Established in 1991, the J.L. Moreno Award is presented annually, when an appropriate candidate exists, to an individual for outstanding life-long contributions in the field of psychodrama. Selection is based on general achievement over a period of at least 30 years.
The Barbara has been an exemplar of Moreno’s philosophy of inclusion and the application of the triad methods of Psychodrama, Sociometry and group Psychotherapy for over 30 years. Of special note is Barbara’s long-standing work in the field of HIV/AIDS, her work in addictions treatment and recovery, and her dedication to providing psychodrama services and training to the First Nations population in Canada. More specifically, Barbara offered psychodrama groups to people diagnosed with AIDS for over 15 years. Individuals entered her psychodrama group with
full-blown AIDS and left the group only when they died. Barbara graciously and skillfully held space for the profound experience of being with death and dying, including attending the funeral of the deceased members and mourning their death as part of the psychodrama group experience. In addition, Barbara provided ongoing support to members of a Loss, Bereavement and Resilience team who supported people with AIDS. For this outstanding work, Barbara was honored with the Neil Passeriello Award in 2020.
Barbara worked in addiction treatment and recovery for over 15 years at Bellmont Center. There, Barbara ran a psychodrama group and trained the staff to use limited psychodramatic methods with their clients.
Barbara’s work with the indigenous people of Canada is also most worthy of recognition: For over 15 years, Barbara has provided psychodrama and group psychotherapy to the people of the First Nations, and she trains First Nations people to use psychodrama and sociometry in their work with clients. She has been instrumental in developing culturally relevant approaches and modifying psychodrama techniques to meet the specific needs of the indigenous Canadian peoples.
In addition, Barbara has shown an excellent example of the application of sociodrama and sociometry in the classroom. She taught adults—mostly new Canadians—in secondary school for many years. In this capacity, Barbara used Moreno’s philosophy and methods to bring the classroom alive with excitement and learning. Barbara served as one of the trainers on the training team with the Toronto Centre for Psychodrama and Sociometry (TCPS) until that Centre recently changed to The Center for Psychodrama and Sociometry of Ontario (TCPSO), where she continues to be an active member of the trainers’ team.
Barbara has been an outstanding trainer in sociometry. She goes beyond the limited sociometrictraining some contemporary trainers offer, helping to ensure that the new generations of psychodramatists learn the philosophy underlying sociometry, in addition to the techniques.
Moreover, the training Barbara offers goes well beyond spectrograms, locograms and step-in sociometry to include fuller, more in-depth sociometric methods, such as the Sociometric Cycle, the Diamond of Opposites, the Healing Cycle and The Classical Encounter. In so doing, Barbara helps to ensure that sociometry as a philosophy and a complex method is sustained.
She has maintained a private psychotherapy practice, Spirit Alive, for many years. In her practice, Barbara offers individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy, integrating Morenoean philosophy and methods into her work. Barbara has been an ambassador for psychodrama for over 30 years, helps to promote and sustain Moreno’s vision—especially for
marginalized and underserved populations.
In addition to her work as a therapist and trainer, Barbara has devoted herself to her work with the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy (ABE) as Admissions Chair and Vice-President. The Admissions Chair role, in particular, requires countless hours, which Barbara volunteers selflessly and generously, giving her personal time and bearing financial loss in the process. Barbara brings wisdom and integrity to her role as a psychodrama trainer.
Congratulations Barbara! You are an inspiration to us all!
