Psychodrama: Soul and Action
Will Help Us Serve Our Clients
The relationship between an attorney and their client is essential. A client must believe and trust their lawyer to represent them, just as an attorney must understand their client’s perspective in order to do the best they can for their client’s case. There are many ways this is accomplished, and one beneficial method is psychodrama. Psychodrama can be described as “role-play on steroids,” but it’s also much more than that. The term comes from the Latin words “psyche” (which means “mind” or “soul”) and “drama” (which means “action”): soul in action. It was first developed by Jacob L. Moreno in the early 20th century. Moreno was impassioned to help the underserved people of society who didn’t have much access to medical care or legal services. Through improvisational role-playing techniques, Moreno created a therapeutic method that helped people gain insight about themselves and others. Wynne Stallings is a licensed psychotherapist in Florida, a certified addictions professional, a certified practitioner in psychodrama (eight-year trainee), and a close professional colleague of Chris Bruce. Back in 2013, Chris approached Wynne and asked if she would join him in a podcast relating to addiction and family involvement in an addict’s treatment. Since then, they have maintained a professional relationship. A few months ago, Wynne asked if Chris and our team thought about using psychodrama to better understand our clients, and they began to explore the possibilities and benefits this methodology presented.
“Psychodrama has limitless applications,”Wynne explains. “Anytime there’s a human being, the possibility of applying psychodrama to that person is there. It’s designed, originally, for groups, but it can be used for individuals and couples. It’s really expanded its work into the law, education, companies — anywhere you have people interacting, psychodrama can be used [to help people understand each other].” In the legal field, it is essential for one party to see and feel what the other party did or is currently experiencing. This is a way of creating empathy and understanding and makes it easier to build bridges between people. That’s how the role reversal of psychodrama is beneficial; it helps create those bonds between a client and their attorney so the attorney best understands their client. Of equal value, a client who feels understood increases the client’s trust. What’s more, a lawyer can use psychodrama to gain insight during jury selection into the minds of potential jurors or to better understand perspectives when speaking to the judge, when dealing with the opposing counsel, and even with witnesses. Psychodrama can also help witnesses or clients prepare for trial by literally giving them a trial run of the process. The goal of psychodrama is to increase communication skills and empathy between two parties so they both emotionally and cognitively understand what the other is feeling or thinking. By working with Wynne, our team will integrate this practice so that we may better serve our clients and ensure that our bonds with them are stronger than ever, enabling us to do our best work to represent their legal needs.
Have a LAUGH
Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber-rich bean salsa.
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
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4 medium sweet potatoes 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed 2 medium tomatoes, diced
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1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
3/4 tsp salt
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1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!
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