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About Dr. Herbert Propper, Ph.D., TEP

Dr. Herbert Propper: A Compassionate Teacher and Visionary Psychodramatist

Dr. Herbert Propper — affectionately known as Herb to his students — was a gifted psychodramatist, an inspiring teacher, and a profoundly compassionate human being. With a Ph.D. and the prestigious TEP (Trainer, Educator, Practitioner) certification from the American Board of Examiners, Herb devoted more than four decades to teaching, practicing, and advancing psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy.

Herb’s professional life reflected both excellence and deep commitment. He was a Fellow and lifetime member of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP) and served on the American Board of Examiners, contributing to the growth and ethical stewardship of the field. His work extended far beyond the United States, and in 2009 he was honored as a Fulbright Scholar to Bangladesh, later joining the Fulbright Specialist Roster for his international contributions to psychodrama and education.

In the U.S., Herb served as Professor Emeritus of Theater at Johnson State College in Vermont, where he brought together creativity, embodiment, and emotional exploration. He also directed Celebrations of the Soul, a center dedicated to psychodrama, sociodrama, and sociometry. His connection with India was especially meaningful — as the Resident Trainer for the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, Herb conducted workshops across Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, touching countless lives and training an entire generation of practitioners.

Beyond his academic and professional credentials, Herb’s teaching was deeply influenced by his spiritual path. As an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk under Lama Norlha Rinpoche and an authorized teacher of basic meditation, he brought warmth, presence, and a grounded sense of compassion into every session. His ability to blend mindfulness with psychodramatic action made his work uniquely transformative.

Herb’s students often said that he lived and breathed psychodrama. His unparalleled spontaneity, creativity, and his extraordinary talent for doubling — stepping into another’s emotional experience with empathy and clarity — made his sessions unforgettable. Herb didn’t simply teach psychodrama; he embodied it, modeling authenticity, courage, and connection in every space he entered.

Herb’s legacy continues in the hearts of those he trained, inspired, and supported. Through them, his spirit of creativity, compassion, and wholehearted presence lives on.

dr herbet img

About Dr. Herbert Propper, Ph.D., TEP

Dr. Herbert Propper: A Compassionate Teacher and Visionary Psychodramatist

Dr. Herbert Propper — affectionately known as Herb to his students — was a gifted psychodramatist, an inspiring teacher, and a profoundly compassionate human being. With a Ph.D. and the prestigious TEP (Trainer, Educator, Practitioner) certification from the American Board of Examiners, Herb devoted more than four decades to teaching, practicing, and advancing psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy.

Herb’s professional life reflected both excellence and deep commitment. He was a Fellow and lifetime member of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP) and served on the American Board of Examiners, contributing to the growth and ethical stewardship of the field. His work extended far beyond the United States, and in 2009 he was honored as a Fulbright Scholar to Bangladesh, later joining the Fulbright Specialist Roster for his international contributions to psychodrama and education.

In the U.S., Herb served as Professor Emeritus of Theater at Johnson State College in Vermont, where he brought together creativity, embodiment, and emotional exploration. He also directed Celebrations of the Soul, a center dedicated to psychodrama, sociodrama, and sociometry. His connection with India was especially meaningful — as the Resident Trainer for the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, Herb conducted workshops across Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, touching countless lives and training an entire generation of practitioners.

Beyond his academic and professional credentials, Herb’s teaching was deeply influenced by his spiritual path. As an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk under Lama Norlha Rinpoche and an authorized teacher of basic meditation, he brought warmth, presence, and a grounded sense of compassion into every session. His ability to blend mindfulness with psychodramatic action made his work uniquely transformative.

Herb’s students often said that he lived and breathed psychodrama. His unparalleled spontaneity, creativity, and his extraordinary talent for doubling — stepping into another’s emotional experience with empathy and clarity — made his sessions unforgettable. Herb didn’t simply teach psychodrama; he embodied it, modeling authenticity, courage, and connection in every space he entered.

Herb’s legacy continues in the hearts of those he trained, inspired, and supported. Through them, his spirit of creativity, compassion, and wholehearted presence lives on.

dr herbet img

About Dr. Herbert Propper, Ph.D., TEP

Dr. Herbert Propper: A Compassionate Teacher and Visionary Psychodramatist

Dr. Herbert Propper — affectionately known as Herb to his students — was a gifted psychodramatist, an inspiring teacher, and a profoundly compassionate human being. With a Ph.D. and the prestigious TEP (Trainer, Educator, Practitioner) certification from the American Board of Examiners, Herb devoted more than four decades to teaching, practicing, and advancing psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy.

