Ancestral psychodrama: The Genogram in Action

by Judy Swallow, MA LCAT TEP

Nature versus nurture – you’ve all heard that; it makes some lively discussions. And yet we are now learning through neurobiology that sometimes experiences from earlier generations echo in our genes.

These recent discoveries suggest all the more reason to pay attention to our ancestry, to learn about those who have gone before, and to acknowledge or imagine what they have gone through in their lives. We can paint ourselves as part of the great chain of human beings, using our family history as the colors and shapes which have informed us (consciously or unconsciously) of who we are. Knowing the  history of our family in times of stress or in times of joy, during historic events on the familial, national or world stage, can help us understand attitudes and frames of reference handed down. We can begin to uncover the strengths and vulnerabilities of family legacies and their impact on the lives of those who came before us and on those of us in the present day.

Bowen family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in the unit. It is the nature of a family that its members are intensely connected emotionally. Murray Bowen has said that nothing can be learned about a family unless at least three generations have been explored.

Once we get a better picture of our family’s spoken and unspoken rules, expectations and dreams we can begin to see how they impact our behaviors and choices in the present day and can decide to honor, accept or change these.

One useful way to explore our ancestry is to create a genogram which is a way to map at least three generations of the family tree. Looking at it, we might start to see patterns of interpersonal connection, of geography, of vocation, of illness and death, of personal characteristics, and more.

Another way to explore our heritage is to step into the shoes of our ancestors though Ancestral Psychodrama. It’s a totally different experience to take on someone‘s personality, to feel the circumstances of life from their point of view and to create an emotionally intimate connection with them. Under the direction of a professional psychodramatist  group members can explore their heritage using action methods including encounter, role reversal, doubling, sculpture, timeline, and mirroring.

It’s amazing how sometimes, even when there is very little factual evidence, a person can learn a lot about the hopes and dreams, failures and motivations of someone just by trying on their role. We learn a great deal by taking on their role in body, mind and spirit, gaining more insight into the legacy we have inherited, Including intergenerational trauma and it impact on us today. We can even begin to change the future!

An example:
G., a 50 year old black woman who is a lawyer and a social worker,  was unable to allow herself to show vulnerability, ask for help,  seek support or  allow herself the much needed relief of tears. In an Ancestral Psychodrama G  stepped into the shoes of her great grandmother, her grandmother and her mother and was able to learn where the message of ‘be a  Strong, Black Woman’ came from, going back three generations. This family motto was developed and reinforced as female ancestors each faced tremendous pain stemming from slavery, sexual assault, racism and/or educational limitations. Being a “ Strong, Black Woman”  was important for survival. Showing any vulnerability could lead to devastating repercussions.

In her own words G writes “I called this psychodrama The Tyranny of Tears and it was about my discomfort with crying in public. After that psychodrama, I understood why I desperately tried to stifle my tears. My great grandmother and grandmother did not have the luxury of shedding tears. I held in my body generations of socially mandated suppression of suffering. The ancestral psychodrama helped me reframe the “shame” of tears to reclaim the “rightful” shedding of tears. I cry much more freely and am willing to accept help more often. As a Black woman, I now believe I have the power to heal myself and the women in my family…past, present and future.”

Another example:
16 y/o B wanted to better understand her grandfather’s distrust of neighbors which had led him into many conflicts. She had certainly heard his stories any times, but it was when she stepped into the role of her grandfather that she began to understand viscerally. He, at age eight, had left Austria in 1939, after the Nazis had taken over. In his role, she experienced his confusion and fear upon finding that the neighbors and shopkeepers, who had been so kind to him and his mother, had abruptly changed to anti-Semitic bullies. In addition, as a result of this, B had the chance to develop more empathy for the refugees who are spreading over this planet.

However, there may be people in a genogram that whose roles we would NOT want to inhabit. However, we may have something to say to them and need a safe place for others to witness our  saying our  truth. This is where a psychodrama group is invaluable For example, there may have been someone in a family of origin who was cruel or violent, and whose impact on others took a toll. We may want to confront that person psychodramatically, letting them know the horrible repercussions of their actions. In real life, it probably would not have been safe to say the things that needed to be said. However, with the group as a witness, we can say or do what needed to have happened. We could also address the people who had been harmed, and could reassure them the way they perhaps were not comforted in the past.

An example:
As 37 y/0 C. began to address his drug addiction he become aware of how he had  been impacted by his father’s rages. Through Ancestral Psychodrama, he became aware of how deeply wounded his father had been by C. grandfather’s alcoholic rages. He certainly didn’t need to reverse roles with someone in the throes of addiction. He did, however, need to confront this grandfather psychodramatically. And then he needed to role reverse with his father’s young self, so that he could develop compassion for that child. This helped C. move towards forgiveness of his father, an important step on his own road to recovery.

Through action explorations of generational patterns of thought and behavior, we can get more insight into the systems by which we are socialized. If the way we see the world drives our actions in the world, are we satisfied? Or might we want to try on different ways to view our lives and situations leading to deeper understanding and more  behavioral options? Psychodrama offers a safe and creative way to explore these possibilities.

Judy Swallow, MA LCAT TEP is co-founder of HVPI and senior trainer. Judy was a senior psychodramatis in Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, NY. She is certified and Family Therapist and has had over 45 years of experience in private practice working with couples and individuals.