Georgia A. Rigg, LCSW, T.E.P., has been a member of the social work field for over forty years, as a practitioner, educator, trainer and program development specialist. She began psychodrama training with the late Leon J. Fine, Ph.D., in l974, and studied with him until his death in l994. She completed her credentials in psychodrama with John R. Mosher, MA, T.E.P., and has incorporated his Healing Circle Model into her work. She trained in psychomotor therapy with the originators of the process, Al and Diane Pesso. The American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama has selected Georgia as the recipient of the 2008 Innovator's Award, for her work in blending psychomotor therapy and psychodrama.

      For the past twenty years, Georgia has specialized in developing treatment processes for adult survivors of abuse and trauma of all kinds. She is a co-director of Two Lakes Psychodrama Institute, located in Bellingham and Anacortes, WA. With Dr. Jack Shupe, she continues to refine the concept of a blended model, in which psychodrama, sociometry, group psychotherapy and psychomotor therapy offer the client and trainees a rich choice of healing processes. Georgia is devoted to creating a workshop and training format which honors the intrinsic worth and dignity of the individual, and one which creates a group climate of warmth, humor, safety and inclusion. She takes particular satisfaction from creating workshops and training programs that meet the needs of different groups and organizations.

      Dr. Jack R. Shupe ND, LAc, FASGPP, TEP, brings insight to the Two Lakes Psychodrama Institute by integrating a blended Five-Element approach in the process of training Psychodrama, Psychomotor Therapy, Sociometry, Group Psychotherapy and Five-Element Oriental Medicine. He received his Certified Practitioner status in 2002, a fellowship with the ASGPP in 2005 and Trainer, Educator and Practitioner certification in 2006. He continues to blend the Fifth Element while using The Quartered Circle model developed by John Mosher as a pattern for staging his work in SoulEnacting Five-Element Therapeutics.

      He has studied Oriental Medicine for over 25 years and has been a licensed Naturopathic Physician for 20 years and brings a drugless therapeutics approach to his healing practice. He has been raising organic gardens for over 35 years and is a Minister, Earth Steward, and Spiritual Healer with the Wholistic Eudaemonians. He brings warmth, calm, compassion, and humor to nurturing the soil of the soul in all of his work. At Two Lakes Psychodrama Institute, he and Georgia Rigg, LCSW, TEP support each other by bringing 12 years experience of working together in the training process of psychodrama, sociometry, group psychotherapy, and psychomotor therapy.

       Associates
      The American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy has established two levels of certification; the first level of Clinical Practitioner (C.P.), and the second, highest level of certification, Trainer, Educator and Practitioner (T.E.P.). The process of attaining the credential for Clinical Practitioner requires many hours of workshop attendance, supervision by a primary trainer who must be a T.E.P., increasing evidence of competence as a director of psychodrama, and completion of an exam process which involves both a written exam, and an “on-site” examination. The T.E.P. credential requires further hours of workshop attendance, supervision, and increased competence in training others in psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy. A written test and an on-site examination are also required for this certification. Those practitioners who have attained the C.P. level may apply to continue in the process, becoming a P.A.T., a Practitioner Applicant in Training; essentially working closely with their primary trainer in the process of learning how to enhance their directorial skills, and to function as a trainer of the method. They are invaluable, creative adjuncts to the teaching and learning processes of the workshops.

      Marianne Shapiro, MA, LMHC, CP, P.A.T., is a Certified Psychodramatist who lives, works and plays in Skagit Valley, WA. She maintains a private practice for individuals and couples, and facilitates monthly training sessions in psychodrama and group psychotherapy for counselors and others interested in applying these methods in their work. She co-facilitates two weekly on-going psychodrama groups, one with Georgia A. Rigg, LCSW, T.E.P., and another with her husband, Robert Shapiro, M.Ed., C.P., who is a T’ai Chi and Qi Gong instructor, Mediator, and Deli Llama Wilderness Adventure mountain trekking guide.

      Marianne believes in the power of human interaction and group work to strengthen the human spirit and to grow better human beings. She fosters the gifts and creativity of those she interacts with, believing strongly that we are not separate, that we are a beloved part of the Whole of mankind, and that we are meant to be one another’s playmates and helpmates. She believes that living and connecting authentically in the present moment is all that we have. Her intention is to make a space for each of us to do that with more humor, trust, feeling, meaning and depth of connection. We are spiritual beings in a human body and we get to live the fullness of both spirit and matter.

      In the summer time Marianne and Bob can be found trekking in the North Cascade mountains with their llamas and people who have chosen to join them for these 3 to 10 day adventures. See their website, www.delillama.com for more information. You can reach Marianne by calling (360) 336-3491, or e-mail mariannes@clearwire.net.
      

      John Skandalis, MA, LMHC, CP, P.A.T., is a licensed mental health counselor with a practice in Seattle, WA. In his practice, he works with individuals and couples. In both instances, his intent is to help them develop greater connection to themselves and with others. He enjoys his work with couples, helping them reconnect, communicate and develop greater intimacy in their relationship. This work helps improve their relational skills, manage conflict more creatively, and create ways for the relationship to flourish. John leads a monthly group for men, with a focus on intimacy and emotional connection. In his work with clients, he makes extensive use of the Healing Circle Model, developed by John Raven Mosher, MA, T.E.P.

      On a weekly basis, John co-leads two corrective parenting groups with Sarah Blum, ARNP, in Auburn, Washington. This work focuses on giving corrective emotional experiences to clients whose needs as children went unmet. The work is emotionally deep and connective. He leads psychodrama workshops incorporating the Healing Circle Model, and in these workshops he helps clients enact their stories and create new endings that give them insight and a renewed hope for a better life.

      John has a deep reverence for and enjoyment of the natural world. He enjoys long summer hiking trips with his son. He is a musician, and imports this talent into the psychodrama workshops. John can be reached at (206) 522-6992, and his website address is www.johnskandalis.com.