Herb’s professional life reflected both excellence and deep commitment. He was a Fellow and lifetime member of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama (ASGPP) and served on the American Board of Examiners, contributing to the growth and ethical stewardship of the field. His work extended far beyond the United States, and in 2009 he was honored as a Fulbright Scholar to Bangladesh, later joining the Fulbright Specialist Roster for his international contributions to psychodrama and education.

In the U.S., Herb served as Professor Emeritus of Theater at Johnson State College in Vermont, where he brought together creativity, embodiment, and emotional exploration. He also directed Celebrations of the Soul, a center dedicated to psychodrama, sociodrama, and sociometry. His connection with India was especially meaningful — as the Resident Trainer for the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, Herb conducted workshops across Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, touching countless lives and training an entire generation of practitioners.

Beyond his academic and professional credentials, Herb’s teaching was deeply influenced by his spiritual path. As an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk under Lama Norlha Rinpoche and an authorized teacher of basic meditation, he brought warmth, presence, and a grounded sense of compassion into every session. His ability to blend mindfulness with psychodramatic action made his work uniquely transformative.

Herb’s students often said that he lived and breathed psychodrama. His unparalleled spontaneity, creativity, and his extraordinary talent for doubling — stepping into another’s emotional experience with empathy and clarity — made his sessions unforgettable. Herb didn’t simply teach psychodrama; he embodied it, modeling authenticity, courage, and connection in every space he entered.

Herb’s legacy continues in the hearts of those he trained, inspired, and supported. Through them, his spirit of creativity, compassion, and wholehearted presence lives on.

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Rashmi Sundaram

Rashmi Sundaram is a dedicated Supervised Practitioner with the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy, committed to supporting individuals on their journey toward emotional well-being.

She began her Psychodrama training with Dr. Herbert Propper, and her primary trainer is Norma Kay Lord. She holds an MA in Psychology (Counselling) and is also pursuing advanced-level training in Transactional Analysis. In addition, Rashmi is a Certified QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper and a Dot Listener. She is committed to continuous learning, ensuring that each individual she works with receives thoughtful, grounded, and informed guidance.

As the creator and host of the mental well-being podcast “Let’s Talk”, she brings meaningful conversations on healing, resilience, and self-understanding to a wider community. Her vision is to create safe community spaces where people can form genuine human connections.

She also serves as a Board Member in the India Board of Psychodrama, currently in its formation stage.

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Ulka Shenoy

Ulka Shenoy is a passionate Special Educator with over a decade of experience supporting learners with diverse needs and empowering them to thrive in academic and emotional spaces. With a deep commitment to inclusive education, she has spent years working closely with students, families, and educators to foster environments where every child feels seen, understood, and capable.

Ulka is also on an enriching Psychodrama journey under the guidance of her primary trainer, Norma Kay Lord. Her expanding work in psychodrama allows her to bring creative, experiential, and compassionate approaches into her practice—helping individuals and groups explore emotional well-being through expressive and action-based methods.

Dedicated to bridging the worlds of mental health and education, Ulka envisions introducing mental wellness awareness more meaningfully into schools and colleges. Her mission is to help young people develop emotional literacy, resilience, and healthier relationships—with themselves and with others.

With her combined expertise in special education and psychodrama, Ulka strives to build supportive, empathetic, and inclusive communities where both students and educators can simultaneously grow and flourish.

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Mukta Awasthi

Mukta Awasthi is a Social Worker, Counsellor, and Mental Health Practitioner with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals through emotional and psychological challenges. A committed learner and practitioner, she began her Psychodrama journey in 2022 with Dr. Herbert Propper and continued her advanced training under her primary trainer, Norm Kay Lord.

Mukta’s professional background includes extensive training in facilitation, public speaking, and impactful communication, which laid the foundation for her passion in counselling. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology.

She is a certified practitioner of Metaphor Therapy, Family Constellation, Reiki, and NLP (Master Level). Her therapeutic approach integrates Cognitive Therapy, Metaphor Therapy, Drawing Analysis, and other expressive modalities that access the subconscious mind through imagery, colour, and imagination—often enabling clients to experience transformative breakthroughs in just a few sessions.

Mukta is the creator of “Baat Bindaas!”, a workshop designed to help adolescents navigate the emotional, physical, and psychological complexities of their teenage years. She also facilitates an intensive Stress Management Workshop, guiding individuals to cultivate deep and lasting inner calm using practical, holistic tools.

She is the Founder of "Sparsh Centre for Understanding & Counselling", where her mission is to transform lives with compassion, clarity, and conscious connection—one person at a time.

