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NADTA requires 800 total hours · 300 direct contact · 30 supervision · 2 different populations
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Syllabi
Socio Drama & Group Drama Therapy: History, Theory & Applications
Summer–Fall 2024 · Instructor: Mimi Savage PhD RDT/BCT · spotsavage@yahoo.com
SocioDrama_CourseTracker.xlsx
3 sheets: Assignment Tracker · Course Requirements · Video Viewing Log (45 videos) — download and open in Excel or Google Sheets
↓
1
History & Theory of Sociodrama
2 assignments
▶
Required Readings
Sociodrama chapter 19 — Sternberg & Garcia, Current Approaches in Drama Therapy 2nd ed. (posted GC)
Blatner — Ch. 9 Play, Imagination, Surplus Reality; Ch. 20 Related Approaches (scanned, posted GC)
Required Videos
▶ Psychodrama film (GC)
▶ Rebecca Waters on Moreno
▶ Psychodrama single sessions
▶ Components of psychodrama
▶ History of Moreno
Assignment 1 — Post to Google Classroom
Essay (2 pages, double-spaced): Differences and similarities between psychodrama and sociodrama; why Moreno conceived these methods.
Assignment 2 — Post to Google Classroom
Case Study: Describe in detail a sociodrama case you imagine you can/will lead — include demographic detail and group goal.
2
Spontaneity, Creativity & Roleplay
2 assignments
▶
Required Readings
Carnabucci — pp. 6–12 (psychodrama defined), p. 40, pp. 42, 46–51, 148–9; p. 162 (sociodrama defined); pp. 92–95 (fear and spontaneity)
Kipper article (posted in Google Classroom)
Required Videos
▶ Concretization tools
▶ Mirror position as tool
▶ Ron Wiener — sociodrama steps
▶ Jean Campbell TED talk
▶ Sociodrama action steps
▶ Trauma 3 E's
▶ Trauma 6 principles
Assignment 3 — Post to Google Classroom
Essay (2 pages, double-spaced): Importance of spontaneity in Moreno's theory; explain Five Basics of psychodrama as they apply to socio-drama in your own words.
Assignment 4 — Post to Google Classroom
Case Study: Plan a case using photos (family album or magazine images, Carnabucci p. 165) in a sociodrama action — describe all steps you will use with photos as tools.
3
Structuring Socio Drama Groups
1 assignment
▶
Required Readings
Carnabucci — pp. 52–58 (warm up), pp. 59–65 (spectrogram, sociometrics, commonalities), pp. 83–87 (empty chair), pp. 101–103 (locogram)
Blatner — Ch. 18 Sociometry; Ch. 21 Principle Uses / Techniques (scanned, posted GC)
Required Videos (13)
▶ What is a group?
▶ Role training as tool
▶ Spectrogram method
▶ Circle of commonalities
▶ Locograms
▶ Safe role reversal
▶ Rebecca Waters — empty chair
▶ Sociometry tools Pt. 1
▶ Sociometry tools Pt. 2
▶ Role Reversal — Zerka Moreno
▶ Lecture: Sociometrics #1
▶ Warm up, action, role play
▶ Social atoms
Assignment 5 — Post to Google Classroom
Case Study (2 pages, double-spaced): Plan a mock group action with a specific population using minimum: Spectrogram, empty chair, locogram, soliloquy, role play, role reversal. Describe the social needs of the group, goals of facilitation, and include warm-up, central activity, and closure.
4
Sociometrics: Role Theory & Developmental Theory
1 assignment
▶
Required Readings
Carnabucci — pp. 66–68 (role theory: role taking, role playing, role creating); pp. 114–116 (Erikson's developmental theory with psychodrama)
Required Videos (8)
▶ Lecture: Sociometrics #1 (repeat)
▶ Bob's psychodrama
▶ Moreno Developmental Theory #2
▶ Tian Dayton — letter writing
▶ Tian Dayton — embodied tools
▶ Tian Dayton — trauma timeline
▶ Tian Dayton — Grief timeline
▶ Tian Dayton — Grief letter
Assignment 6 — Post to Google Classroom
Essay (2 pages, double-spaced): (a) Define role taking, role playing, role creating with specific examples (Carnabucci pp. 66–68). (b) Describe how to use Erikson's developmental theory with Moreno's psychodrama actions in a facilitation with a specific age group (pp. 114–116).
