research

[Peter Howie]

Hi Adam,

Some quick responses.

On 23/03/2010, at 9:09 AM, Adam Blatner wrote:

> a friend asked me the following questions:
>
> Q  I am seeking your opinions about Psychodrama research, i.e. not  
> enough, too much, which way it should move, whether to abandon it  
> altogether, or maybe a total reframe?
> A This is a puzzling question, as research is not my strength.  
> Certainly, the field needs more if it to substantiate its claim as  
> being therapeutic. The key question asked by science is "...but is  
> it so?"
>
>  The problem is that classical psychodrama is rarely practiced over  
> any length of time:
>      1. in hospitals and clinics, the turn-over is high. There are  
> always new people and people leaving, which disturbes the telic net  
> (the sociometry, as it's called colloquially)
>      Many patients don't get much preparation or follow-up, and  
> often the hospital staff isn't warmed up to this role. Indeed, often  
> they treat psychodrama as a treatment in itself, like a sun bath--- 
> no follow up or processing needed.

I consider that this puts it in the brief therapy category with which  
it fits pretty well a lot of the time.

>   2. Outpatient groups are unstable and the cost of a psychodrama  
> group that goes for enough time to get a real warm-up going and then  
> to the end---at least 2 maybe 3 hours---  and if there is payment  
> for any trained auxiliaries or co-therapists---well, it becomes un- 
> economic.
>
>   (I am asking folks from grouptalk to weigh in on this, how much  
> it's true, how much I'm mistaken.)

Well this is an interesting one. I believe that it is more economic  
for both clients and clinics to run group programs. Clients pay me  
roughly $15 per hour (plus or minus a dollar or two depending on  
venue, food or other costs) which compared to $100 plus dollars per  
hour for psychologists and $60 plus dollars for counsellors - this is  
rather good value. Mind you this is for people who pay for themselves.  
However a group with say 10 clients has to be better economically than  
running 10 sessions from many points of view.


> Q  What areas of Psychodrama would you most like to see researched?
>    ab: would you include outlying methods such as sociometry,  
> sociodrama, role training, etc.
>          and with different non-psychiatric populations?  for  
> personal growth, education, etc.?
>                  I'm not warmed up to an opinion yet.

One thing that is probably not worth researching is whether it works  
or not. That is a bit like researching group work or counselling. It  
all appears to work to a degree and what makes the difference between  
methodologies has little or nothing to do with factors under the  
control or influence of the therapist.


>
>  Q  What direction do you want further studies in Psychodrama to take?
>               ab: 1. integrating psychodramatic techniques with  
> other approaches in group and individual therapy
>                     2. Use of an adjunctive psychodrama 1 or 2 day  
> workshop every 6 or so weeks and its effects on therapy.
>                   Other combinations of some psychodrama and some  
> talk therapy.
>
>                  Awaiting more input for other responses. Warmly, Adam

There are some seminal psychodramatic ideas or lets say Morenian ideas  
that cold be researched as they can be applied in numerous ways apart  
from therapy - for instance the concept of warm up at the individual  
level.

>> Do you have any specific topics in mind?
>>
>> Hope all is well,
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Terry
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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>

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