Cost: Please see below:

Full Event (12 Sessions; 60 Min Each):

• Professionals & General Public: $250
• Students and Retirees: $180

One Day (Saturday or Sunday) (6 Sessions; 60 Min Each):

• Professionals & General Public: $150
• Students and Retirees: $110

Single Session (60 Min):

• Professionals & General Public: $40
• Students & Retirees: $25

PRESENTED BY TEAMS OF PRACTITIONERS & TRAINERS
OF THE INTERNATIONAL TELE’DRAMA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
VIRTUAL REAL-TIME EXPERIENTIAL DEMONSTRATIONS


ABOUT THE EVENT

The 2nd Annual Tele'Drama Community Festival 2025 celebrates the transformative power of virtual and hybrid action methods in personal growth, education, and therapy. This unique event brings together practitioners, trainers, and participants from around the globe to engage in real-time experiential demonstrations, showcasing innovative approaches in psychodrama, sociometry, sociodrama, and other action methods. Designed for professionals, students, and the general public, the festival emphasizes creativity, connection, and the integration of technology in fostering meaningful relationships and personal development. Join us to explore cutting-edge techniques and connect with a vibrant, international community!

TELE’DRAMA CERTIFICATION LEVELS ABBREVIATIONS:

• CTP-1: Certified Tele'Drama Practitioner Level 1
• CTP-2: Certified Tele'Drama Practitioner Level 2
• CTP-3: Certified Tele'Drama Practitioner Level 3
• CTT: Certified Tele'Drama Trainer

 

DAY 1: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Session # 01: Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
08:00 AM – 09:00 AM Central Time (United States)
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
11:00 PM – 00:00 AM (same day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Daniela Simmons BIO, Tele'Drama Creator & Founder [United States], Bojana Glusac Draslar BIO, CTT [Serbia], Samuel Yie BIO, CTP-3 [South Korea]
Title: HASHTAGS & HEARTSTRINGS: SOCIOMETRIC EXPLORATIONS IN THERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS NAVIGATING RELATIONSHIPS ONLINE AND OFFLINE
Description: Join us for the opening session of the 2nd Annual Tele’Drama Community Festival 2025, where we explore the vital role of sociometry in the therapeutic and healing process for children and adolescents. This interactive session highlights effective virtual and hybrid action methods to uncover the dynamics of their relationships, both online and offline. Sociometry is a powerful therapeutic tool that helps children and adolescents explore and understand the web of relationships in their lives. By focusing on their connections with significant people, sociometry supports healing by: a/ Clarifying relational dynamics and emotional bonds; b/ Identifying patterns of closeness and distance that impact well-being; c/ Fostering self-awareness and empathy for deeper understanding of self and others; d/ Addressing relational challenges and strengthening supportive connections.Through the metaphor of "Hashtags & Heartstrings," this session bridges the digital world of online interactions with the timeless value of authentic relationships. Sociometry is presented not just as a method of exploration but as a transformative process for healing and growth, offering children and adolescents a path to healthier, more meaningful connections.
__________

Session # 02: Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
09:00 AM – 10:00 AM Central Time (United States)
04:00 PM – 05:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
00:00 AM – 01:00 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Tanya Lynne Lee BIO, CTP-2 [United States], Betty Garrison BIO, CTP-3 [United States]
Title: THE POWER OF MASKS: USING MASK THERAPY WITH CHILDREN IN DRAMA THERAPY
Description: This session introduces the creative and therapeutic use of masks in drama therapy to support children in expressing emotions, exploring identity, and processing experiences. Participants will learn about the benefits of mask therapy, including its ability to provide emotional safety and encourage self-expression. Through hands-on activities such as mask-making, storytelling, and role-playing, attendees will gain practical techniques for engaging children in meaningful and playful ways. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 1/ Facilitate Therapeutic Mask-Making; 2/ Explore the Use of Masks in Role-Playing. Join us to discover how the power of masks can unlock creativity, self-expression, and healing for children through drama therapy.

