October 3, 2025, IMHPA in-person psychodrama continuing education.
Fostering a Relational Worldview: Therapeutic tools for bridging differences, cultivating reciprocity, and depolarizing inner and outer relationships through psychodrama and sociometry
“We say that the human being is an improvising actor on the stage of life. Unlike the theater, you don’t have a script, I don’t have a script. We have to interact on the spur of the moment, here and now, with whatever is between us.” Zerka Moreno
Therapists currently observe an epidemic of polarized relationships and viewpoints in their clients’ lives, while challenges of polarization dominate social, economic and political life. In this workshop relational worldview skills will be taught that are applicable to individual, relationship, and group therapy work and to therapists’ personal experience.
Approximately 100 years ago, Jacob Levy Moreno (1889-1974) began to develop Sociometry, a quantitative method for mapping social relationships. Jacob was a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and educator. Jacob and his wife, psychotherapist Zerka Toeman Moreno (1917–2016), taught and promoted psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy internationally.
Bridging past into present, this experiential and didactic workshop will provide, and train those who attend to use adaptable, active therapeutic tools from time-tested modalities of psychodrama and sociometry. The workshop will help therapists’ clients build internal resources and leverage conflicting intra- and interpersonal dynamics toward balanced and harmonious interactions.
The workshop will include:
· Brief history of Sociometry and Psychodrama over the last century
· Demonstration and experiential practice of two Psychodrama interventions (doubling and role reversal) which can be introduced in your client sessions
· Introduction to TuneUP! a new, containing, sociometric action instrument. This instrument provides clinicians guidance to help clients find balance between the conflicting needs and values within themselves and in their relationships.
There will be ample time for practice, group reflection and questions.
The Presenters
Joyce Follingstad, PhD, CP is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Practitioner in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy. She has decades of training in Gestalt, Psychodrama and Hypnosis. In her therapy practice of more than 40 years, Joyce has counseled individuals and couples as well as facilitating Psychodrama groups and retreats. She has background in Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Joyce was a charter member of AMHA (now IMHPA) and serves on the IMHPA Board. She has served as President and Treasurer of AMHA-USA and AMHA-OR.
Anna Schaum LPC, TEP holds the Trainer Educator Practitioner certification, the highest qualification offered by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy.
As a therapist, Anna works with high performing women in business, medicine, the arts, and professional sports. Anna also consults and does mediation work for organizations seeking systems change through her organization Dramatic Changes: The Center for Sound Relationships. She draws on her diverse background as a professional symphonic musician and as a member of senior leadership (AVP Culture & Equity) within an international creative agency.
Registration Process: online registration will open at EventBrite in the first week of August.
Cost: $110 for pre-licensed and licensed mental health professionals.
5.5 hours of Continuing Education for those who attend and complete the workshop evaluation (may be applied as “training hours” for those moving toward certification in psychodrama).
Date: October 3, 2025, Time: 9am - 4:30 pm Check-in begins at 8am
Location: 3334 NW Luzon St. Portland, OR 97210
Mobility Issues? If you have mobility issues and need ramp access, please let us know by calling 503-222-0332 when you have registered or call 503-740-6653 the morning of the workshop.
Refreshments & Lunch
Coffee, Tea and hot water, fruit and light pastries will be available when you arrive.
Restaurant options near this location are limited and busy. A kitchen with refrigerator, and microwave are available. You are encouraged to bring your own homemade, store-bought or deli food for a shared brown-bag-lunch mealtime.
Those who attend will have:
Tools and information to carry away.
Access to a robust international network of professional psychodrama & Sociometry practitioners.
Access to information for further in-depth training opportunities in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy.