunity to learn about and experience the roles of group member, auxiliary ego, protagonist, and director.  

Educational Goal: This course will offer an experiential and cognitive overview of psychodrama as developed by J.L. Moreno and Zerka Toeman Moreno. The class will provide students with an introduction to the fundamentals of role theory, sociometry, and the primary techniques of enactment. We will discuss and practice the application of psychodramatic methods in group therapy and other treatment contexts. 

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students will be able to: 

1. Conduct Sociometric explorations. 
2. Describe the philosophy and methods of Psychodrama as developed by J.L. Moreno and Zerka Toeman Moreno. 
3. Utilize contracting, scene setting, doubling, and role reversal.
4. Direct the warm-up phase of a psychodrama, an action vignette, and sharing.
5. Describe the ethical dimensions of psychodrama practice with different populations.
6. Integrate awareness of cultural diversity when using psychodramatic principles.
7. Create the role of an auxiliary.