Papers by Scott Giacomucci
Social Work With Groups, Feb 8, 2021
ABSTRACT The philosophy and methods of Jacob Moreno’s sociatry offer social workers valuable tool... more ABSTRACT The philosophy and methods of Jacob Moreno’s sociatry offer social workers valuable tools for upholding the core values of the social work profession. Moreno’s philosophy promotes mysticism and social justice while affirming the dignity and worth of each human being. Although Moreno’s methods, including sociometry, psychodrama, and group therapy, emerged from his existential philosophy, they have become largely dissociated from each other. Moreno likened this disconnection to removing a child from its parents. The schism between his philosophy and methods is prominent not only in the social work field but also in the psychodrama community itself. This paper aims to contribute to the reunification of the body of Moreno’s work while demonstrating its relevance to social group work. The methods of sociatry are inherently strengths-based and humanistic approaches which align with the nondeliberative social work tradition and offer a bridge between clinical and macro practice. These versatile action-based methods are uniquely positioned to support anti-oppressive work with individuals, groups, and communities.
Routledge eBooks, Feb 22, 2023
Social Work with Groups, 2021
ABSTRACT The philosophy and methods of Jacob Moreno’s sociatry offer social workers valuable tool... more ABSTRACT The philosophy and methods of Jacob Moreno’s sociatry offer social workers valuable tools for upholding the core values of the social work profession. Moreno’s philosophy promotes mysticism and social justice while affirming the dignity and worth of each human being. Although Moreno’s methods, including sociometry, psychodrama, and group therapy, emerged from his existential philosophy, they have become largely dissociated from each other. Moreno likened this disconnection to removing a child from its parents. The schism between his philosophy and methods is prominent not only in the social work field but also in the psychodrama community itself. This paper aims to contribute to the reunification of the body of Moreno’s work while demonstrating its relevance to social group work. The methods of sociatry are inherently strengths-based and humanistic approaches which align with the nondeliberative social work tradition and offer a bridge between clinical and macro practice. These versatile action-based methods are uniquely positioned to support anti-oppressive work with individuals, groups, and communities.
Group, Sep 1, 2021
Abstract:Sociometry and psychodrama have been marginalized in American group therapy practice whi... more Abstract:Sociometry and psychodrama have been marginalized in American group therapy practice while remaining popular in international contexts. This article offers an introduction to Moreno's triadic system: sociometry, psychodrama, and group psychotherapy. The warming-up process will be highlighted by depicting two experiential, strength-based group warm-up exercises: the role wheel and the circle of strengths. Considerations for safe and effective experiential trauma therapy will be presented, based on trauma theory and neurobiology research. A strength-based psychodrama is presented, featuring a clinical vignette from a group focused on addiction and trauma. Strength-based psychodrama roles will be highlighted and presented for their utility in inpatient psychodrama work. Relevance for group therapists will be featured, illustrating how psychodrama can uniquely enhance the group therapy practice.
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
This chapter will highlight the use of role-playing, especially sociodrama and role training in c... more This chapter will highlight the use of role-playing, especially sociodrama and role training in community empowerment and social activist movements. Historical context will be provided for the traditions of using drama, theater, and role-play in social work and social activism including Jacob Moreno's vision of the theater as a modality for societal change. The sociodramatic approach will be outlined with focus on its utility in community settings as an experiential and communal experience of social action. Multiple examples of sociodrama or role training in communities are depicted with an emphasis on its adaptability for different settings and its effectiveness at empowering people. Examples include its application with youth, law enforcement, intergenerational dialogues, domestic violence response teams, undocumented immigrant communities, social work students, and to empower advocacy with employers, insurance providers, funders, or policy makers. Keywords Sociodrama • Social activism • Role training • Community empowerment • Social justice The use of art is foundational in nearly every social movement. As such, sociodrama, a spontaneous and creative arts approach, is a fitting modality for community work related to social movements. The etymology of the word psychodrama conveys the meaning of "psyche in action", on the other hand, the term sociodrama suggests a meaning of "social in action" or "social action". Considering an etymological lens, the terms social movement, social activism, and social action all suggest a fundamental emphasis on creating action or movement within, or of, society or social groups as an end goal. It is more than fitting then that the goal of social action be achieved through the means of sociodrama and action-based group approaches. In this way, the means and the ends, as well as the process and content of community sessions, are synergistically related.
