... The theoretical and practical backbone of psp

The main theoretical part of PSP involves the entire amalgam of the fundamental philosophy that underlies Gestalt psychotherapy, with no necessary reference whatsoever to the psychotherapeutic praxis.

And this is so because of the growing use of the so called “Gestalt theory” in non-therapeutic fields too (e.g. education, workplaces, artistic creation), in the form of an integrated existentialist perception of the human being, which permeates the entire PSP.

At the same time, the theoretical part of PSP includes two other groups of “special” concepts:

The first group of these concepts refer to the original dimensions acquired by onstage improvisation when “seen” through the Gestalt philosophy.

In other words, some parts of the onstage improvisation theory and praxis are at first being selected as “raw material”. Then, these parts, under the “Gestalt theory”, are detached from the goals and ways that would normally be dictated just by “artistic” creation.

The second group of “special” concepts included in the theoretical part of PSP, have been invented especially in order to link even more tightly the Gestalt philosophy and the art of improvisation: (a) the “personal film”, (b) the “motive”, (c) the bodily sense in PSP, and (d) a flexible “model” that would allow one to design exercises for PSP applications (“1000+1 exercises for the onstage process of contact”).

The practical PSP applications and tools, adapted to the each time needs and goals, may be designed from this amalgam of the Gestalt philosophy and the art of improvisation.

So, in a sense, PSP is not exactly a “new” approach with regard to the majority of its structural elements. It is “new”, however:

(a) in the sense of the “original” which emerges when elements of the Gestalt philosophy are integrated with various elements of onstage improvisation, and

(b) due to the character of the “special” concepts which have been on purpose invented so as to bridge those two groups of elements even more solidly.

... What psp is not

PSP draws elements from all the following fields, and combines, merges and transforms them into its own building blocks. In this sense, PSP:

... is not a psychotherapy proposal,

... is not a form of “art-therapy”,

... is not a theory of theatre and dramaturgy,

... as an approach, is not identical (with regard to structure and goals) to drama-therapy, psychodrama, animation, or theatrical game,

... is not a variant of Playback Theatre.