What is it about?
The practice of Psychodrama Psychotherapy in a public mental health system which has become custom and protocol of this particular unit - acute psychiatry. Humanizing psychiatry. The importance of relating beyond constructs of psychopathology. Working at relational depth despite a time limited setting.
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Why is it important?
Because it is about keeping the humanistic principles of access to quality clinical care, human dignity and humane care alive especially within acute psychiatry where the business of bed management and quick discharges can become the dominant discourse and 'business' of the day.
Perspectives
We have a duty of care to provide care and treatment to people within acute psychiatry settings - the argument that psychotherapy cannot be 'done' within acute psychiatry nor with people deemed 'terribly unwell' can become a 'convenient default' position and used as a blanket statement to make any work involving working and relating at relational depth null and void. This can then become a misnoma about what psychiatry is and how it is practiced. Often, such a statement is spouted by clinicians who may not be well-informed and to date with historical and current outcome literature, and/or, by clinicians who have not even attempted to work with people in such ways. If we say we provide care and treatment and are working within the principles of recovery and a humanistic framework, then thought needs to be given to what is meant by 'there is no place for psychotherapy...gone are the days'. Well, they are not.
Ms Lorraine Michael
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: ‘Welcoming the Other’: psychodrama in an acute inpatient unit, Australasian Psychiatry, October 2015, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1039856215612990.
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