__________

Session # 03: Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Central Time (United States)
05:30 PM – 06:30 PM Central European Time (CET)
01:30 AM – 02:30 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Anna Kononenko BIO, CTP-1 [Serbia], Lyudmila Zlatova BIO, CTP-3 [Czech Republic]
Title: REBUILDING TRUST AND FINDING CALM: A JOURNEY THROUGH SAND THERAPY FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Description: This online session highlights the transformative power of sand therapy, blending sand tray and sand art techniques to help school-aged children and adolescents express emotions, address attachment challenges, and rebuild trust. Participants will begin by creating a "safe place" in the sand, representing comfort and emotional grounding, fostering a sense of security through tactile and symbolic play. The session will explore strategies for addressing insecure attachment styles—avoidant, anxious/ambivalent, and disorganized—using creative sand therapy techniques. Attendees will learn how to guide children and adolescents in processing fractured relationships, expressing emotions, and finding pathways to healing. The session also emphasizes practical tools for fostering self-regulation and resilience, equipping participants with actionable insights. Designed for therapists, educators, and caregivers, this session provides a hands-on approach to supporting young clients in navigating emotional challenges and promoting trust and calm through sand therapy.

__________

Session # 04: Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Central Time (United States)
06:30 PM – 07:30 PM Central European Time (CET)
02:30 AM – 03:30 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Dragana Nikolic BIO, CTP-1 [Serbia]; Mirjana Stankovic BIO, CTP-3 [Serbia]; Svetlana Iloski BIO, CTP-3 [North Macedonia]
Title: PSYCHODRAMA AND RATIONAL EMOTIVE & COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (RECBT) FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: ONLINE APPLICATIONS
Description: "Events do not cause feelings—our way of thinking does." This session explores the integration of psychodrama techniques with Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (RECBT) to support children and adolescents in transforming their thought processes and emotional responses.Participants will delve into the A-B-C model, which explains the connection between activating events, irrational beliefs, and the resulting maladaptive emotions and behaviors: A: Activating Event – The situation that triggers emotional or behavioral responses; B: Beliefs – Irrational thoughts and evaluations that shape perceptions; C: Consequences – The emotions and behaviors stemming from those beliefs; D: Disputation – Challenging and reframing irrational beliefs using psychodramatic techniques. This engaging session demonstrates how psychodrama can effectively dispute irrational beliefs, helping young clients develop healthier thinking patterns and behaviors. Through role-playing, creative expression, and experiential techniques, attendees will learn practical strategies to foster emotional growth and resilience in children and adolescents. Join us for an interactive experience that combines the best of psychodrama and RECBT to empower young minds.
__________

Session # 05: Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Central Time (United States)
08:00 PM – 09:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
04:00 AM – 05:00 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Colleen Baratka BIO, CTP-3 [United States]; Angeliki Lefa BIO, CTP-2 [Greece]
Title: WORKING WITH ADOLESCENT EATING DISORDER CLIENTS THROUGH HYBRID PSYCHODRAMA: EXPRESSIVE ACTION AND GROUP SUPPORT
Description: Adolescents with eating disorders often face challenges in traditional talk therapy, struggling to open up about their experiences. These difficulties are often intensified by family dynamics where they feel misunderstood or emotionally neglected, and parents may lack the skills to validate their child’s emotions. This presentation introduces hybrid psychodrama techniques tailored for adolescents with eating disorders, integrating expressive action and group therapy to address these communication barriers. Through role-playing significant relationships and personal struggles, psychodrama enables adolescents to externalize emotions and explore inner conflicts. This experiential method fosters emotional breakthroughs that are often unattainable through verbal therapy alone. Group work further enhances the therapeutic process by offering a supportive environment where adolescents can share experiences and connect with peers facing similar challenges. This sense of belonging helps reduce isolation, promotes empathy, and strengthens communication, particularly in the context of familial disconnection. By combining psychodrama with group support, this approach provides a pathway for adolescents to address relational and emotional issues at the heart of their struggles. It creates a transformative space for healing, self-expression, and reconnection, even amidst family adversity.

