clients in training workshops

[Adam Blatner]

Well, Sylvia, what did you and your supervisor conclude?  warmly, adam
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sylvia Israel" <sylvia at imaginecenter.net>
To: "Jacob Gershoni" <gej9001 at nyp.org>; "grouptalk" <list at grouptalkweb.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 12:05 PM
Subject: Re: clients in training workshops


> Dear Jacob, Barnett and Rebecca,
> Thank you so much for writing.
> I recently consulted with my supervisor about this issue so it is fresh
> on my mind. I get confused about how to draw the boundaries,
> particularly for one-day offerings. I am still discovering my own
> comfort level and beliefs. I have seen groups configured in so many
> different ways. I have also seen people hurt in the process. I have also
> seen some "dual relationships" work. Thanks for adding your pieces.
> Look forward to seeing you in NY.
> Happy holidays to those celebrating.
> Sincerely,
> Sylvia
>
> Jacob Gershoni wrote:
>
>>Dear Sylvia and the Grouptalkers,
>>
>>
>>Thanks for your message about my open workshops. Trying to reply I find myself needing 
>>to offer some background information.
>>
>>When I joined Bob Siroka’s psychodrama training group I was impressed by his abilities 
>>and skills as director and group leader but also by the group composition in which I 
>>became a member. It was a large group (more than 20 members), striking in its diversity: 
>>a huge age span, men and women, of many backgrounds. This was a training group but some 
>>of the members were there for “personal” work, clearly not even planning to become 
>>certified psychodramatists. While some members were successful professionally and with 
>>highly developed interpersonal skills, there were others who are struggling making ends 
>>meet and even socially isolated. The group experience was profound. We met once a week 
>>for three hours and could attend a full-day workshop which Bob co-led with Jacquie on a 
>>Saturday once a month. The latter was an open workshop open to all. Later, when I 
>>started leading my own groups and open workshops I often wondered why and how that 
>>model, where mixing trainees and clients
>>in one group, worked. Of course, those in training had to study the theories and prepare 
>>for the exams and onsite evaluations. Nonetheless, the lines are blurred between 
>>personal and professional motivations to pursue a deeper understanding and knowledge of 
>>this method at once fascinating and elusive. The mixed group model worked not only 
>>because of the charismatic leadership of Bob and his masterful abilities, but also 
>>because of the power of the group process and effect of sociometry and psychodrama in 
>>bringing together people of vastly different interests and professional/ educational 
>>goals. Unlike the open workshops, both the training groups and therapy groups are not 
>>open to people who wish to just attend once or more. Membership in such groups is closed 
>>at a certain point.
>>
>>It takes time and work to acquire and hone directing skills. Directing is an intricate 
>>and  subtle art from, beyond just studying the theories and grasping the techniques. It 
>>is an ongoing process and I learned that not being completely satisfied or happy with my 
>>own skills is part and parcel of this process.
>>
>>In my own groups I try to apply what I have learned. In my LGBT group the age range 
>>spans from 32 to 88, and the level of functioning is also varied. I learned to work with 
>>these differences and with the commonalities among group members. In my open workshops 
>>some of my clients attend as well as others. In most cases people register, but even if 
>>they don’t they are drawn to psychodrama either because of past experience or because 
>>they are referred by their own therapists. I have learned to trust my abilities to deal 
>>with problems as they arise and to trust the process and the power of the group. It is 
>>difficult to explain what it takes to be present with the group, to listen to the 
>>members’ narrative and transform it into actions in ways that speak to most group 
>>members.
>>So, Sylvia, if you happen to come to the East Coast, I’ll be happy to see you in any of 
>>my workshops. Then we can analyze what has worked and what hasn’t.
>>Until then, I look forward to meeting you again in the ASGPP conference in New York.
>>
>>Jacob Gershoni
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Sylvia Israel <sylvia at imaginecenter.net>
>>Date: Friday, September 29, 2006 2:19 am
>>Subject: clients in training workshops
>>
>>
>>
>>>Dear Jacob and grouptalkers,
>>>I read Jacob's announcement of the wonderful series of workshops
>>>he is
>>>offering. He writes that they are:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>personal growth and training workshops
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>In regard to the discussion we have been having about clients in
>>>training groups, I wonder if this is a personal growth workshop
>>>for
>>>trainees, for  clients or for both?   Our discussion has been very
>>>interesting to me, as I am the only psychodramatist in my area,
>>>and
>>>taking my TEP exam in a few weeks. So just wondering how they do
>>>this at
>>>the NYC Institute. I some times struggle with who to open one-day
>>>workshops to.
>>>
>>>Any comments--if you have anything new to add to the discussion,
>>>would
>>>be appreciated.
>>>Sylvia Israel
>>>
>>>
>>>Grouptalk mailing list
>>>List at grouptalkweb.org
>>>http://grouptalkweb.org/mailman/listinfo/list_grouptalkweb.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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