"The development of psychodrama parallels the life of Dr. Jacob L. Moreno and his interests in philosophy, mysticism and theater and observations of group relationships.

Moreno was among the first to recognize the supportive power of group, including the importance of self-help groups, where each person becomes the healing agent of the other without any special training or knowledge other than his or her own experience.

About 1912, while walking the streets of Vienna, he noticed the arrests of s in the city’s red light district. A young medical student, he organized an informal group where the women could talk about their problems. They gradually moved from talking about their problems with the police to more personal issues, providing emotional support to each other.

This experience contributed to Moreno’s interest in working with groups rather than individuals, as was the style set by Sigmund Freud, an older contemporary. Moreno coined the phrase "group psychotherapy" to recognize this form of treatment.

The first recognized public psychodrama took place on April 1, 1921 at the Komodien Haus, a theater in Vienna. At that time, Moreno invited the people of the community to the theater, with its stage showing an empty "throne."

Dressed in the costume of a jester, he called members of the audience to take the role of a leader. The audience apparently did not understand Moreno’s message, and no one was seen worthy as taking the leadership in the turmoil of the post-war era.

Moreno left Europe for the United States in 1925. With emigration, he brought his interest in working with children, spontaneous theater and psychotherapy treatment with the use of theater principles. Moreno established Beacon Hospital, an alternative hospital with a therapeutic stage and theater, in the late 1930s and shortly after met Zerka Toeman, who was seeking help for her sister, who was suffering from severe psychosis.

She became his assistant, then student, then trained auxiliary and finally his wife and collaborator, helping write "Psychodrama Volume II" and "Psychodrama Volume III" as well as numerous articles. She traveled with him throughout the world to demonstrate and teach psychodrama and sociometry and helped write "The First Psychodramatic Family" to detail use of psychodrama in the family setting.

J.L. died in 1974, but his work has continued to grow and expand today. The American Board of Examiners has established standards for practitioner and trainer, guaranteeing that persons who hold these certifications have met requirements for the practicing or training of the method.

A separate organization, the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, was founded in 1942. It is the professional organization that offers an annual conference, a membership newsletter and a journal for people interested in the use and study of action methods.

The presence of Zerka in Moreno’s life has provided great contributions to psychodrama. When Moreno was alive, Zerka appeared able to mediate his periodic confrontations and conflicts with peers in psychology and psychiatry. She also accompanied him throughout the United States and the world to demonstrate psychodrama; after his death, she continued to operate the Moreno Institute, training others and refining the method further.

Those interested in Moreno’s life may seek out two excellent biographies, "Jacob Levy Moreno, 1889-1974" by Rene Marineau and "J.L. Moreno" by Paul Hare and June Hare. Zerka’s book of poetry, "Love Songs To Life," also offers insight into her life and spirit."

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