The workshop offers an introduction to puppet therapy and therapeutic use of puppets, beginning with a live demonstration that involves audience participation. A period of questions and answers regarding the technique and the components of the in vivo experience will be discussed. Participants will be guided to begin creating a healing story with a particular puppet to meet their needs, e.g. in the classroom, at workshops, in meetings, and/or in churches. Basic puppetry mechanics will be reviewed, with feedback on the form necessary for effective puppet therapy and therapeutic use of puppets. Multicultural videotaped sessions of client’s therapeutic work (both adult and children) will be shared. Discussion of current research regarding the use of puppets in psychotherapy will be mentioned. Packets of information regarding specific suggestions about using puppet therapy and therapeutic use of puppets, including practice materials, will be distributed.
Dr. Joanne Vizzini, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor.
She received her Master’s of Science Degree from Loyola College, Columbia, Maryland in September 1997. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Loyola College, Columbia, Maryland in January 2003.
Currently Dr. Vizzini is an adjunct faculty member in the graduate program of Pastoral Counseling at Loyola College, Maryland. She also supervises Master's level interns.
Dr. Vizzini offers workshops and puppet therapy sessions for groups, individuals, or families. Dr. Vizzini developed the workshop Accessing Inner Voices©: Successful Use of Puppet Therapy With Adults for the 2000 American Counseling Association’s International Conference. Her workshops provide clinical data for use of puppet therapy with adults whose diagnoses includes depression, bereavement, anxiety, schizophrenia. posttraumatic stress disorder, issues of co-dependency, substance abuse, and/or adjustment disorder. Participants experience a live demonstration and view videotaped clinical vignettes. Hands-on practice with puppets can aid the beginning puppet therapist. Workshop attendees receive a helpful packet of information regarding the practice of puppet therapy.
Dr. Vizzini presented "Effective Use of Puppet Therapy Across the Ages" for the 2001 American Counseling Association's International Congress. She expanded her information to include working with youth and children. In the spring of 2003, Dr. Vizzini presented her doctoral research at the American Psychological Association's Mid-Winter Religious Research Conference regarding use of her puppet therapy model at Hazelton, an inpatient chemical dependency center.
Dr. Vizzini has used puppet therapy in adult residential intensive outpatient and outpatient settings. Private and public school counselors may benefit from using puppet therapy with children and families. Dr. Vizzini blends her 22 years as a puppeteer with her creative means of reaching clients with puppets who act as the therapist©. The gentle disarming and humorous approach of puppetry is a tool to bypass resistance and aid the client in exploring issues that may be difficult to share. The healing potential is literally at one’s fingertips.
