ActionArtz Training Institute is a division of Contemporary Counseling Center. It uses psychodrama and other interactive methods to create powerful training and education programs that expand personal and professional skills and assist individuals and organizations in areas of team building, diversity, and effective communication.

Bernice & Bob are qualified trainers and supervisors for certification in psychodrama and NJ State Professional Counselor Licensure requirements. They are also approved providers of CEUs for:

• National Board of Certified Counselors
• National Registry of Group Psychotherapists
• National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors

What is Psychodrama?
       Psychodrama is a means of exploring our lives together with other people in spontaneous role-playing action. It is therapeutic in the widest sense, providing us with opportunities to investigate and integrate body, mind and spirit, and to connect more deeply with others than we often do in our normal day-to-day life. A fundamental goal of psychodrama is to help us activate and expand our individual and collective spontaneity and creativity.

       Conceived and developed by Jacob L. Moreno, MD, psychodrama employs guided dramatic action to examine problems or issues raised by an individual (psychodrama) or a group (sociodrama). Using experiential methods, sociometry, role theory, and group dynamics, psychodrama facilitates insight, personal growth, and integration on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels. It clarifies issues, increases physical and emotional well being, enhances learning and develops new skills. The basic elements (operational components) of psychodrama are:

• The protagonist: Person(s) selected to represent the “theme" of the group in the drama.
• The auxiliary egos: Group members who assume the roles of significant others in the drama
• The audience: Group members who witness the drama and represent the world at large.
• The stage: The physical space in which the drama is conducted
• The director: The trained psychodramatist who guides participants through each phase of the session.
  In a classically structured psychodrama session, there are three distinct phases (structural components) of group interaction:
• The warm-up: The group theme is identified and a protagonist is selected.
• The action: The problem is dramatized and the protagonist explores new methods of resolving it.
• The sharing: Group members are invited to express their connection with the protagonist's work.

Psychodrama affords participants a safe, supportive environment in which to practice new and more effective roles and behaviors.
Excepted From The American Society of Group PsychoTherapy and Psychodrama Web-site.

Why do I need to learn both personally and professionally? Why not just professionally?
Bob and Bernice share a belief that in order to achieve our highest potential we must at times be willing to explore our unique life experiences and how they can impact our professional judgment and performance. With this in mind, ActionArtz Institute’s programs will often incorporate some personal work.

How large are your groups?
The size of ActionArtz’s groups vary depending on the type of training program being presented. For example, there can be as few as 6 participants in a clinical supervision group or 10 to 20 in psychodrama training series. On the other hand, programs presented at conferences, educational facilities or businesses can have over a hundred. The size of community offerings is often determined by the sensitivity of the material and the confidentiality needs of the participants such as a grief counseling group, The Mourning After, of 10 to 15 members. The number of participants in educational programs like acting classes, like Not Just Acting, or public speaking is limited to fewer than 20 to maximize the learning experience.

Does ActionArtz screen participants for their training programs? In order to qualify for an advanced training given by ActionArtz, participants must be interviewed by the directors.

How long are the trainings?
Trainings vary in length of time and frequency. One time programs can last one to two hours, half day, full day, weekend or residential. On going programs can be weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

Who attends?
Some of ActionArtz programs are designed for community members of all ages, ranging from children & teens through older adults. Programs for professionals may include people in the field of mental or physical health, education and business.

What programs are you currently offering?
See "Programs and Calendar"

Are custom programs available?
ActionArtz Institute prides itself in designing relevant and stimulating training for a wide range of topics and audiences. Program Topics.

What are your training fees?
If you are interested in a quote for your organization or business needs please give us a call, 732-577-1076.

How can I be notified about future training opportunities?
Fill in the form in the Mailing List page.