Ethical and Procedural Guidelines for TELE’DRAMA (ONLINE) Training
(Abbreviated version)

Dear Group Member,

Entering the ZoomRoom is like entering a physical room where people are sitting in a circle, having a chance to warm up to each other, to work on an issue, to share; to be playful and expressive, spontaneous, and creative.
TELE'DRAMA is a method for offering psychodrama and other action methods' training, counseling and other interventions by using an online video conferencing approach - the ZoomRoom International. TELE'DRAMA is an especially important part of the future of action methods and is a bridge between countries and cultures.  It offers to include everyone, regardless of their location, financial status, physical ability to travel, busy schedule or family obligations.
Created as a method and coined as a term by DANIELA SIMMONS. Ph.D., TEP, TELE'DRAMA was gradually developed and experimented Since the Fall of 2017.

Utilizing Video-conferencing software with visual and sound technology for creating a virtual room; along with modification of the classical action methods' techniques, the director and the group (or the individual) from locations around the world are able to communicate, self-express and experience as if they were together in the same physical location.

The term "TELE'DRAMA" (with an apostrophe between TELE & DRAMA) was created to provide an original meaning. Its etymology comes from the Greek têle, "at a distance" and drama (δρᾶμα) "action". The term "TELE'DRAMA" also refers to J.L.Moreno's (the founder of psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy) term of 'tele' - "An inter-personal experience, growing out from person to person ... and gradually developing the sense for inter-personal relations".  (Moreno J.L. & Jennings H.H. (1938), Statistics of Social Configurations. Sociometry. 1).

TELE’DRAMA modules are offered for groups and are influenced by the group dynamics. Working in online groups is a process similar to working in the physical space, where you will have an opportunity to understand more about yourself and others in a safe environment.
 
Confidentiality
You are welcome to share more or less about yourself while in the group, however, the more open you are the better the experience you will have.
Even though you are attending training, you might be sharing information in group that is sensitive and personal. It is important that you feel comfortable in the online environment of the group training. All members of the group will be asked to agree to a high level of confidentiality in the online group sessions. This means that each participant agrees not to share any other group member’s identifying and personal information with others. It is appropriate to share your personal reaction and feelings about group with others, but please do not share other people’s stories or other information with anyone outside of the group.
 
Safety
Safety is particularly important in our practice as psychodramatists.
Even though it would be safe to direct larger groups than 25 in a physical location, in the ZoomRoom only 25 people can be seen at the same time on one screen. In TELE'DRAMA it is particularly important for the director to be able to observe the group dynamics and each participants' abreactions. Therefore, TELE'DRAMA modules are offered to groups with no more than 25 participants per session.

Groups are international, bringing the richness of various cultures and experiences. Participants will speak with various accents. Respect to cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, is required.
The modules are unique to those who attend and will not be recorded. All participants should refrain of taking pictures of the group and sharing it with others or on social media, without the consent of the whole group.
Participants need to attend while using a quiet and safe place with no other people present in their near-by physical space. Using a headphone is the safest way to participate if there are other people in the same room - as they will be able to hear only your sharing, but not the sharing of others.

Having sufficient indirect lighting on your faces so you can be seen well, is recommended.
All cameras need to be 'on' during the entire session (except when an internet problem occurs). If possible (when there is no noise/echo in the participant's space), the participants are invited to refrain from going on 'mute', for the best experience of spontaneity and creativity.

All participants receive a unique link to connect. Please do not share your link with anyone else.
The ZoomRoom is open 15 min before the actual beginning of the training, and we offer technical assistance to the participants. After the beginning of the session technical support may be difficult to provide.
As the training is online, we want to be sure that we offer options if a problem with an internet connection occurs. If that happens to a participant, their payment will be credited for another module. If the technical issue occurs to the presenters, the training module will be rescheduled.

All participants are expected to arrive 10 min early for the session to start exactly on time. If a participant arrives late and the warmup and sociometric exercises have advanced, the participant may not be allowed to join. Please plan to stay throughout the entire session, including the closure.
Gallery view allows you to see all or most participants at once. To switch from active speaker view, tap Switch to Gallery View in the upper-left corner of the Zoom window. If you do not see the controls, tap your screen to get them to appear. This will switch into gallery view.

Knowing the risks
Sometimes there can be discomfort involved in participating in group training. You may remember unpleasant events or feelings. If these distressful emotions arise during your training, please talk with your group and with your group facilitator. We invite you to refrain from just leaving the meeting and dealing on your own with your experiences. If you prefer, please talk to the director after the meeting in order to receive support.

Thank you for the time and attention that you took to read this document. We look forward to having you in the group!
 
Sincerely,
Daniela Simmons, PhD, TEP
Creator, TELE’DRAMA