Psychodrama is Action

Psychodrama is Action – And Actions speak louder than words. Some experiences sit in your chest like a knot, a heavy burden. You talk about them, explain them, analyse them — and yet, nothing seems to shift. Psychodrama feels like a breath of fresh air. Instead of only talking, you step into the scene. You replay it. You swap roles. You watch your scene unfold from a new angle. It’s not about acting — it’s about finally seeing what’s been hidden, a new perspective. In today’s world of endless Zoom calls and endless scrolling, we forget that healing happens by standing up, moving around, and letting our body speak. The body carries stories, words aren’t enough. And here’s what comes as a surprise: the room itself changes. When someone takes on the role of a parent, a colleague, or even their younger self, you can feel the energy shift. It’s almost like the air gets heavier with truth and lighter with possibility. At the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, Participants often leave saying: “I didn’t know I could see my life this way.” Psychodrama is the drama of your soul, It’s an experience that helps us meet ourselves with more compassion.

July at the Indian Institute of Psychodrama

July was nothing short of electric at the Indian Institute of Psychodrama. We promised to keep you busy—and inspired—and that is exactly what happened. With three dynamic workshops already completed and one more powerful experience just around the corner, this month has truly been a celebration of growth, connection, and creative exploration.

1. Online Psychodrama Training: A Powerful Start

Our ongoing Online Psychodrama Training, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, continued into July with a surge of fresh energy and enthusiasm. Participants from across the country—and even beyond—gathered virtually to step into the method of action and healing. From understanding roles and role reversal to experiencing sociometry and the power of the auxiliary ego, this was not just training—it was a new form of experiential learning that awakened insight, creativity, and connection. The energy, commitment, and curiosity in the virtual room were contagious. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are excited to welcome more cohorts in the coming months.

2. Art Therapy Workshop with Dr. Charitra Ballal: Colour, Creativity, and Connection

From July 14 to 18, the walls of our training space came alive with colour, movement, and imagination. Dr. Charitra Ballal’s Art Therapy Workshop was a feast for the senses—and the soul. Participants explored how art can bypass the analytical mind and give shape to emotions that often defy words. Guided exercises using image-making, colour stories, and shared reflections created a safe and vibrant space where participants discovered new aspects of their personality and journeyed together through a gallery of expressive experiences. Therapists, educators, and artists alike left with their inner creative fires reignited and their toolkits enriched.

3. Exploring Dreams through Psychodrama: Where the Unconscious Speaks

Dreams became doorways during this immersive 3-day workshop held from July 18 to 20. Led by Magdalene Jeyarathnam, this workshop helped participants bring their symbolic dream world to life through action methods. It was raw, powerful, and deeply transformative. Participants worked with dreams that had been lingering for years—finally giving them voice and resolution. The dreamwork was intimate, collective, and magical. If you ever wondered what your dreams are trying to tell you, try this workshop. Sign in when this workshop is announced.

4. Healing Transgenerational Trauma through Psychodrama

As July came to a close, we concluded one of our most powerful workshops of the season — Healing Transgenerational Trauma through Psychodrama — held on July 26 and 27.

This deeply immersive experience brought together participants ready to explore the invisible threads passed down through generations — inherited wounds, untold family narratives, and ancestral patterns that continue to echo in the present. Through the method of psychodrama, participants didn’t just observe these legacies; they stepped into them, gave them voice, and began the process of transformation in action.Time and again, this workshop proves to be one of our most sought-after spaces for those curious about the origins of emotional patterns and ready to confront the stories that shaped them. The energy in the room, the courage in the enactments, and the collective strength of the group left a lasting impact on everyone present.

Step Into What Comes Next

What sets these workshops apart is the heart behind them. Each facilitator brings in decades of experience, a deep understanding of therapeutic processes, and a creative, human touch. These are not just workshops—they are portals into personal evolution.

If you missed any of these experiences, do not worry. There is more coming. A lot more. Looking ahead, we now turn our focus to an equally significant experience — our upcoming September workshop that will explore colonial histories, cultural identity, and inherited resilience. Participants will be invited to examine the psychological impact of colonisation and the lasting imprints it leaves on individuals and communities. Through psychodramatic group processes, this workshop offers a space to not just reflect on history, but to begin the work of healing it. Stay tuned for our upcoming calendar and announcements. Whether you are a therapist, coach, educator, or someone seeking personal transformation, the Indian Institute of Psychodrama is a space where creative methods meet deep reflection—and new possibilities begin.

 

Let your curiosity lead. Let your story unfold. And let us walk with you.

📩 To stay updated or enquire about upcoming workshops, visit www.centerforcounselling.org
📱 WhatsApp/Call: +91 98847 00135 / +91 98847 00104
📧 Email: indianinstituteofpsychodrama@gmail.com

Why is Online Psychodrama training incomplete if there is no In-Person component?

Why is Online Psychodrama training incomplete if there is no In-Person component? 

1. Embodied Action Requires Physical Presence Psychodrama is grounded in "action-based techniques" like role reversal, mirroring, and doubling-which rely on body language, physical proximity, and spatial awareness that cannot be replicated virtually. 

2. Safe Emotional Holding Needs Group Energy In-person settings allow facilitators and peers to offer immediate, embodied containment and emotional support, which is essential during intense emotional expression or trauma processing. 