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
This brief conclusion offers a new vision for the integration of Moreno's methods into the social... more This brief conclusion offers a new vision for the integration of Moreno's methods into the social work field. Moreno's triadic system, sociometry, psychodrama, and group psychotherapy, provides social workers with group work skills lacking in most social work curriculums but are essential for competent practice. This chapter is largely written in the form of a psychodramatic process which includes role reversing with a social work leader in the year 2074 at the 100th year anniversary of Jacob Moreno's death. This role reversal into an idealized future provides a reflection on how the social work field could benefit from the full integration of sociometry and psychodrama into its repertoire.
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
The history and principles of trauma-informed practice in social work are presented while differe... more The history and principles of trauma-informed practice in social work are presented while differentiating trauma-informed and trauma-focused practices. The practice of trauma-focused group therapy and trauma-focused psychodrama is outlined while acknowledging the recent calls for increased trauma content in graduate curriculums. Safety, play, and spontaneity are elevated as core elements in psychodrama's effectiveness in working with trauma survivors. Psychodrama's unique capacity for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is presented while outlining two trauma-focused psychodrama models-the Therapeutic Spiral Model and the Relational Trauma Repair Model. Keywords Trauma • Trauma-informed social work • Trauma-focused psychodrama • Therapeutic spiral model • Relationship trauma repair model 7.1 Trauma-Informed Practice It seems that the term trauma-informed is thrown around by programs without much care or recognition of what it means to be trauma-informed. For some, being traumainformed seems to mean that they had their staff attend a single training workshop on trauma, while other agencies identify themselves as trauma-informed only after taking careful consideration in developing their policies, procedures, designing their physical space, training staff, and operationalizing a philosophy that holds traumainformed principles at its core. So, what exactly does trauma-informed mean? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published the following trauma-informed principles (2014a) (see Fig. 7.1): The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC), established by SAMHSA in 2005, indicates that every aspect of an organization should be trauma-informed and: assessed and potentially modified to include a basic understanding of how trauma affects the life of an individual seeking services. Trauma-informed organizations, programs, and services are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities or triggers of trauma survivors that traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate, so that these services and programs can be more supportive and avoid re-traumatization (National Center for Trauma Informed Care, 2012, as cited in Wilson, Pence, & Conradi, 2013).
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
The essentials of psychodrama practice are covered in depth within this chapter. Fourteen core ps... more The essentials of psychodrama practice are covered in depth within this chapter. Fourteen core psychodrama interventions or techniques are described with corresponding depictions of their use within psychodrama group sessions. The psychodrama techniques of doubling, mirroring, and role reversal are presented with their relationship to Moreno's developmental theory. Considerations for the application of psychodrama interventions on teletherapy is also provided. Various types of psychodrama scenes are described with reference to the Psychodramatic Spiral and the Hollander Curve. The processes of closure, de-roling, and sharing at the end of a psychodrama enactment are outlined. Keywords Psychodrama • Doubling • Mirroring • Role reversal • Empty chair Psychodrama is an experiential approach that moves the group process beyond words and into action. A psychodrama is only as good as its warm-up. While many are interested in facilitating or experiencing psychodrama, it would be a mistake to attempt an enactment without any warm-up. After adequate warm-up, the director facilitates the protagonist and topic selection before moving into the psychodrama enactment. The protagonist is interviewed, a scene is set on the stage, roles are identified, and group members are chosen by the protagonist to play the roles needed. The director skillfully facilitates the psychodrama using role reversal, doubling, mirroring, and other interventions as needed to move toward the clinical contract or goal of the psychodrama. Once achieved, a final scene or action is initiated for closure of the drama, followed by each role player de-roling, and returning to their chair in the circle. The final phase of a psychodrama is sharing-where participants are invited to share how they are connected with the roles and themes from the psychodrama by sharing their own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This chapter will outline the basic techniques and interventions of psychodrama, different types of psychodrama scenes, the importance of closure and de-roling, and the sharing phase of the group process. In this chapter, considerations for utilizing psychodrama interventions through teletherapy will also be presented.