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Clark Baim

Clark Baim, PhD, is a Senior Trainer in Psychodrama Psychotherapy (UKCP, BPA) and Director of the Birmingham Institute for Psychodrama in the UK. He is also on the faculty of the Family Relations Institute, based in Reggio Emilia, Italy and Miami, USA.

He was recently the Honorary President of the British Psychodrama Association and is a recipient of the BPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and the ASGPP’s David Kipper Scholar’s Award. Clark has more than thirty years of experience in groupwork, group psychotherapy and staff training, focusing on work in prisons, probation centres and forensic hospitals.

He has run psychodrama groups in prisons and has travelled to more than 33 countries to deliver training in psychodrama, attachment theory, forensic psychotherapy, supervision, and experiential methods in groupwork.

Clark has published widely in the fields of attachment, forensic treatment, psychodrama, co-working and applied theatre. A native of Chicago, USA, he has lived in the UK since 1987.

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Dr. Scott Giacomucci

Dr. Scott Giacomucci, DSW, LCSW, BCD, CGP, FAAETS, TEP, is the Director/Founder of the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy in Media, Pennsylvania. He teaches trauma-focused psychodrama as an Adjunct Professor & Research Associate at Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and frequently offers training workshops around the world.

He is the author of Trauma-Focused Psychodrama: Experiential Therapy for Complex PTSD (Forthcoming, 2026) Social Work, Sociometry, & Psychodrama (2021, 500,000+ downloads), Trauma-Informed Principles in Group Therapy, Psychodrama, and Organizations (2023), along with multiple research studies, articles, and book chapters.

His YouTube channel reaches a few thousand people each day, providing free education for professionals and community members.

He is Co-Chief-Editor of the Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy, co-chair of the research committee of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy & Psychodrama, board member of Philadelphia Area Group Psychotherapy Society, and a member of the Social & Collective Trauma Committee of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy.

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Jennie Krystal

Jennie Kristel, MA, REAT, APTT, received her degree in expressive therapies from Lesley University in 1986 and her REAT credential in 2014. She is a visiting instructor at Lesley University and has worked in a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical settings and populations, including inpatient and outpatient hospitals, around issues of grief, loss, trauma, and anxiety.

She is in private practice, working with survivors of human trafficking, domestic and sexual violence, anxiety disorders, disability, and depression. She is an adjunct instructor at Lesley University and offers workshops and training in expressive arts therapy, Playback Theatre, and "The Listening Hour" internationally, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Her background in theatre also informs her work. Currently, she is focusing her work on transgenerational and ancestral trauma and the forces that shaped the persons and their relationships: personally, spiritually, and collectively, using Sociometry, Playback Theatre and expressive art therapy.She is a professional artist focusing on mixed media and has trained extensively in printmaking.

She has long been a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and is the co-coordinator of the Northeast IEATA chapter and sits on the Board of IEATA as Co-Chair of the Governance committee.

She has supervised individuals in expressive arts therapy for over 7 years and thoroughly enjoys the process of supporting people in this field. She has written on using the arts in therapy, including co-writing Using Art Therapy in Diverse Populations: Crossing Cultures and Abilities, and published chapters and articles about using the arts in the community, postpartum care, and grief.

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Cissy Rock

Cissy Rock studied Psychodrama with the Australian Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association (AANZPA) and is an accredited Sociodramatist. Through her collective Community Think, she engages in campaigns, place-based community development, large-scale community facilitation processes, workshops, and supervision. Cissy’s approach is collaborative, dedicated, and passionate. Using Morenian methods, Cissy addresses symptoms of inclusion, exclusion, and patronisation, working within the dynamics of systems in ways that develop and build social cohesion.

Cissy leads sessions at Wellington’s Theatre of Spontaneity that are open to the general public and runs Sociodrama groups in Wellington and Auckland. Cissy has also taken sociodrama to the Fringe Festival, using the Living Newspaper in a show called We Are the Drama. You can watch a video clip here. Cissy is the President of AANZPA and a Trustee for the International Association of Community Development.

Cissy has presented Sociodrama workshops at World Community Development Conferences in Scotland 2019 and Darwin 2023, at the International Facilitation Conference in Canberra 2023, at One Day Wonder Conference in Melbourne 2022, 2023, 2024, the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama Los Angeles Conference 2024, and the 8th International Sociodrama Conference in Budapest 2024.

Cissy lives in Petone in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, and enjoys drinking coffee, eating cinnamon brioche, traveling, and building connections wherever she goes.

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