5
Tools: Canon of Creativity & Diamond of Opposition
1 assignment
▶
Required Readings
Carnabucci — p. 88 imagination; p. 92 Canon of Creativity; pp. 108–113 Diamond of Opposition; p. 131 Bibliodrama
Required Videos (8)
▶ Tian Dayton & Courtney Meadows
▶ Ron Weiner: Circle of Strengths
▶ Dayton — timeline online therapy
▶ Dayton — empty chair life transitions
▶ Processing grief in group
▶ Concretization/doubling tools
▶ Trauma to PTSD — post traumatic growth
▶ Soliloquy as tool
Assignment 7 — Post to Google Classroom
Essay (2 pages, double-spaced): (a) What is the Canon of Creativity? Why is it important to Moreno's approach? (b) What is the Diamond of Opposition? How is it notable in facilitation? (c) What is Bibliodrama? Describe how it can be used in a specific setting.
6
Final Project: Designing a Socio Drama Intervention
3 deliverables
▶
Required Readings
Carnabucci — p. 134 addiction interventions; pp. 142–147 anger intervention; p. 150 eating disorder intervention
Choose ONE topic for your facilitation: addiction, anger, or eating disorder
Required Videos (4)
▶ Action-based therapy — psychodrama/sociodrama
▶ Social atom (repeat)
▶ Action therapy — trauma/addiction
▶ Zerka Moreno role playing Moreno
Final Deliverable 1 — Paper (5 pages + reference page)
Double-spaced, min. 4 references. Must cover: group demographics, social needs, aims, psychodrama/sociodrama tools used, warm-up, central action, closure, results, challenges, self-reflection. Post to Google Classroom.
Final Deliverable 2 — Video (min. 5 minutes)
Facilitate a sociodrama intervention with 3–6 participants (actors, not real clients unless written permission obtained). Record and post to Google Classroom. May be done virtually (Zoom/YouTube) or in person.
Final Deliverable 3 — Peer Response
Comment on at least one other student's video submission using your acquired sociodrama knowledge before the end of the course.
All Weeks — Video Viewing Roster
Submit complete roster of all required video viewings with timestamps alongside your final project. Use the Video Viewing Log sheet in the Assignment Tracker spreadsheet.
Required — In-Person Virtual Class
Attend a 5-hour in-person virtual session at the end of the course (exact November weekend date TBD). Attendance is mandatory to receive the full 2 AT credits for contract purposes. Action-based group participation and interaction required.
NADTA Handbook of Alternative Training
North American Drama Therapy Association · Updated Fall 2021 · office@nadta.org · 888.416.7167
AT_Handbook.pdf — Full NADTA Handbook of Alternative Training
65 pages · Updated Fall 2021 · Includes learning contracts, internship forms, course descriptions, registry requirements, and BCT guidelines
↗
Drama Therapy Credits
20–24
semester credits at graduate level
5 required core courses + electives to reach 24 cr total. Min B average required.
Psychology Credits
12
semester credits minimum
4 required courses. 1 credit = 15 in-class hours. Graduate or 300+ undergrad level. May be waived via clinical MA streamline.
Internship Hours
800
total hours · 2 populations minimum
300 direct client contact · 30 supervision · 470 indirect max. Must begin after or concurrent with Principles.
DT
Required Core Drama Therapy Courses (15 credits)
5 courses · 3 cr each · 45 in-class hours each
▶
Course instructor must be an RDT with documented experience in the content area. Psychodrama/Sociodrama must be taught by a TEP or CP credentialed by ASGPP. Min B average required. 1 credit = 15 in-class hours.
Creative Drama (3 cr / 45 in-class hrs) — Development of creative imagination and self-expression through improvised dramatic activities: theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, story drama, puppetry, educational drama. Alternatives: Improvisational Acting, Drama-in-Education, Process Drama, Theatre of the Oppressed.
Principles of Drama Therapy (3 cr / 45 in-class hrs) — Introductory survey: history, sources in theatre and psychotherapy, leading practitioners, registry requirements, ethics basics. Also accepted: "Introduction to Drama Therapy" or "Current Approaches to Drama Therapy."
Drama Therapy with Specific Populations (3 cr / 45 in-class hrs) — Survey course OR focus on one population (adolescents at risk, developmentally disabled, corrections, hospitals, trauma survivors, substance abusers, seniors, children at risk). OR 3 one-credit courses on different populations.
