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PsychCRITIQUES Hidden in plain site:Treating Trauma in the Intellectually Disabled by John Linton. A review of the book Healing Trauma: The Power of Group Treatment in People with Intellectual Disabilities by Drs. Razza and Tomasulo. Click here.

Momma and the Meaning of Life: Fiction and Non-Fiction Short Stories of Irvin Yalom

Fiction And Non-Fiction Short Stories by Irvin Yalom

By

Daniel J. Tomasulo, Associate Professor of Psychology.

“Of all the world’s wonders, which is the most wonderful? That no man, though he sees others dying all around him, believes that he himself will die.”

-Yudhishtara answers Dharma, from “The Mahabharata” ...More

Reprints

Click below to be connected to the Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities journal. Articles listed below are available as reprints.

Razza, N., & Tomasulo, D. (1996a). The Sexual Abuse Continuum: Therapeutic Interventions with Individuals with Mental Retardation. Habilitative Mental Healthcare, 15, 19-22.

Razza, N., & Tomasulo, D. (1996b). The Sexual Abuse Continuum: Part 2. Therapeutic Interventions with Individuals with Mental Retardation. Habilitative Mental Healthcare, 15, 84-86.

Razza, N., & Tomasulo, D. (1996c). The Sexual Abuse Continuum: Part 3. Therapeutic Interventions with Individuals with Mental Retardation. Habilitative Mental Healthcare, 15, 116-119.

Tomasulo, D. (1994). Action techniques in group counseling: the double. Habilitative Mental Healthcare Newsletter, 13, 41 45

Tomasulo, D. (1997). Beginning and Maintaining a Group. Habilitative Mental Healthcare, 16, 41-48.

Tomasulo, D. (1998). Action Methods in Group Psychotherapy: Practical Aspects. Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis.

Tomasulo, D. (1998). Substance Abuse and Treatment for People with Mental Retardation: Who Will Do It? Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities.

Tomasulo, D. (1999) Getting to Hope: Role-playing in the Treatment of Denial, Resistance and Shame Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities. Vol. 2, No.4 1-9.

Books and Videos

Books

Excerpts from a review of Action Methods in Group Psychotherapy: Practical Aspects by Daniel J. Tomasulo, Ph.D.

Edward H. Hue for

The International Journal of Action Methods: Psychodrama, Skill Training, and Role Playing

I was quite caught up in [Dr. Tomasulo's] enthusiasm for employing action methods to a rather neglected population, the severely mentally retarded.

The books virtue is in being slanted toward the scene encountered in contemporary practice. Here is the real contribution. The book covers three related and overlapping spheres: group psychotherapy for the entrant practitioner, psychodrama, and adaptations to the mentally retarded.

There is much useful new material on how group techniques informed by lightly applied and highly modified action methods can help the developmentally disabled build social skill. Because of his work in the field, Tomasulo received the ASGPP Innovators Award for his adaptation of action methods (primarily psychodrama) to mentally retarded groups.

It is an excellent book for the clinician wanting a transition into group practice. I highly recommend it for the entrant practitioner who is laboring bravely in the contemporary agency scene.

Excerpted from a review In SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS Vol. 22 #3 pp.201-204, by Trudy K. Duffy, LICSW, TEP, Clinical Professor, Boston University School of Social Work

Overall, the transcripts of the two groups, including the facilitators comments, are the most interesting aspects of this book. Here, the author/facilitator shows his passion, humor, and skill in using psychodrama. From the transcripts, a practitioner new to psychodrama can get a sense of how a full session might evolve and how action methods can bring about change. A seasoned psychodramatist can appreciate another directors style and processing of a session, as well as learn some new techniques. In addition, the sections on the Interactive-Behavioral Therapy are readily usable, particularly for groups with individuals who do not have well developed social skills or experiences in mutual aid groups. The author and his wife, Nancy Razza, have been devoted to work with people who are mentally retarded. IBT could also work well with children who have ADHD and with adults who have persistent mental illness. The model builds skills essential for membership in many types of groups. The author is to be commended for developing this action-based approach, which involves individuals so frequently stigmatized and discounted by our society.

Order the library edition

Order the paperback edition

Link to information about the book Beyond Talk Therapy: Using Movement and Expressive Techniques in Clinical Practice

Videos Click here for a review of Dr. Tomasulo's Video on the IBT Model in the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy

"Dr. Dan Tomasulo has made a notable contribution to the field of psychotherapy with adults with developmental disabilities. His training video is clear, touching and firmly rooted in the theory of psychodrama and group psychotherapy."

Robert W. Siroka, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., T.E.P.
Past President, American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama
Lecture, Harvard University

Two Training Videos are available from YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities. There is a direct Email link to YAI below. Please highlight the next paragraph and copy it into the body of the email message, they will respond to your email and give you specific information on how to order the tapes. If you wish you may call Sonia directly at : 212-273-6157 and she can place your order and answer your questions directly.

Group Counseling Tapes (#700A and B)$195.00
(Also available for preview)

Using the Interactive-Behavioral Model Dr. Dan Tomasulo teaches staff how to conduct peer support group counseling sessions, identify factors which enable staff to access how participants are benefiting from peer-supported group counseling, and use specialized role-playing techniques. Tape #1 describes his techniques using examples from an actual group. Tape #2 shows a complete group counseling session with a group of adults who have developmental disabilities.

Copy the above paragraph (so they know which videos you are referring to) then click here and paste the information into the body of the email. Sonya will contact you directly with the information .