Full-Day Psychodrama Workshop: Giving Grief a Place to Go

In-Person Workshop: Sunday, March 1st, 2026, 10am-5pm @ Psychodrama NJ in Oakhurst, NJ

Grief is universal, it touches every one. While loss is inevitable, the way we process grief is deeply personal. As the saying goes, “Grief is just love with no place to go.” Psychodrama is uniquely positioned to give that grief, and that love, a place to go.

In this experiential workshop, we explore how psychodrama and sociometry offer grieving clients a safe and transformative space to express emotion, reimagine connection, and reconstruct meaning through action. Rather than asking clients to speak about grief alone, psychodrama invites them to experience, embody, and move through grief in ways that honor both loss and continuing bonds.

Participants will engage in sociometric exploration, enactments, and creative interventions that integrate contemporary grief theories with the embodied, relational power of psychodrama. Through action methods such as role reversal, doubling, and surplus reality, clinicians can help clients externalize complex feelings, repair unfinished relational moments, and discover new roles and sources of connection.

This workshop will offer both conceptual grounding and experiential learning, helping clinicians expand their capacity to accompany grieving clients with creativity, compassion, and depth. Participants will leave with practical psychodramatic tools to support grief work in individual and group settings while honoring the unique meaning-making process of each person’s loss.

By the end of this workshop participants will be able to:

• Verbalize an understanding of basic psychodramatic theory (i.e. sociometry, role, creativity & spontaneity theory).

• Demonstrate an understanding of psychodrama structure (i.e. warm-up, action, and sharing).

• Demonstrate an understanding of psychodrama methodology (e.g. doubling and role reversal).

• Describe how three postmodern grief theories—Continuing Bonds, the Dual Process Model, and the Meaning-Making Model—can be integrated and actualized through psychodramatic framework.

• Verbalize the difference between at least two types of grief, such as anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief, and complicated grief.

• Demonstrate how the psychodramatic concept of surplus reality can be applied to at least two different types of grief to support healing and integration.

Presented by 

Scottie Urmey, LCSW, TEP, is the founder of Psychodrama New Jersey, a training institute and psychotherapy practice dedicated to advancing psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy. With more than 30 years of experience integrating psychodrama, creative arts therapies, psychology, and social work, Scottie is a respected clinician, educator, and mentor in the field. She served as President of the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry, & Group Psychotherapy (2021–2024) and is an Approved Clinical Supervisor for social workers in New Jersey. A passionate teacher and trainer, Scottie presents professional trainings and workshops that support clinicians in developing their own experiential, relational, and trauma-informed approaches to clinical practice.

Participant Information:

This course is tailored for social workers and allied professionals who want to gain practical and effective interventions to help clients with grief and loss.

Level: Content is geared toward beginners (i.e. graduate students or professionals working towards initial licensure) up to advanced level participants (i.e. advanced licensure and expertise). Unsure if this course matches your experience level? Contact Psychodrama NJ directly to discuss if this course is the right fit for you!

Format: This all day in-person workshop offers a blend of didactic instruction and hands-on experiential learning, with a focus on building practical skills. The instructor will provided printed materials and multiple opportunities for guided practice and demonstration, as well as group discussions.

Attendance:

• This is an in-person workshop held at Psychodrama NJ in Oakhurst, NJ.

• Prompt arrival and full attendance are required to receive a CE/Training Certificate.

• Participants are requested to arrive at least 5 minutes early to ensure a prompt start.

Continuing Education/Training Information:

Psychodrama NJ, provider number 2273, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 6/25/25-6/25/26. Social workers completing this course receive 6 Clinical continuing education credits.

Please note, NASW-NJ Continuing Education credits are also valid for school social workers, LPCs, LMFTs, and LCADCs in NJ.

All hours of this training may be applied toward certification and supervision standards of the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy.

Registration Information: Fees, Refunds, Accommodations, Grievances

Registration: You must register in advance to attend. You can register online or by calling the office directly at 732-686-9427. Registration is closed when the event has reached capacity or three days prior to the course start date, whichever occurs first.

Tuition: $325 Includes: CE Certificate, light refreshments, and educational materials. Save $25 when you pay by check, Venmo or Zelle.

Payments: Payment of $325 can be made by credit or debit card through the online registration process or a payment of $300 can be made by check, Venmo or Zelle. To pay by check, Venmo or Zelle complete the online registration process, then choose “Manual Payment”. Make checks out to Psychodrama NJ, and mail to Psychodrama NJ, c/o Scottie Urmey, 220 Monmouth Road, Suite 7, Oakhurst, NJ, 07755 as soon as possible.

If we do not receive payment within 10 days of registration we will have to release your space.

Please Note: Scholarship Opportunities for Counselors and Social Workers are available through Love From Lydia

Registration & Questions: The registrar is available for questions and to help participants through the registration process when needed. Please contact the registrar, Patricia Hannah at 732-686-9427 or Patricia@PsychodramaNJ.com for assistance. 

Accommodations: Scottie creates a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment. Workshops include students and professionals with education and expertise from various fields. Some participants may be seeking continuing education, certification, while others may be simply seeking an enjoyable and interesting learning experience. Psychodrama training uses an adult learning model, intended to be less hierarchical, so education and learning flows from all available resources. To inquire into accommodations for special needs or disability please contact the registrar, Patricia Hannah, 732-686-9427, Patricia@PsychodramaNJ.com.

Grievances: If anyone is left unsatisfied with the program or instruction, they may contact the registrar Patricia Hannah: 732-686-9427, Patricia@PsychodramaNJ.com or Scottie Urmey, Scottie@PsychodramaNJ.com.

Refunds: Full refunds are given for cancellations made 3 weeks before the workshop date minus a $20 credit card processing fee if applicable. Cancellations made with less than 3 weeks notice will be refunded minus $75 cancellation fee. Refund requests should be submitted in writing and directed to the registrar, Patricia Hannah: Patricia@PsychodramaNJ.com

Inclusivity Position

At Psychodrama NJ, we recognize that nothing is value-free. Every learning and healing space reflects a set of guiding principles, and we want our participants to be clear about the values that shape what we offer. Our programs are grounded in, and intentionally aligned with, the core values and ethics of the Social Work profession and APA principles, including dignity and worth of every person, self-determination, social justice, integrity, cultural humility, and an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

In a world that has become increasingly divisive in recent times, it is more important than ever that everyone who enters our space agrees to co-create and maintain an environment of safety, respect, and mutual care. We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming, safe, and affirming environment for all participants. We honor each person’s presence, perspectives, and willingness to engage vulnerably in meaningful learning. We proudly support individuals of all abilities, religious and spiritual backgrounds, immigrant and indigenous communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, BIPOC communities, and diverse lived experiences.