Group therapy and psychodrama – Prof.dr.sci Mirjana Graovac, psychiatrist and psychotherapist for children and adolescents

Dear colleagues, members and friends of BHIDAPA,

Module
“Group therapy and psychodrama”
Was held
13.-14.02.2016.

Module leader was Prof.dr.sc. Mirjana Graovac, psychotherapist,
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinic of Psychiatry – University Hospital Center Rijeka

The module was open primarily to students of the European Educational Program in Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, but also to persons who deal with psychotherapy in their daily work or are in education in psychotherapy.

“Adolescents, despite the knowledge and experience of the leader, are” always one step ahead. Therefore, the leaders of adolescent groups are again, again … continuously – “on a new exam”. It can be concluded that leaders and the group (as a whole) during the group process form a specific “transitional object”, which becomes a specific quality and healing experience for adolescents in the processes of growing up visible in the group. Clinical practice has shown that spontaneity and creativity in the game are valuable experiences in the therapeutic process, which provide adolescents with a departure from previous patterns of behavior, and open spaces for new experiences and new opportunities. By playing roles, adolescents find it easier to “slip” into unconscious content that then acts less “dangerous” through play.(M. Graovac, 2016.)

Through theoretical presentation, work in small groups, plenary discussions, large groups, personal work, the goal of this Module pointed out:

– specifics of group psychotherapy of children and adolescents
– the importance of analytical psychodrama as a therapeutic technique, and the need for professional education
– The emphasis of the Module is especially on the experiential work of the participants.

With joy and respect,
Module leader and postgraduate students
From integrative child and adolescent psychotherapy