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
Advanced psychodrama directing techniques are presented in this chapter. These advanced intervent... more Advanced psychodrama directing techniques are presented in this chapter. These advanced interventions offer a depiction of the level of clinical sophistication demonstrated by expert psychodrama directors. The awareness of group sociometry within the psychodrama enactment is described while portraying the multiple layers of object relations activated for participants in a psychodrama session. Advanced techniques for involving audience group members and deepening the emotional involvement of auxiliary role players are discussed. Also included in this chapter are an overview of clinical role assignments, facilitating moments of multiple protagonists, and constructively using projective identification in the group process. Content from the Therapeutic Spiral Model is offered, specifically the practice of prescribing strengths-based roles and considerations for safely facilitating scenes with traumabased roles. Multiple strategies are offered for de-roling when more emotionally charged roles are played by group members. Keyword Psychodrama directing • Trauma-focused psychodrama • Psychodrama de-roling • Clinical role assignment • Projective identification In this chapter, we will move beyond the basics of psychodrama directing and explore some advanced concepts for experienced psychodrama directors. Each subsection of this chapter will offer different methods for engaging the group-as-a-whole during the protagonist's psychodrama. The following advanced directing skills prevent the psychodrama process from becoming an individual therapy session within a group setting. The use of active sociometry within the psychodrama process will be outlined to keep the audience or group actively engaged and identified with the protagonist. The skillful weaving of group members' stories will be depicted through the use of surplus reality and clinical role assignments at the director's discretion. The use of clinical role assignments for both strengths-based roles and other roles will be explored. Psychological safety will be emphasized extracting elements of the Therapeutic Spiral Model's clinical map-the Trauma Survivor's Intrapsychic Role Atom (TSIRA) (see Sect. 7.8). Complexities related to the multiple layers of object relations, role relations, and interpersonal relationships in a psychodrama group experience will be depicted. This section will also portray the use of projective identification
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
The content of this chapter is focused on the importance of the warming-up process, the sociometr... more The content of this chapter is focused on the importance of the warming-up process, the sociometric selection of a group topic and protagonist, and Yalom's therapeutic factors as they relate to psychodrama groups. The warming-up process, often overlooked, is presented as integral to the success of any experiential structure. The role of the psychodrama director is described while presenting four sub-roles-therapist, analyst, group leader/sociometrist, and producer. The importance of contracting and the initial interview at the start of a psychodrama enactment are emphasized. Each of Yalom's therapeutic factors is introduced while identifying their significance in psychodrama practice. Keywords Warming-up process • Sociometric selection • Therapeutic factors • Roles of director • Psychodrama warm-up The content of this chapter explores the importance of the warm-up as it relates to both sociometry and psychodrama processes and specifically the choosing of a topic and protagonist of a psychodrama. The warming-up process will also be explored considering the psychodrama director, their role, and function in the group. The importance of a clinical contract will be touched upon as it relates to setting up a psychodrama enactment. The therapeutic factors of group psychotherapy (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005) will be outlined with their connection to Moreno's methods in the hopes of offering a bridge between these two group psychotherapy philosophies. 12.1 The Warming-up Process Warming-up describes the process of preparing one's self for action. We cannot be in action if we have not first warmed up to it (Moreno, 1940). Moreno's concept of warming-up was borrowed from his theater work and implanted into his therapeutic work. The warming-up process for each act and for each person looks different and is experienced differently, even when resulting in the same action. Moreno defines the warming-up process as "the operational expression of spontaneity" (1953, p. 42). His Canon of Creativity, outlined in Sect. 4.4, depicts the warming-up process as a
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
