Moreno's sociometry: a wake up call

[jen kristel]

Thank you Ann! This is so important to think about. I say yes to linking ourselves to those who are interested. The time really is NOW to respond. And as you say, wee have the potential of a very willing partner in the Obama administration.
Cheers
Jen


Jen Kristel, M.A.,CPT CET
Expressive Arts Therapist

Reiki Teacher/Master
Playback Theatre Director/teacher

Live Simply, so that others may simply live" 








From: annehale at swva.net
To: list at grouptalkweb.org
Subject: Moreno's sociometry: a wake up call
Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:21:29 -0400
CC: act1sm at aol.com; Karendruck at aol.com; abepsychodrama at yahoo.com










On June 20, 2009 the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, 
reported the U.S. is committed to helping the world's 34 million 
refugees (my italics) build safe and fulfilling lives, calling their 
struggle a "humanitarian emergency."  (Associated Press, June 20, 2009, 
09:19am EDT) What Clinton is describing is the need for a qualitative and a 
quantitative response. What is needed are methods with deeply humanitarian 
belief systems capable of examining and resolving a crisis of this magnitude, 
and capable of assisting one person at a time find "Where do I fit on this 
planet? and "Will I be able to practice my religion, support my family, feel 
safe and connected when I arrive?"  (If you will remember Moreno got his 
start resettling refugees in Mitterndorf in 1915-1917. It is here he discovered 
the connection between preference and lessening of conflict.)
 
At a time when psychodramatists in the US are complaining about decreasing 
interest, enrollment and membership, etc. the need for our methods is 
escalating.  For years it has been documented that the sociometry section 
of the American Board exams has the highest borderline and failing grades.  
Students don't seem to know more than how to do "step into the circle if you 
like pizza"  or "put you hand on someone who appears to be similar to you 
in some way".  There is a huge methodology awaiting our membership and 
trainees, and a huge need.  Learning to use sociometric methods is not a 
comfortable learning. You have to face your personal deficits, your value 
system, your needs, and what rejection feels like, when receiving it, or giving 
it.  The payoff is the restoration of hope and the managability of complex, 
intersecting lives.
 
No, psychodrama, is disappearing from texts and journals. Whole books such 
as the popular "Social Intelligence (Goleman) can appear without one reference 
to Moreno.  It is past time that we examine ourselves for choosing to 
retreat to the safety of private practice and align ourselves with mental health 
when we could have been preparing large numbers of students to intervene and 
strategize and resolve some of the sociodynamics which lead to devestating 
social and political problems. I am not just pointing fingers. I know 
myself to be underutilized and not involved to the level of my capability.
 
Playback Theater has risen to the challenge, and a scattering of 
psychodramatists are looking at the big picture.  I am grateful for every 
one of you who takes the method to points of crisis.  If we want our 
methods to be more available to those who need them we need to make sociometry 
more available on a global scale.
 
The Obama administration opened the Office of Public Engagement in 
February, 2009.  Their Core Priniciples (7) are listed on the website of 
the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation.  If you want to you 
can go to www.sociometry.net and get 
linked to this.  Our current government is open to our methodology.  
Let's respond!
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