2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

INTRODUCING PSYCHODRAMATIC METHODS TO A MOTHER AND BABY PSYCHIATRIC UNIT (MBU) IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

Kristina Hofberg* and Martin Pursey

* Psychiatrist, South Staffordshire Healthcare NHS Trust, UK

kristina.hofberg@virgin.net

Introduction: Psychodrama psychotherapy, an 'action method' approach to group psychotherapy was founded by Jacob Moreno. Moreno was a psychiatrist, a contemporary of Freud and a philosophical antagonist of psychoanalysis.

In Birmingham, the MBU is a 9 bedded in-patient unit for psychiatrically ill mothers and their babies. When KH and MP started to work there in 2001, the service was lacking any structured forum for the women to meet. They introduced a group psychotherapy programme using 'action methods.'

The Group: The open group is in its seventh month. The group meets weekly for 75 minutes. All women are invited. There are no assessments so no exclusion. The location, the dining room, is close to the crèche.

The structure: There is a 'task' each week, sometimes controversial. Each group member and the therapists 'check in' - if they feel able to. KH discusses the task. Each member works alone then in pairs, sharing their experience if they feel able. The group meets again and women are invited to re-created their experience as 'action.' The women have experimented with techniques such as 'take the role of' and 'role reversal.' The group 'shares' at the end.

Difficulties: It is a challenge to establish the group as a priority in patient care. MP, as a member of the nursing staff has been invaluable. The dual role for KH - a psychiatrist - has proved difficult. Sometimes women are desperately ill.

Developments and Conclusion: This work remains at an embryonic stage of development. CORE assessments have been introduced as a part of the written task. It has been a challenge and a privilege to introduce the unique and empathic methods of psychodrama into the medical world of in-patient services.