Created by Dr. Fabian Blobel, a direct student of Alfons Aichinger and Walter Holl
The adolescence sociologically speaking is the time of transition from the family to the cultural space of the society. The peer group supports as а “secondary group” or the “agent for inculturalisation” of this transition. In early adolescence the importance of the peer group for relationships and points of reference increases significantly. Thus, young people themselves are more and more responsible in their groups to construct a safe place where they can make new attachment experiences and facilitate new exploration.
From a developmental psychology point of view, this means that in this age the work in groups represents an important therapeutic and intervention option, thus being very different from the work with children or adults in groups.
To conduct and accompany professionally the educational or therapeutic process by groups of young people, it is essential to know the complexities of developmental psychology, attachment theory, and group dynamics to adequately and effectively perform interventions. Here, the Psychodrama, in particular the Sociometry and the Sociodrama offers a wide range of possibilities for interventions, which enrich the educational and therapeutic work with groups.
The program is designed for specialists working with groups of adolescents in the pedagogical, social or therapeutic areas. It consists of 4 modules x 30 teaching hours.
The aim of the modules is to focus on this developmental phase and its implications and differences from the work with children or adults. By reflecting different theoretical aspects it will enable the participants to use a huge variety of interventions and activities.
The main techniques used come out of the psychodrama method but many other action methods are included and discussed. Psychodrama techniques are not ment to be taught in depth, so before starting the program it is strongly recommended that the participants have prior knowledge and experience with the method of psychodrama or are in the process of acquiring it.
The modules will be based on theoretical inputs, self-experience, learning by doing and supervision questions.
The topics of 4 modules are:
- Module 1: “Forming”. Developmental Aspects of Adolescents and the Formation of the Group.
Creation of a secure place, where adolescents could gain new experience of attachement and support of exploration. - Module 2: “Storming”. Attachment and Social Competences of the Individual in the Group.
How to initiate and work with the processes of individualization and differentiation in groups with adolescents. How to mediate and solve conflicts. Work with ambivalences. - Module 3: “Norming”. Group dynamics and self-regulation in a group. The I’s are creating the We.
Process of becoming a We. The conflicts and ambivalences from the storming are mediated and solved in order to create the rules and values of the group, before entering the performing phase. Achieving a profound view of different group dynamic concepts and theories to better interpret the group and it´s behaviour. These we use as templates to develop psychodramtic interventions for our paedagogic or therapeutic groups of adolescents. The aim here is to help the adolescent group to reflect and create how they want to live their togetherness. - Module 4: “Performing”. “Us on Stage”. Psychodrama and action methods for personal growth in ongoing groups.
In the group phase of Performing, the group is able to construct and follow a common aim. The psychodrama offers a wide spectrum of forms and arrangements as group plays, sociodrama, protagonist plays, vignettes, sculptures, etc. The focus is on the role theory and the concepts of spontaneity and creativity. How can we support the adolescents in their role development and their ability to play? How can we use the forms and arrangements of psychodrama in our groups of adolescents in order to alter the role spectrum, the role creativity and the role flexibility?
Participants will receive a Certificate after completing the full course, which, in combination with at least “Psychodrama Assistant” level, gives possibility to use the psychodrama method with adolescents in the field of their professional competence – pedagogy or therapy.