__________

Session # 06: Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Central Time (United States)
09:00 PM – 10:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
05:00 AM – 06:00 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Monica Munoz BIO, CTP-1 [United States]; Mina Zivkovic BIO, CTP-3 [Serbia/Israel]
Title: EMPOWERING YOUTH: UTILIZING ACTION METHODS WITH CHILDREN IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS AND CLINICAL SETTINGS
Description: This session explores the clinical applications of action methods in schools and clinical settings to support children in marginalized communities. Presenters will discuss strategies to normalize mental health care through the lens of Moreno’s work and demonstrate creative adaptations of action methods to meet the unique needs of these populations.

************************************************************************************************************************

DAY #2: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2025

Session # 07: Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
08:00 AM – 09:00 AM Central Time (United States)
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
11:00 PM – 00:00 AM (same day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Elena Petrova BIO, CTP-2 [Bulgaria], Maia Maria Koleva BIO, CTP-3 [Bulgaria], Desislava Klochkova BIO, CTP-3 [Bulgaria]
Title: EMOTIONAL INTEGRATION: HOW TO BUILD A SAFE AND HAPPY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHILDREN – ONLINE APPLICATIONS
Description: Creating meaningful and resilient relationships starts with identifying and managing emotions. When we feel "good," we behave "well," enabling better communication, decision-making, and the ability to overcome challenges. But how do we achieve this, especially in an online setting? This session demonstrates how to use online techniques to support emotional regulation and strengthen parent-child relationships. Participants will explore the role of primary reflexes and their premature suppression in shaping emotional resilience, attention, and behavior. Through interactive, virtual exercises and activities, participants will learn how to incorporate neurodevelopmental therapies to positively influence a child's neurological development. The session also provides practical strategies for parents to build closer, more nurturing relationships with their children—all demonstrated in an online format. Join us to discover how to foster emotional integration and well-being in children through innovative, accessible, and engaging online methods.
__________

Session # 08: Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
09:00 AM – 10:00 AM Central Time (United States)
04:00 PM – 05:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
00:00 AM – 01:00 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Nancy Scherlong BIO, CTP-3 [United States], Mirjana Stankovic BIO, CTP-3 [Serbia], Jeanie Low BIO, CTP-2 [United States]
Title: FILLING THE HEART: HOW EMBODIED ARTS PRACTICES AND STORYTELLING CAN HELP CHILDREN COPE WITH LOSS
Description: Children facing loss often struggle with the absence of secure attachments, leaving them without healthy coping or regulation skills. The grief and repair process becomes even more challenging when compounded by trauma, care systems and poor transitions, lack of information, denial, or feelings of ambiguity surrounding the loss. This highly interactive workshop will explore somatic theories, collage, and poetic verse memorization as tools to create a safe harbor within the body. Participants will also engage in techniques such as empty chair work, wisdom figures, unsent letters, and dialogue in surplus reality to help mend the rift in the fabric of relatedness to self and others. Join us to discover creative and embodied methods that support children in processing loss and rebuilding connections to themselves and the world around them.
__________

Session # 09: Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Central Time (United States)
05:30 PM – 06:30 PM Central European Time (CET)
01:30 AM – 02:30 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Gulsen Buyuksahin BIO, CTP-3 [United States]; Pembegul Ilter BIO, CTP-3 [Türkiye]
Title: ENHANCING PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH TELE’DRAMA: BUILDING CONNECTION AND TRUST
Description: This interactive workshop is designed to foster deeper understanding and connection between parents and their children using psychodrama and Tele’Drama techniques. Participants will engage in experiential activities to address communication gaps, role expectations, and shared family experiences. Through the use of effective Tele’Drama and psychodrama tools, the workshop aims to enhance parent-child relationships and promote better understanding. Live demonstrations with parents and children will showcase strategies for creating a more supportive environment that fosters trust and mutual growth. Virtual tools will be utilized for scenarios and role-play exercises, offering a safe and supportive space for participants to explore and strengthen their relationships. This transformative workshop will provide participants with practical approaches to building stronger family connections through creativity and experiential learning. 
__________