3. Spontaneity and Creativity Emerge in Shared Space Core elements of psychodrama-spontaneity, play, and creativity, flourish more naturally in a "shared physical space" where group dynamics and spontaneity evolve organically. 

4. Trust and Connection Develop More Deeply In-Person Therapeutic trust and cohesion are significantly enhanced through nonverbal cues, eye contact, and shared presence, crucial for deep personal work and risk-taking. 

5. Accurate Role Training Requires Full Sensory Feedback Learning to direct psychodrama scenes, play auxiliary egos, and use sociometry tools needs multi-sensory, real-time feedback, which is only fully possible offline.

Indian Institute of Psychodrama's Hybrid Certification Model at the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, we believe in maintaining the integrity and depth of psychodrama training. While our 80-hour online theoretical training offers flexible access to foundational concepts, we only issue certificates after participants complete an additional 70 hours of in-person training, provided complimentory. 

This ensures that all certified participants have experienced the full embodiment, group process, and spontaneity essential to psychodramatic practice. 

References 

Blatner, A. (2000). Foundations of psychodrama: History, theory, and practice (4th ed.). Springer Publishing Company. Kellermann, P. F. (1992).                                                                                    
   Focus on psychodrama: The therapeutic aspects of psychodrama. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Dayton, T. (2005).                                                                                                                                                          The living stage: A step-by-step guide to psychodrama, sociometry and experiential group therapy. Health Communications, Inc.

Counselling Skills training workshop - January 2023

January 21, 2023 marked the end of a four-day training program by East West Center for Counselling and training for Nirangal and their collaborators. We had 12 participants. The training focused on creating a cohesive group environment and a safe space for our future counsellors among the LBBTQI+ community.

The training covered many of the basic concepts of counselling, from counselor skills and relationship building between the client and counsellor, to developing a good counseling atmosphere. Our aim was to provide the participants with the knowledge and experience they need to become successful counsellors.

The collaboration between Nirangal and East West Center for Counselling is an ongoing relationship and this training is just one of many that have been put on in the past. The training was a great success and the participants left with a better understanding of the counselling process and a stronger commitment to the profession.

Counselling is an important part of mental health care and having well-trained professionals is essential to providing quality, compassionate care particularly among the LGBTQI+ community. We are proud of the work we did with Nirangal.

Counselling Skills training workshop - October 2021

Counselling aids one to express their emotions and it promotes well-being in the society. It facilitates individuals to be self-sufficient and to be connected with social environment and to gain insights about their feelings, thoughts and behavior about oneself. 

As there is an increase in day-to-day stress levels, and stress-related illnesses have increased – the numbers who need counselling has also increased. To match the demand for counsellors, East West Center For Counselling and Training organized a workshop for those who have the aptitude and the need to use counselling skills in their work. This was an experiential learning in counselling and it provide an opportunity for the participants to sharpen skills and also to refresh counselling ideas. 

Counselling skills training workshop was conducted on 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st October, 2021. The timings of the workshop was from 10 am to 4 pm. A total of 12 participants took part in this workshop. various counselling skills were taught both theoretically and practically.  Mock sessions were conducted for the participants to learn and implement the skills learnt. 

Venue: Chennai     

Facilitator:

Magdalene Jeyarathnam- Certified Psychodramatist

she is an expressive arts therapist and a board certified Psychodramatist and psychodrama trainer. She works with individuals, couples and groups including family groups in India. Magdalene has more than 25 years of experience in working with addiction, HIV/AIDS, and mental health issues, she has worked with several state and central government agencies in India, she has also worked with UNICEF and WHO as consultant on various counselling projects. She is the founder of East West Center for Counselling which is an Expressive arts therapy center providing therapy services to schools, universities and organisations; She also founded the Indian Institute of psychodrama which is the first psychodrama training institute in India, since 2009. She works with corporate trainers, therapists, and those from marginalised communities in India – sex workers, prisoners, People living with HIV, LGBTQ+ communities. She is currently pursuing her doctoral study.

 STORY OF THE SOUL

Storytelling is an art that uses facts and narrative to convey something to the audience. Thereby, it enables the individual to embrace and own the story of their lives. Whereas, psychodrama is a deep spontaneous action method that helps the individual to gain insight into their lives. 

Thus, the combination of the profound personal engagement in storytelling, and the equally profound exploration of image and character uncovered through psychodrama made this 4 session workshop unique and significant. The workshop was conducted on 6th,13th, 20th, 27th of August 2021 (Fridays) at 6:00pm to 8:00pm. It was facilitated by Laura Simms and Magdalene Jeyarathnam.

 Laura Simms is a Storyteller, Writer, Humanitarian, the Artistic Director of the Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center in NY and also the founder of The Center for Engaged Storytelling (new). 

Magdalene Jeyarathnam is a Certified Psychodramatist, Expressive Arts Therapist and the Director of the Indian Institute of Psychodrama. she is also the Director of the East West Center for Counselling and Training (an Expressive Arts Therapy Center based in Chennai, India); and a co-founder of the Expressive Arts Therapy Association of India.

Teachers retreat workshop at Kodaikannal International School - 8th July 2021

 East West Center for Counselling and Training in collaboration with Kodaikannal International School conducted a teachers retreat workshop using Expressive Arts Therapy. This workshop was held at KIS campus on the 8th of July 2021.