This chapter is devoted to the description and depiction of action sociometry processes and safet... more This chapter is devoted to the description and depiction of action sociometry processes and safety structures in group settings, especially in group therapy. Each of these is presented with considerations to theory, safety, and multiple examples of structured prompts for their application in diverse social work group settings. Experiential sociometry processes outlined include the use of small groups, spectrograms, locograms, floor checks, step-in sociometry, hand-on-shoulder soicograms, and the circle of strength safety structure. These action-based processes can be modified for use in any group setting to enliven the group experience. Keywords Experiential sociometry • Spectrogram • Locogram • Floor check • Sociogram • Circle of strengths A previous chapter explored sociometry as a theoretical system and a research methodology for exploring and understanding small groups, social networks, and society (see Chap. 5). This chapter is entirely devoted to the clinical practice of sociometry within group work and group therapy. In addition to five commonly used experiential sociometric processes (small groups, spectrograms, step-in sociometry, hands-on-shoulder sociometry, and locograms), this chapter will also present the circle of strength safety structure from the Therapeutic Spiral Model and the sociometric floor check instrument from the Relational Trauma Repair Model. While the emphasis of this chapter will be on in-person groups, content on adapting these methods for teletherapy will also be introduced throughout the text. 11.1 Clinical Applications of Sociometry The clinical applications of sociometry include a variety of pen-to-paper activities that explore an individual's social atom or social network, or experiential action structures that explore the series of attractions, repulsions, similarities, and differences within the group (Hale, 1981, 2009). In the context of this discussion of
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
Social work and psychodrama are both inherently strengths-based approaches with person-centered p... more Social work and psychodrama are both inherently strengths-based approaches with person-centered philosophies that affirm the inherent goodness of individuals. The chapter outlines social work's strengths-based perspective while connecting it to mutual aid, positive psychology, humanistic psychology, and Morenean philosophy. Social group work's emphasis on mutual aid and group-as-a-whole processes is outlined with similarities to the theory and practice of psychodrama. The importance of a strengths-based approach in trauma work is affirmed and depicted through resilience theory and post-traumatic growth. Modern adaptations of classical psychodrama which emphasize strengths work are depicted, including positive psychodrama, the Therapeutic Spiral Model, and Souldrama. Keywords Strengths-based social work • Mutual aid • Strengths-based approach • Positive psychology • Strengths perspective 9.1 Strengths-Based Social Work Practice The social work field has incorporated a strengths-based approach as a core aspect of its identity. The social work profession and strengths-based approach appear to have a harmonious fit considering the core values of treating everyone with dignity and worth, emphasizing relationships, and steadfastly holding hope for personal and societal change (Witkin, 2017). Instead of solely focusing on pathology, suffering, trauma, injustice, and problems, social workers uphold the belief that each individual has unique strengths and should be treated with dignity and respect. "One thing is certain … Once a client is engaged in building up the strengths within and without, a desire to do more and to be more absorbed in daily life and drawn by future possibilities breaks out" (Saleebey, 2012, p. 111). The emphasis on strengths is nothing new to society; history has a wealth of examples of spiritual leaders, gurus, archetypes, gods, doctors, advocates, politicians, philosophers, and writers that "sought to find the best in human capacity and desire, both individually and collectively" (Rapp, Saleebey, & Sullivan, 2006, p. 80). The flavor of the strengths-based perspective was present from the start of the social work profession, especially in the settlement movement, the emergence of social group
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
This chapter is devoted to outlining the research literature of psychodrama and group therapy. Ev... more This chapter is devoted to outlining the research literature of psychodrama and group therapy. Evidence-based practice trends and their impact on practice in the field of social work are described. Psychodrama is also framed within the research bases of the humanistic-experiential psychotherapies, creative arts therapies, and body-and movement-oriented therapies. While the quality and quantity of research available on the effectiveness of psychodrama are limited, current findings support its use to as a treatment for various mental health conditions. Shortcomings and critiques of research in psychodrama are included while indicating a need for higher quality psychodrama research studies. The research history of psychodrama's founder, Jacob Moreno, is also described to provide insight on psychodrama's historical relationship to research. Keywords Evidence-based social work • Psychodrama research • Group psychotherapy research • Experiential psychotherapy • Effectiveness 10.1 Social Work and Evidence-Based Practice The social work's struggle to establish itself as a professionalized field traces back to the beginnings of social work. Okpych and Yu (2014) highlight three major shifts in social work's practice paradigm-first a paradigm based on morality and charity, then a paradigm based on tradition and authority of the psychoanalytic approach, and now a paradigm grounded in empirical research. This shift toward empirical clinical practice (ECP) seems to have begun in the late 1960s and shifted the paradigm from practicing based on appeal, tradition, or consensus to a clinical practice rooted in evidence and effectiveness (Okpych & Yu, 2014; Witkin, 2017). This new ECP paradigm challenged social workers to routinely assess and evaluate the effectiveness of their work while also urging social work researchers to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches on a large scale. In part, the ECP movement was stimulated by a series of research studies concluding that certain social work approaches were not effective or even
