Psychodrama Training Retreat

This 5-day, immersive, training retreat in Sedona, AZ will deepen your psychodrama expertise while connecting to community, nature, and spirit. This experience offers both professional growth and personal rejuvenation, fostering deep transformation in a truly inspiring setting.

Immersive learning is paired with personal and professional replenishment. While many professional trainings focus solely on intensive skill-building, this retreat style training is intentionally designed to support both your professional development and your personal rejuvenation. Shared lodging in a beautiful, restorative setting creates space for connection, renewal, and personal growth. Shared meals, swimming, time in nature, and meaningful connection with like-minded professionals offer opportunities for rest and replenishment. Hiking, meditation, and moments of stillness become the backdrop for a deeply immersive learning experience that nourishes both the whole person; personal and professional.

Participant Information

Psychodrama Training Retreats are tailored for professionals and students who wish to enhance their expertise in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy. This training is intended for Social Workers and a range of allied professionals with beginner to advanced skills, such as Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, Rehabilitation Counselors, Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Clinical Psychologists, Pastoral Counselors, and Expressive Arts Therapists (including those in Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, or Music Therapy).

This training retreat is specifically designed to support participants across beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels. Beginner (i.e. graduate students or professionals working towards initial licensure) and intermediate level participants (i.e. advanced licensure and expertise) will be introduced to foundational concepts, allowing a strong base of understanding to be built while reintroducing advanced level participants (200 or more hours of board-approved training in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy) to foundational theory while deepening practice skills through hands-on learning and exploring complex clinical nuances through in-depth discussion and experiential practice exercises. Unsure if this training matches your experience level? Contact Scottie or Yehuda directly to discuss if this training is the right fit for you!

For details about travel, accommodations, or support in planning your trip please call, text, or WhatsApp Yehuda at 646-247-2845, or email Scottie at Scottie@PsychodramaNJ.com.

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate an understanding of psychodramatic structure: warm-up, action, and sharing.

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

• Discuss aspects of psychodrama philosophy i.e. Catharsis of integration, “here & now”, child development, etc.

• Discuss and demonstrate directing skills (i.e. determining a therapeutic hypothesis, setting clinical goals, identifying act hungers, open tensions, and central concern).

• Demonstrate an understanding of doubling, mirroring and role reversal techniques.

• Discuss how sociometry is used to address issues of group dynamics.

• Demonstrate the ability to process a psychodrama sessions using correct terminology (i.e act hunger, open tension system, double, catharsis of abreaction, sociometry, status nescendi, etc.)

• Verbalize the differences between catharsis of abreaction and catharsis of integration

Presented by Scottie Urmey, LCSW, TEP & Yehuda Rubin LCSW, DSW, CP/PAT

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.

Yehuda Rubin, DSW, LCSW, CP/PAT, maintains a thriving private practice offering individual, couples, and group psychodrama therapy, and is widely appreciated for his gentle and thoughtful clinical style. Yehuda brings his expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to his advanced training in psychodrama, weaving cognitive insight with action methods, somatic awareness, and relational depth to support meaningful and lasting therapeutic change. Now pursuing advanced certification as a psychodrama trainer and educator, Yehuda is now leads and co-leads experiential trainings through Psychodrama NJ .

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 40 Clinical continuing education credits.

All hours of training are approved by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy as training hours toward certification. 

Please note, Continuing Education credits are also valid for counselor's in New Jersey (i.e. LPCs, LMFTs, and LCADCs).

Travel & Lodging Information

Travel:

The retreat is located in West Sedona, Arizona. The closest airports are Prescott Municipal Airport (approximately 37 miles away, serving regional flights) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (approximately 109 miles away, serving major commercial flights).

Although the training officially begins Friday morning, participants lodging at the retreat house are welcome to arrive as early as Thursday at 4:00 PM to settle in, connect, and enjoy the space. The training will conclude Tuesday evening, though participants may choose to remain at the property until Wednesday at 12:00 PM.

Please note that trainers will provide coffee, tea, and light refreshments throughout the retreat. Participants are responsible for arranging their own meals, transportation to and from the Airbnb, and any expenses related to optional recreational activities.

Those lodging at the training site are welcome to use the kitchen throughout the retreat and are invited to enjoy a shared community meal together on Friday evening.

