The Essential Moreno

The best and most important writings of J.L. Moreno, the founder of psychodrama, are collected in this concise and accessible volume. This unique collection explores Moreno’s thoughts in developing psychodrama and sociometry, with his strong emphasis on spontaneity and creativity. Both basic and advanced concepts and techniques of psychodramatic treatment are also discussed. The reader will find extensive examples from Moreno’s own cases containing verbatim transcripts that illustrate the give-and-take between Moreno, his patients, and the audience observers. Jonathan Fox introduces this collection with a brief overview of Moreno’s life and ideas and places this seminal figure in the context of his time and in the field of psychotherapy. The editor’s notes throughout underscore significant aspects of the selections for the practitioner. Autobiographical fragments, a chronology of Moreno’s life, and a selected list of his publications are also included. Jonathan Fox, M.A., is the founder of Playback Theatre and the director of the Centre for Playback Theatre. A Fellow of the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, he is a certified Trainer, Educator and Practitioner in psychodrama (T.E.P.). He is the author of Acts of Service: Spontaneity, Commitment, Tradition in the Nonscripted Theatre. "It is not the usual book on psychiatry, psychotherapy, or psychopathology. It is a book about living, and the massive contribution of a true master." —from the Foreword by Carl A. Whitaker, MD