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
This chapter will briefly introduce further methods that Moreno created related to psychodrama, a... more This chapter will briefly introduce further methods that Moreno created related to psychodrama, as well as other approaches similar to psychodrama but developed by others. Social microscopy and sociodrama will be outlined pertaining to Moreno's additional dramatic approaches. Axiodrama, monodrama, autodrama, ethnodrama, bibliodrama, and teledrama each will be introduced as other dramatic approaches based on psychodrama. Drama therapy, gestalt therapy, Playback Theater, Theater of the Oppressed, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor Therapy, and family/systemic constellations will each be briefly presented with their similarities and differences to psychodrama. Keywords Sociodrama • Sociatry • Drama therapy • Gestalt therapy • Experiential approaches • Teledrama Moreno is most recognized for his contributions to the field through his development of sociometry and psychodrama. Nevertheless, he also developed multiple other experiential approaches similar to psychodrama which are outlined below. Furthermore, other pioneers since Moreno have created experiential approaches have core elements in common with Moreno's methods. Some of these other methods were directly or indirectly influenced by Moreno's work while others emerged independently from his influence. 15.1 Sociodrama Sociodrama seems to be particularly complimentary to social work in its focus on social issues and versatility as an approach in clinical, educational, and community settings. Browne defines sociodrama as "a learning method that creates deep understanding of the social systems and social forces that shape us individually and collectively" (2011, p. 12). While a psychodrama enacts the topic or concerns of an individual group member, a sociodrama enacts a collective group concern (Giacomucci, 2017; Minkin, 2016). Moreno states that "the true subject of a sociodrama is the group" (1943, p. 437). In sociodrama, there is an element of aesthetic distance
Routledge eBooks, Feb 22, 2023
Routledge eBooks, Feb 22, 2023
Routledge eBooks, Feb 22, 2023
Psychodrama in Counselling, Coaching and Education, 2021
The rapidly emerging neuroscience research continues to validate the practice of social work, gro... more The rapidly emerging neuroscience research continues to validate the practice of social work, group therapy, and psychodrama. The centrality of human relationships is being supported by the field of interpersonal neurobiology. New technologies allow us to learn more about the brain and the ways it is impacted by adversity, healing, and action. The importance of safety, connection, integration, and a strengths based approach is supported in the neuroscience literature. The neurobiological mechanisms which promote change in psychodrama are becoming clearer. Furthermore, the words of contemporary neuroscientists appear to echo Moreno's writings of sociometry and psychodrama nearly a decade earlier. Keywords Neuroscience • Interpersonal neurobiology • Group psychotherapy • Psychodrama • Social work • Trauma 8.1 Trauma and Neuroscience The evolution of technology has stimulated an advancement in research in the field of neurobiology in the past few decades. Many refer to the 1990s as The Decade of the Brain, due to the significant findings that emerged in the field of neuroscience (Gabbard, 1992). The field of trauma and post-traumatic stress has been revolutionized in the past few decades with an influx of new information about how trauma impacts the body and the brain. Some core neurobiological processes to understand when it comes to trauma include the structure of the brain, attachment and affect regulation, poly-vagal theory, and trauma responses, HPA axis, memory and learning, and healing from trauma. 8.1.1 Brain Structure and Brain Systems The brain is an incredibly complex organ, most of which we still do not fully understand due to its many complexities. Some foundational understandings of the structure of the brain include the conceptualization of the brain as a part of multiple larger
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Papers by Scott Giacomucci
This open access book outlines the intersections between social work and the methods of sociometry and psychodrama. Different sections offer essential practice wisdom for both trauma-focused and trauma-informed experiential work for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities. This text enriches the understanding of various action-based approaches and highlights how to enliven social work practice. The chapters include clinical vignettes and examples of structured sociometric prompts with diverse populations, topics, and social work settings to enhance the understanding of group practice, individual practice, and community practice. It provides social workers and other professionals with dynamic tools to improve assessment, intervention, activism, and leadership. Strength-based practical tools are offered to readers, along with guidance for theoretical conceptualizations. This integrative book is an essential read for students, practitioners, leaders, and scholars within the fields of social work, psychodrama, the creative art therapies, group therapy, community organizing, and social activism.