Supervised Practicum
Each applicant must complete a supervised practicum applying the theory and methods of psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy consisting of:
- at least 80 psychodrama sessions
- each session lasting at least one hour
- including at least 41 group sessions
- with at least 40 sessions of supervision of at least 50 minutes each.
The Supervised Practicum begins when the trainee has completed no less than 80 hours of training and with the approval of the Primary Trainer. Although the Board specifies the time period for the practicum (1 to 4 years), there is ample opportunity for creativity and spontaneity in working within these broad requirements.
Each session consists of directing the warm-up, action and sharing utilizing the full range of psychodramatic techniques and skills. Focus is on education, treatment, or change by the participants of the group facilitated through psychodrama practice.
The supervised practicum is separate from directing in a training group, which is considered training. In some instances, trainees doing an internship or while working in an agency may co-direct clinical groups with a primary or secondary trainer. Such groups may be credited toward the supervised practicum requirement (but may not also be credited as training hours). Supervision of the trainee’s work co-directing such clinical groups are recorded as supervision hours.
Practice Plan
The practice plan is developed with the Primary Trainer and reflects the interests and skills of the trainee. For example, some trainees conduct time limited 12 week groups on anger management, while others lead on-going psychodrama groups, or do some of the required groups in healthcare agencies or schools. The practice plan includes:
- Dates of service and length of group (for ongoing group, period of service and frequency of sessions)
- Overall plan for treatment, interventions, and assessment
- Goals and objectives for each group
- On-going evaluation of the efficacy of interventions and outcome: Use of client report and sociometric connections for evaluation is encouraged.
Practicum Supervision
The Primary Trainer may, but is not required to, take the role of supervisor for the trainee’s practicum experience.
Twenty hours of supervision must be given by the Primary Trainer, or by another TEP that is approved by the Primary Trainer. The additional 20 hours can be given by a supervisor approved by the Primary Trainer who has a master’s degree in an educational or clinical field and who meets state regulations for practice in the desired area of competency.
It is recommended that trainees receive a variety of supervision from at least two TEPs skilled in the areas of interest during this supervised practicum. Supervision and training hours are documented by both the trainer and the trainee for the purposes of accurate record keeping.
Supervision is distinguished from training hours because the focus of the supervision is how to improve treatment or education provided to the client and group. The supervisor assists, guides, and evaluates the trainee in the integration of theoretical and training psychodrama experiences to the trainee’s chosen area of practical skill and interest.
The hours of supervision may be conducted face to face, by phone or video communications, or on-site supervision where the TEP observes the trainee directly during the session. Supervision may be individual or group settings. The supervisor and supervisee work together in areas such as:
- Marketing of services to possible clients
- Design of services including goals and objectives
- Screening new clients
- Issues of diagnosis, assessments, treatment planning, group goals
- The interaction of clinical issues with action methods
- Integrating psychodramatic and sociometric interventions with existing clients
- Countertransference issues that affect treatment
- Skill development in certain areas and with different techniques
- Moments of difficulty with action interventions
- Role development as a director and auxiliary ego
- Management of conflict in groups and issues with group dynamics (sociometry)
- Creatively incorporating psychodrama, sociodrama, and sociometry in new settings and in new ways
- Evaluation of interventions and effectiveness
- Research design
- Discharge criteria
- Ethical concerns such as conflict of interest, dual/multiple relationships
- Misfits for a group and how to terminate them for the service
Record Keeping
For each service keep records of the following information:
- Date(s) of Service
- Type of Service (e.g., individual, couple, family or group)
- Population Served
- Goals & Objectives for your work with this population, including expected outcomes
- Evaluation Measures employed to determine outcomes
- Specific psychodramatic, sociometric and other experiential methodologies (i.e., assessment and interventions) used in your work with this population. Describe how these methodologies relate to the goals and objectives of the service
- Supervision received corresponding with the service