Workshop Overview

September holds profound significance across India. During Mahalaya Paksha (Pitru Paksha), families pause to remember their ancestors, offer gratitude, and honour the enduring relationship between the living and those who came before them. These traditions remind us that our lives are shaped not only by our own experiences but also by generations whose stories, struggles, sacrifices and strengths continue to live through us.

Trauma rarely begins with one individual. Alongside love, courage and resilience, families may also pass forward fear, grief, silence, unresolved loss and unfinished relationships. These experiences often become woven into the roles we inherit, the relationships we create, and the ways we respond to ourselves and to others.

This three-day experiential workshop explores transgenerational healing through trauma-informed psychodrama, integrating Moreno’s Role Theory, psychodrama, sociometry and expressive action methods. Participants will examine how inherited family roles and ancestral relationships continue to influence present-day emotional, relational and professional lives.

The workshop is grounded in the principles of trauma-informed practice, emphasising emotional safety, collaboration, informed choice, empowerment and respect for each participant’s pace and personal beliefs.

Recognising the richness and diversity of Indian traditions, the workshop also creates space to explore ancestral remembrance as it continues to be lived across our communities. Some participants may understand ancestors as spiritual presences, others as psychological realities, family narratives or cultural inheritances. Rather than privileging one perspective, psychodrama offers an experiential method that respectfully allows each participant to engage with their own understanding while creating opportunities for healing and transformation.

Throughout the workshop, participants will have opportunities to:

Explore inherited family roles and unconscious loyalties.
Recognise patterns passed across generations.
Encounter ancestral stories through psychodramatic action.
Differentiate inherited trauma from inherited resilience.
Reclaim strengths, wisdom and protective resources carried within their family lineage.
Discover new roles that support greater freedom and wellbeing.

Rather than remaining trapped by the past, participants are invited to enter into dialogue with it. By honouring what has been carried, acknowledging what no longer needs to be carried, and embracing the gifts handed down across generations, new possibilities can emerge for individuals, families and communities.

This workshop is suitable for:

Psychodramatists
Counsellors
Psychotherapists
Psychologists
Social workers
Expressive arts therapists
Mental health professionals
Students in helping professions
Individuals interested in personal growth and family healing

No prior experience in psychodrama is required unless otherwise stated.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

Understand the principles of trauma-informed psychodrama in transgenerational work.
Explore inherited family roles, loyalties and relational patterns.
Experience psychodramatic methods for working with ancestral relationships.
Examine how cultural rituals, myths and family stories influence identity and healing.
Differentiate inherited trauma from inherited resilience.
Develop culturally responsive approaches to transgenerational psychodrama.
Strengthen their understanding of Moreno’s Role Theory in ancestral and family work.
Experience experiential methods that can be adapted within therapeutic and educational settings.

Workshop Themes

Trauma-Informed Psychodrama

Learn how psychodrama can be practised through the principles of safety, choice, collaboration and empowerment.

Transgenerational Healing

Understand how experiences, beliefs and emotional patterns may be carried across generations and influence present relationships.

Ancestral Relationships

Explore meaningful encounters with ancestors through psychodramatic action while respecting diverse cultural and spiritual worldviews.

Role Theory

Discover how inherited family roles continue to shape identity, relationships and life choices.

Indian Cultural Perspectives

Reflect on Mahalaya Paksha (Pitru Paksha), ancestral remembrance and the many ways Indian communities honour those who came before us.

Workshop Details

Workshop: When the Ancestors Speak: A Trauma-Informed Psychodrama Approach to Transgenerational Healing

Dates: 18–20 September

Duration: 9.30 AM to 4 PM

If you are interested in understanding how family history, inherited roles and ancestral relationships continue to shape emotional wellbeing, this workshop offers a safe and experiential space for exploration and healing.

Come prepared to honour the past, deepen your understanding of yourself, and discover new possibilities for the generations yet to come.

About Your Facilitator: Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

Choosing to train with Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the pioneer who first introduced and institutionalized psychodrama in India. As the first Indian-trained psychodramatist and the founder of the country’s inaugural psychodrama training institute, she provides a world-class education that is uniquely adapted to the Indian sociocultural context. Her credentials as an Internationally Certified Trainer by the IAGP and her award-winning work with the LGBTQI community ensure that students receive globally recognized, ethical, and inclusive training. By training at the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, you are not just learning a technique; you are mentored by a TEDx speaker and global expert whose work is celebrated by the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP). She presents at the British Psychodrama Association (BPA), Russian Psychodrama Association and the Teledrama conferences. This training bridges the gap between traditional psychotherapy and the transformative power of the arts, empowering you with the “self-as-a-tool” approach necessary to lead healing in today’s complex clinical landscape.

Fee details:

Workshop	Fee
3 days workshop	Rs. 12000/-
Private sessions available on request	Charges will be based on duration of the session

Click here to register

Inquiries: +91 9884700135 / 36

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to heal and transform your life. Join us on this incredible journey!

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