Lodging:

The training retreat is designed to foster connection and community, with participants ideally staying together at the Airbnb, sharing meals, and engaging in restorative activities before and after the training times. However, this is entirely optional. Participants who live locally or prefer to arrange their own lodging are welcome to do so and may still participate in any of the optional activities of their choosing.

Participants lodging at the retreat house will be staying in a spacious and comfortable home designed to support both connection and relaxation. The property includes private and shared sleeping accommodations, generous indoor gathering space, and restorative amenities including a private pool, hot tub, sauna, cold plunge, exercise area, pool table, and outdoor fireplaces.

The home includes shared and private bedroom room options and 4 shared bathrooms. To accommodate different needs and budgets, participants may choose from:

• Private Room: Single occupancy in a private bedroom

• Shared Room: Shared accommodations with another participant(s)

• Couples Accommodation: Shared king bedroom for couples attending together

Pricing varies based on the selected lodging option. Because space and room types are limited, participants are encouraged to register early to reserve the accommodation option that best meets their preferences. For questions regarding lodging arrangements, room availability, or costs, please call, text, or WhatsApp Yehuda Rubin directly at 646-247-2845.

Inclusivity Position

At Psychodrama NJ, we recognize that nothing is value-free. Every learning space reflects a set of guiding principles, and we want our participants to be clear about the values that shape our learning events. Our programs are grounded in, and intentionally aligned with, the core values and ethics of the Social Work profession and the APA’s 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, 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, BIPOC communities, and diverse lived experiences.

Because of the authenticity and vulnerability that psychodrama invites, moments of hurt, tenderness, or feeling offended can naturally arise—even in safe and well-held spaces. When this happens, we expect participants to draw on their professionalism and communicate these experiences directly, respectfully, and within the group container. We do not expect everyone to agree all of the time, but we do expect a shared commitment to peaceful communication and maintaining the goal of mutual understanding. We invite participants to bring their “ouches” back to the full group for healing, repair, and collective understanding. This practice deepens trust, models ethical communication, and strengthens the community we are co-creating together.

We believe that together, we build a culture rooted in trust, safety, transparency, and shared responsibility. If you have questions or concerns about your ability to participate in this way, please contact Scottie directly. Our goal is to ensure that every participant is supported in learning, growing, and engaging fully in alignment with our profession’s ethical values and guidelines.

Registration Information: Fees, Refunds, Accommodations, Grievances

Registration: You must register in advance to attend. You can register using this online platform or by calling the office directly at 732-686-9427.

Tuition & Lodging: $3,000, Includes: CE/Training Hours Certificate, educational materials, access to the house amenities, shared bathroom facilities and private or shared lodging*. For those staying off site the tuition is $2,500 and includes Includes: CE/Training Hours Certificate, educational materials, access to the house amenities.

*Please note: The $3,000 fee is based on shared room accommodations. Additional fees may apply for single-occupancy private rooms. Discounted rates are available for couples attending together and sharing a private room.

Payments: Payments can be made using this secure platform or if you would like to avoid platform fee's you can make payment by check.*

*Once registration is complete, choose “Manual Payment”. If we do not receive payment within 7 days of registration we will have to release your space. 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.

Accommodations: PNJ hopes to create a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment. Psychodrama training uses an adult learning model, intended to be less hierarchical, so education and learning flows from all available resources. Participants are encouraged to let us know about their different learning needs and goals so that we can best nurture your educational experience. To inquire into accommodations for special needs or disability please call, text, or WhatsApp Yehuda Rubin at 646-247-2845 or Scottie Urmey at 732-686-9427 or Scottie@PsychodramaNJ.com.

Grievances: If anyone is left unsatisfied with the program or instruction, they may contact Scottie Urmey, 732-221-7306, Scottie@psychodramanj.com

Refunds:

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made on or before September 1, 2026 are eligible for a full refund minus a $250 administrative fee. Beginning September 2, 2026, there are no refunds for the training tuition. Participants who paid for onsite lodging may still receive a refund for the room portion only ($500). After October 10th, 2026, no refunds will be issued. All refund requests must be submitted in writing and directed to Scottie Urmey at Scottie@PsychodramaNJ.com. No refunds are offered for cancellations after October 10th. If Psychodrama New Jersey cancels this training retreat, an alternative date will be offered or a credit toward a different training will be issued.