The Psychodrama Group
Information leaflet produced for patients by Gaskell House
The Psychodrama Group
Information leaflet produced for patients by Gaskell House
This is a form of group psychotherapy in which you are able to look at your experiences literally by acting them out as in a play at the theatre. This may help you to explore the past and perhaps to understand and experience it in a new way. It may also lead to new solutions to life and relationship problems.
Membership
There are usually eight group members and one therapist.
Timing
The psychodrama group meets on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Members usually attend for 6 months to two years.
Method
With the guidance of the therapist, you are encouraged to enact your story, or parts of it, in the group. You and other group members play the main roles. During this process, you can swap and reverse roles and even create new ones.
What Is Expected Of You
It is important that you attend regularly and join in as best you can. This form of treatment can feel risky but may provide a very immediate and direct understanding of difficulties.
If you decide at your assessment that this is the right treatment for you, you will be placed on a waiting list. The psychodrama therapist will than see you to discuss the treatment further, and to ensure that you get to know each other before the group starts.
Holidays And Absences
The therapist will give the group good notice of planned breaks, and you are asked to do likewise if you plan to be away. If you have to be absent at short notice, you can leave a telephone message between 9.00am and 4.45pm at Gaskell House reception on (0161) 273-2762.
Child care
Unfortunately we do not have creche facilities at Gaskell House and so if you have a baby or small child you will have to arrange for someone to look after him/her. In this form of psychotherapy it is not usually possible to have your child in the therapy room during sessions.
Medication
The use of medication for psychological difficulties is not a bar to psychotherapy treatment, though we discourage the use of minor tranquillisers, such as valium. It is important that you do not stop any medication without discussing this with the G.P. or psychiatrist supervising it. Your therapist will not supervise your medication.
Confidentiality
The proceedings of the group are confidential. This is essential if people are to trust each other. Your therapist will also respect confidentiality, with the proviso that he/she will discuss events from time to time with a small group of colleagues for the purpose of supervision. Your therapist, however, has a duty to inform your family doctor that you are receiving treatment at Gaskell House.
There are uncommon limited situations when the therapist must disclose group material elsewhere; the therapist will discuss this with you first. This may be when someone's safety is at risk, or to comply with the Children's Act.
Meetings Outside The Group
Difficulties arise in groups when members begin to see each other out of group time. Those involved usually try to protect the out-of-group relationship from the other group members, who feel shut out and wonder if they are being talked about in their absence. This can have a serious effect on group morale. For this reason, please avoid meeting other members out of group time, and let the group know of any meetings which take place.
Confidentiality
What happens in therapy is confidential. This is essential if you and your therapist(s) are to trust each other. Your therapist will also respect confidentiality, with the proviso that he/she may discuss events from time to time with a small group of colleagues for the purpose of supervision. Your therapist, however, has a duty to inform your family doctor that you are receiving treatment at Gaskell House.
There are uncommon limited situations when the therapist must disclose therapy material elsewhere; the therapist will discuss this with you first. This may be when someone's safety is at risk, or to comply with the Children's Act.
Gaskell House Psychotherapy Center
Swinton Grove
Manchester M13 0EU
England
Tel: 0161 273 2762
Fax: 0161 273 4876
email: gmcgrath@psy.cmht.nwest.nhs.uk
This page hosted by
N.W.I.D.P.
North West Institute
of Dynamic Psychotherapy