Psychodrama or Sociodrama (3 cr / 45 in-class hrs) — All psychodrama, all sociodrama, or combination. Sociometry must be covered. Must be taught by TEP or CP (ASGPP credentialed).
Creative Arts Therapies (3 cr / 45 in-class hrs) — Survey of creative arts modalities beyond drama therapy/psychodrama: Dance/Movement, Art, Music, Poetry/Bibliotherapy. OR 3 one-credit courses in different creative arts therapies.
Also Required — Research & Ethics (choose DT or Psychology track)
Ethical Issues in Drama Therapy (3 cr) — NADTA Code of Ethics, informed consent, mandated reporting, dual relationship, HIPAA, confidentiality, cross-cultural counseling. May be taken as DT course or Psychology/Mental Health course.
Research in Drama Therapy (3 cr) — Quantitative and qualitative research methods, assessment tools, literature review, research design. May be taken as DT course or Psychology/Mental Health/Social Science course.
Research in Drama Therapy (3 cr) — Quantitative and qualitative research methods, assessment tools, literature review, research design. May be taken as DT course or Psychology/Mental Health/Social Science course.
EL
Drama Therapy Electives (9+ credits to reach 24 total)
Min 2 required · Choose from approved list
▶
AT trainees who completed graduate-level Ethics and/or Research in an accredited clinical MA may do a Translational Project (1 credit each) in lieu of one or both electives. All others need electives to reach 24 total DT credits. Courses from other credentialed trainers are accepted.
Applied Drama Therapy
Theatre for Conflict Resolution · Therapeutic Theatre · Self-Revelatory Performance · Restoried Script Performance · Omega Transformational Theatre · Ethno Drama/Non-Fiction Drama · Playwriting for Drama Therapy · Theatre-in-Education · Sand Play Therapy · Advanced Psychodrama (TEP/CP required) · Puppet Therapy · Mask Therapy · Gestalt Therapy · Playback Theatre · Play Therapy · Narradrama
Theories & Allied Disciplines
DT with Additional Special Population · Media in Drama Therapy · Phototherapy · Projective Techniques · Two Stage: Recovery–Individuation · Video/Film in Drama Therapy
Professionalism in Drama Therapy
Assessment & Treatment in Drama Therapy · Cultural Humility Issues in Drama Therapy · Research Project in Drama Therapy · Thesis / Development of New Approaches · Additional Research or Ethics Coursework
Techniques & Methods
Developmental Transformations · Integrative Five Phase Model · Narradrama · Playback Theatre · Rehearsals for Growth (RfG) · Self-Revelatory Performance · Therapeutic Spiral Method
PSY
Required Psychology Courses (12 credits)
4 courses · Graduate or 300+ undergrad · Min B average
▶
Streamlined option: If your clinical MA is accredited by CACREP, COAMFTE, APA, ACGME, CSWE (US) or CCPA-ACCP, CPA/SCP, CASWE-ACFTS (Canada), you may submit the Clinical Master's Degree Certification Form instead of individual psychology course transcripts. Max 1 of 4 required courses by independent study.
Developmental Psychology (3 cr) — Lifespan development, or Child/Adolescent focus. Normal growth within family, social, cultural contexts. Major theoretical approaches.
Abnormal Psychology / Psychopathology (3 cr) — Individual psychopathology from biological, developmental, cultural, interactional perspectives. DSM-based diagnosis and assessment. Also accepted: Personality Diagnosis, Diagnosis and Assessment.
Theories of Personality / Counseling / Discipline (3 cr) — Must cover at least 3 of: Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic, Trait-based, Biological, Humanistic, Existential, Behavioral/Social Learning, Cognitive, Systems/Ecological.
Group Dynamics OR Advanced Counseling Theory & Practice (3 cr) — Group theory and practice OR advanced methods course in a specific population/method (child counseling, play therapy, adolescent counseling, substance abuse, school counseling, trauma recovery, MFT, group therapy, psycho-educational groups, etc.). Cross-cultural counseling strongly recommended.
If Not Taken as DT Courses
Ethical and Legal Issues in Therapy (3 cr) — Needed if not taken as DT course. APA/ACA/NASW standards, informed consent, mandated reporting, HIPAA, duty to warn, cross-cultural component.
