Center for Creative Action Strategies

Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Sociodrama Training

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In the October edition of CCAS E-News, we share:

Registration link for workshop at the upcoming Tele’Drama International Conference
Short video about the workshop featuring puppets
Information about the Open Session happening at Boughton Place in October
Blog post about the psychodramatic structure “Magic Shop” and how to run it
Jigsaw Puzzle you can do online
Recipe for Schawarma Marinade
Link to Sandra Cisneros reading her short story ”Eleven” that is helpful for explaining how the younger parts of themselves sometimes take over and run the show.

We hope you enjoy this month's e-news!

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Food for the Mind - Workshops

A Nuts and Bolts Guide to Running Magic Shop

7^th Annual Tele’Drama International Conference

Thursday October 15, 2026 at 4:30-6:30 PM EST

Magic Shop is a psychodramatic technique which uses spontaneity and creativity to help clients think about life changes they need to make in order to achieve their dreams and goals.

It’s a fun way to shake up the routine in group cycles and helps clients think about group and the work we do in group a little differently. In the Magic Shop, customers get a chance to “shop” for desired qualities.

The shop-keeper barters with the customer about how much of that quality they want and how much of a different quality they are willing to let go of in order to get that quality. This workshop teaches the nuts and bolts of running Magic Shop in action.

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Open Session at Boughton Place

Open Sessions are run by the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Collective on the third Friday of the month in the fall and spring as fundraisers for Boughton Place.

On Friday, October 16^th, Joel Thayer will be directing on the theme of “They Roles We Play”.

Learn More

The Nuts and Bolts of Magic Shop

Magic Shop is one of psychodrama's classic techniques and remains a favorite in the repertoire of many psychodramatists. In Magic Shop, the director invites group members to step into surplus reality and engage their spontaneity and creativity in order to explore making life changes that will allow them to move closer to their dreams and goals.

It is especially effective with groups that have reached the integrative or culminating stage of development, when participants are ready to reflect on their growth and consider how they will carry their learning forward. J. L. Moreno demonstrated the power of the Magic Shop in Psychodrama, Volume I (1964), where he describes its use in a therapeutic session.

Part of Magic Shop’s popularity is due to the fact that it offers several important benefits for groups.

Video: The Nuts and Bolts of Magic Shop

Watch Video

Puzzles

Click here to try your hand at this month’s jigsaw puzzle!

Add text and link it

Click to Do Puzzle

Food for the Body:

Shawarma Marinade

The season for warm comforting food is upon us.

Shawarma is one of my favorite marinades for grilling or cooking indoors. It’s a great vegetable marinade that can marinate seafood chicken, lamb or beef.

It’s a nice alternative from barbecue, chili or soy-based marinades.

Get Recipe

Food for the Soul - Video

I first read Sandra Cisneros’ short story “Eleven” when I was in graduate school. It helped me understand why sometimes I felt like I was reacting to things in the present moment from a much younger place. Jen and I share this video with most of our clients when we start working with them as it’s a great way to help them understand psychodrama roles.

This video is amazing because it’s got her reading her short story and lets you feel the character.