J.L. Moreno

J. L. Moreno explains his concept of group therapy, while at the same time indicating those experiences of his own life which influenced the growth of his ideas. In the treatment of psychotic subjects in particular, psychodrama has achieved astounding results with this type of "love catharsis"— a catharsis born of encounter with fellow sufferers. The psychodrama method helps the others to understand the often confused personality of the protagonist. The problem is to establish whether a particular individual or the entire group, requires treatment; also what changes in the group structures are desirable in order to promote normalization of these structures, harmonization of the entire group, and hence also the restoration of the individual to emotional health. This is obtained by means of group psychotherapy and psychodrama. Physical contact, physical therapy, and physical training thus form an essential element of the psychodrama situation.