Research Methods (3 cr) — Needed if not taken as DT course. Quantitative or qualitative or both.
Research Methods (3 cr) — Needed if not taken as DT course. Quantitative or qualitative or both.
INT
Supervised Internships in Drama Therapy (800 hours)
2 populations minimum · Must follow Principles of DT
▶
300
direct client contact hours
(min)
(min)
30
supervision hours
(min · ratio 1:10)
(min · ratio 1:10)
470
indirect hours
(maximum)
(maximum)
Two different populations required — defined by different diagnoses (substance abuse, depression, Asperger's, Alzheimer's) OR different age levels (pre-school, child, adolescent, adult, geriatric).
Supervision ratio: 1 hour supervision per 10 hours direct contact. Preferred: RDT supervisor. Acceptable: MA-level credentialed creative arts therapist or licensed mental health clinician or special education teacher.
Starting point: Internship hours cannot be counted before or independent of Principles of Drama Therapy. Can begin after OR concurrently with Principles.
Professional hours (post-AT): The 1,000 professional hours required for RDT registry are separate from and CANNOT begin until all 800 internship hours AND MA coursework are complete.
Paid or volunteer: internship procurement is student's responsibility; site must be BCT-approved. Two different internship supervisors required across the 800 hours.
RDT
Full RDT Registry Requirements (beyond AT)
After AT completion · Covered on RDT Application
▶
These requirements are completed AFTER the AT contract is fulfilled. They are tracked on the RDT application, not the AT contract. The P-RDT (provisional RDT) is an optional interim credential available once all DT courses and 800 internship hours are complete but before professional hours are done.
Theatre Experience — Minimum 500 Hours
Acting, directing, playwriting, or other artistic theatre involvement in educational, community, or professional theatre. Can be obtained at any point. An undergraduate or graduate theatre degree more than satisfies this. Documented by transcript, resume, programs, or letters of reference.
Professional Drama Therapist Experience — Minimum 1,000 Hours
Paid or volunteer drama therapy work over no fewer than one calendar year. Cannot begin until all 800 internship hours AND MA coursework are complete. Supervision ratio: 1 hour per 10 hours direct contact.
Additional Hours — 500 Hours
Any combination of: additional work hours, additional DT internship hours (beyond 800), additional DT or psychotherapy training (courses, workshops, conferences), and up to 100 hours of personal psychotherapy.
Three Letters of Recommendation
1) BCT (academic advisor) · 2) Supervisor for professional hours · 3) Colleague, trainer, or supervisor familiar with your DT work. Clients may not be used as references.
Support Materials for RDT Application
AT Contract + supplemental attachments (course syllabi, learning objectives, bibliography with CHED components) · One-page essay on Theatre Experience · One-page essay on Drama Therapy Orientation/Experience · Transcripts of all degrees · Theatre program materials, flyers, hours logs
AT
AT Contract, Policies & Key Deadlines
Annual renewal · BCT fills out contract
▶
Initial contract submission: $80 one-time processing fee to NADTA office (includes 1-year student membership). AT contract on file at NADTA + BCT + student.
Annual renewal: Contract updated every ~12 months. BCT signs off on completed courses and plans upcoming year. BCT submits Master Roster of AT students to NADTA office by January 31st each year.
NADTA membership: Must maintain active student membership throughout AT. Renews May 1 each year. $80 initial fee includes year 1.
Required per course: Course syllabus + learning objectives + bibliography with CHED components must be submitted as attachments at P-RDT/RDT application time. Collect and file for every DT course taken.
Credit conversion: 15 clock hours = 1 semester credit. Workshop hours: divide by 15 (e.g., 6-hour workshop = 0.4 credits). Max 8 hours of instruction per day for intensives.
Grade minimum: B average across all graded courses. "Pass" or "Satisfactory" for pass/fail courses. An occasional C is permitted if overall average remains B.
Leave of absence: Available for 1 year, renewable up to 3 times (4 years total). Form submitted with BCT signature to NADTA office. Must maintain NADTA membership during leave.
Prior life experience: Up to 3 credits may be granted for qualified prior work/training at BCT discretion. Ratio: 100 hours = 1 credit (min 45 of those hours must be direct drama therapy client contact). Cannot apply to internship hours.
Changing BCTs: If changing BCTs, must complete minimum 12 credits and one 100-hour internship under new BCT. Old contract letter signed by both parties submitted to NADTA.