Session # 10: Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Central Time (United States)
06:30 PM – 07:30 PM Central European Time (CET)
02:30 AM – 03:30 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Daniela Tahirova BIO (CTT) [Bulgaria], Eva Grigorova BIO (CTP-3) [Bulgaria], Hristina Papazova BIO (CTP-1) [Bulgaria]
Title: SAYING 'NO' WITH CONFIDENCE: TELE'DRAMA TOOLS FOR BOUNDARY DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
Description: Teaching children to say "no" is vital for establishing healthy boundaries, building confidence, preventing exploitation, fostering mutual respect, and promoting emotional well-being. By focusing on assertiveness rather than defiance, children learn to prioritize their needs, navigate challenging situations safely, and make informed decisions while respecting authority and social norms. The online space offers a uniquely safe and supportive environment for children and teens to explore and practice new strategies. Using avatars, video effects, and role-playing, young participants can engage in scenarios that allow them to experiment with setting boundaries and confidently saying "no" in a secure and guided setting, free from the risk of physical aggression. This session will explore how the virtual space can empower youth to practice assertiveness through innovative and engaging role-playing activities. Participants will learn how to use Tele'Drama to teach boundary-setting in a safe, supportive, and creative environment. The presenters will demonstrate original techniques designed to help children and teens build confidence, develop self-awareness, and strengthen their ability to establish healthy boundaries. Join us to discover how Tele'Drama transforms the process of learning crucial social and emotional skills in a secure and inspiring environment!
__________

Session # 11: Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Central Time (United States)
08:00 PM – 09:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
04:00 AM – 05:00 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Colleen Baratka BIO, CTP-3 [United States], Cristina Hockl BIO, CTP-2 [Germany]
Title: INTEGRATING DRAMA THERAPY, PSYCHODRAMA, AND MOVIE THERAPIES FOR NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Description: Neurodivergent children and adolescents often encounter difficulties with verbal communication, social interaction, and emotional expression, making traditional therapy less effective. This presentation explores how drama therapy, psychodrama, and movie therapy offer creative and accessible tools to empower neurodivergent youth to express and process emotions in a safe, engaging way. Drama therapy enables clients to embody emotions and explore experiences through role-play, fostering non-verbal communication and self-awareness. Psychodrama, through reenacting real-life situations or imagining alternate scenarios, supports emotional regulation, enhances social skills, and fosters resilience. Group settings amplify its impact, creating opportunities for connection and mutual support. Movie therapy uses carefully chosen films to help clients relate to characters and scenarios that reflect their own lives. Discussing these films fosters empathy, self-reflection, and social problem-solving skills. Together, these modalities form a versatile, inclusive approach that supports neurodivergent youth in self-expression, confidence-building, and navigating social and emotional challenges. The presentation will share practical techniques for integrating these therapies to provide effective, holistic care for neurodivergent children and adolescents.

__________

Session # 12: Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Online Real-Time Experience
02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Central Time (United States)
09:00 PM – 10:00 PM Central European Time (CET)
05:00 AM – 06:00 AM (next day) (Korea/Japan)

Presenters: Daniela Simmons BIO, Tele'Drama Creator & Founder [United States], Andrea Wilches BIO, CTT [Colombia/Argentina]
Title: BRIDGES OF UNDERSTANDING: SOCIODRAMA FOR GROUPS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN ONLINE AND HYBRID APPLICATIONS
Description: Closing the 2nd Annual Tele’Drama Community Festival 2025 with an inspiring session on the use of sociodrama for groups of children and adolescents. Designed for fostering awareness, healing, and a deeper understanding of the society and environment they live in, this session showcases how sociodrama can empower young people to address their challenges and develop meaningful connections. Through experiential and interactive methods, participants will experience the transformative potential of sociodrama in helping children and adolescents explore group dynamics, societal roles, and their place in the world. Sociodrama provides a safe, creative platform for self-expression and problem-solving within a supportive group setting. Sociodrama is a transformative, group-focused approach that fosters social awareness, emotional healing, relational understanding, and resilience in children and adolescents as they navigate their roles and interactions within society. In this session, participants will learn to apply sociodrama techniques in online and hybrid settings, engage in structured, age-appropriate scenarios to foster awareness and healing, and explore strategies to address group challenges while promoting empathy, teamwork, and positive change.

Additional Notes:

• All sessions are 60 minutes and held in real time via Zoom.
• Participants may attend all sessions or select specific ones based on their interests.
• Certificates of participation will be provided upon request.

Join us for this enriching experience!