Psychodrama by any other name

[Adam Blatner]

Response to Anath Garber.
   Hi Anath. I hope you'll come to the ASGPP conference in San Antonio April 10-14 next 
year, and hope all the rest of you will come, also. (Anyone from another country---make 
sure you tell me if you plan to attend! I may have a little something nice for you.)
      Now, today AG wrote: There is something "off putting " about the term "psychodrama". 
I agree with you, Peter.
 AB: I comment on this on p.162 of the Winter 2007 issue of the Journal of Group 
Psychotherapy, Psychodrama & Sociometry, in a section on 'problems in terminology' in a 
paper I wrote titled Morenean Approaches: Psychodrama's Many Facets.

AG: Sheepishly admit, ,that I have been offering "experiential therapy" for years... 
Whenever  tried to push a person from chair to chair, I'd hear : "oh no,not that "psycho" 
thing. So I'd do the same thing in a subtler way. (ok Adam,another article I should 
write..).
   AB: Well, maybe---a commentary about this problem. Read my paper. If you have 
anecdotes, do write a paper. Short of that, consider writing a less formal paper and I'll 
post it on my website. (I don't think you have a website yet.)

    AG Now,I can  understand why  people who come to consult with me do not want to be 
associated with anything that sounds "psycho", as they are  quite  worried that they may 
be a bit of that. I'll  introduce "psychodrama"  when I organize a  "psychodrama group" 
made up out of my patients,where I use this  use this method..  Because I have already 
earned their trust they join, and because the group is so effective, moving and fun, the 
"cringe" factor  about the name disappears. My enthusiasm about psychodrama maybe a factor 
too. I think. And also because they are part of a group.
        So here is an idea of the myriad of possibilities and  much needed applications 
that Psychodrama can offer (don't get me started on it) -won't it  benefit us if we 
"rechristen" ,or remarket ourselves as "Spontaneitists", like orthodontists, 
nephrologists, etc, suggesting a specialty (much in vogue..).?
      AB: Well, I enjoy an interesting neologism. The basic idea is not bad. The word is a 
mouthful---that would be a problem, mere pronunciation... but there's a willingness to 
play around with seeking a fresh word.

    AG As spontaneitists we would offer help, service, training, intervention in that 
which underlines all healing, creativity, spirituality, effectiveness, a "core" training 
(think "Pilates"  as an analogy in body work ). Spontaneitists would be a name for 
everything psychodramatists can offer according to the demand of the situation. This way 
psychodrama can be lifted from the realm of therapy to include it, but not be limited by 
it.
       Am Society for Spontaneity,Group Psychotherapy and Sociometry?

 Of course that would require that we model spontaneity(Moreno was a Spontaneities) and at 
the same time maintain professionalism,which may require some redefining or rather 
refining. Needless to say "a change of name" to suit the new  professional firmament -may 
be a case of spontaneity.Hmmm... Far out? Warmly, anath garber
       AB: sure it's far out, but one of my mottoes is that "off the deep end" can also be 
framed as "where the really great swimming and even scuba diving happens."   Thanks for 
your... well, spontaneity!!    (smile) Adam