Weekly Psychodrama Training

This on-going weekly training course will offer 100 hours of in-depth learning and practice of the psychodramatic method, philosophy, and technique. Action exercises and psychodrama enactments will be balanced with didactic and processing to provide a full learning experience. Weekly Psychodrama Training offers a unique professional learning experiences that truly supports professional self care. In addition to gaining a specialized clinical skill set, participants also gain a uniquely supportive professional community in the process.

Learning Objectives:

• Verbalize an understanding of basic psychodramatic theory (i.e. sociometry, role, creativity & spontaneity theory).
• Discuss some aspects of psychodrama philosophy i.e. Catharsis of integration, “here & now”, child development, etc.
• Demonstrate an understanding of psychodrama structure i.e. warm-up, action, and sharing.
• Demonstrate an understanding of doubling, mirroring and role reversal techniques.
• Explain and implement a social atom exercise.
• Utilize action techniques for assessment, intervention, and evaluation purposes.
• Discuss how psychodrama and sociodrama can be integrated with other related fields and modalities.
• Discuss and demonstrate directing skills (i.e. determining a therapeutic hypothesis, setting clinical goals, identifying act hungers, open tensions, and central concern).
• Verbalize an understanding of various psychodrama terms including surplus reality, tele, sociometry, auxiliary, etc.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues* in the application and practice of psychodrama.
• Demonstrate how action interventions can be used to recognize and address *cultural factors within the group psychotherapy process (i.e. sociodrama).
• Demonstrate the ability to process a psychodramatic session.

Schedule Options:

• Wednesday Mornings: 10am-1pm (starts 9/18/24) Advanced Trainees
• Wednesday Evenings: 6:00-9:00pm (starts 9/18/24) All levels welcome
• Thursday Mornings: 10am-1pm (starts 9/20/24) All levels welcome

Registration will officially open in April 2024, Those who have RSVP's will have priority registration as space is limited. 

Scottie Urmey, LCSW, TEP: (leading Wednesday and Thursday morning training groups)

"Scottie" is a licensed clinical social worker and board certified trainer, educator, and practitioner of psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy with over 25 years of training and experience. “Scottie’s” clinical applications of psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy follow her career; inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), adult partial hospital, community based, and presently in private practice with adults, children, couples and families. Scottie is listed as an approved clinical supervisor by NASW-NJ and presently teaches the required 20-hour clinical supervision course at Monmouth University, School of Social Work, Professional Education Program. She has been presenting educational workshops and seminars locally and nationally on the topic of psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy since 2007. Scottie is the founder of Psychodrama New Jersey, an institute of education, training, professional development and psychotherapy practice. Scottie is currently President of the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry, & Group Psychotherapy. She is frequently an adjunct professor of Monmouth University’s Professional Counseling Department and School of Social Work. Scottie received the 2014 Alumni of the Year Award from Monmouth University School of Social Work, the 2014 Volunteer Award from the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, and the ASGPP 2016 Collaborators Award for her contribution to the learning and practice of psychodrama with her long-time colleague Ron Collier, LCSW, TEP. Most recently, Scottie has co-authored research related to sociodrama which was published in the 2020 Special Edition of Social Work Practice with Groups journal.

Ron Collier, LCSW, TEP:  (leading Wednesday evening training group)

Ron  is a licensed clinical social worker, board certified psychodramatist, and approved clinical supervisor. Ron has held clinical and supervisory positions for over 35 years. He received the Bertha-Capon-Reynolds award from Monmouth University School of Social Work for his outstanding field supervision in 2007 and the 2014 Volunteer Award from the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County for his personal contributions and oversight of volunteer’s in the aftermath of Super storm Sandy, and the ASGPP 2016 Collaborators Award for his contribution to the learning and practice of psychodrama with long time colleague Scottie Urmey, LCSW, TEP. In addition to his full time private practice Ron consults for the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, conducts psychodrama therapy groups for Monmouth Medical Center's Community Connections program, and is served on the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP) executive board.

Continuing Education: 

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

Participant Information

Training groups include students and professionals with various educational and professional backgrounds ranging from beginner to advanced skill levels. Some advanced participants may be seeking certification while intermediate or beginner participants may seek training for professional development or skill building purposes. The course provides content and training hours required for board certification in psychodrama. Board Certified Practitioner’s (CP) and CP eligible candidates must be masters level licensed mental health professionals. Therefore, the material presented in this course builds upon techniques, knowledge and skills learned in introductory collegiate level courses. Participants at the beginning skill level will minimally have completed some collegiate level course work and demonstrate an interest and aptitude for pursuing an advanced level mental health degree (ex. Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Expressive Arts Therapies, Art Therapy, Dance/ Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, or Music Therapy). This psychodrama training uses an adult learning model, so education and learning flows from all available resources, allowing advanced and intermediate (i.e. current masters level students or recent graduates) skill level participants the benefit of furthering their clinical acumen via the questions and enthusiasm of beginning level participants.

Accommodations: PNJ hope 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 contact the registrar, Patricia Hannah, at 732-686-9427 or patricia@psychodramanj.com. 

Grievances: If anyone is left unsatisfied with the program or instruction, they may contact Scottie Urmey at 732-686-9427 or scottie@psychodramanj.com.

Refunds: Full refunds are given for cancellations made 3 weeks before the start of the event 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 Patricia Hannah at 732-686-9427 or patricia@psychodramanj.com. No refunds are offered for cancellations after the training has begun. Weekly Psychodrama Training requires a commitment to attend and arrive on time for the full on-going experience. However, if Psychodrama New Jersey cancels training sessions due to local government requirements and CDC guidelines presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, full refunds will be issued.