Workshop Description
Join esteemed Michigan criminal defense attorney Patrick Barone and renowned Arizona sentence mitigation expert attorney Doug Passon for an immersive two-day workshop exploring innovative approaches to sentence mitigation in criminal law cases.
Who are Workshop Leaders?
Hosted by Patrick Barone of the Michigan Psychodrama Center, in conjunction with Set for Sentencing’s Doug Passon, participants in this highly interactive workshop, will be introduced to the various building blocks of psychodrama, which may include scene setting, doubling, role reversal, concretization, and encounter.
Why Psychodrama?
Psychodrama is an action method of psychotherapy that has long been viewed as a highly effective tool for trial preparation and presentation.
But did you know that psychodrama is also an incredible tool for preparing lawyers, clients, and witnesses for SENTENCING?
Therefore, come learn with us how to use this incredible tool to create more compelling plea negotiation and sentence mitigation narratives for your clients.
What Will Participants Experience?
Through interactive exercises, case studies, and discussions, attendees will gain hands-on experience and actionable strategies to enhance their advocacy skills and achieve better sentencing outcomes for their clients.
How Will The Workshop Leaders Work Together?
In this “learn by doing” 12-hour CLE program, Patrick imparts the basics of psychodrama and the social atom. Doug assimilates this information, explains and demonstrates how we use the social atom to develop compelling sentence mitigation narratives that allow the decision makers (prosecutors and judges) to reach a deeper understanding of how our clients got in trouble and what they have done or will do to achieve redemption.
Why Did You Choose the Social Atom?
The social atom model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the social dynamics surrounding an individual and exploring further avenues of mitigation, while the ABT narrative template offers a structured approach to crafting compelling and persuasive sentencing narratives once the mitigation information is uncovered and developed.
What Will Participants Learn?
In this dynamic workshop, participants will learn to leverage the powerful combination of the social atom model from psychodrama and the ABT (And, But, Therefore) narrative template, as outlined in Doug Passon’s groundbreaking book “Narrative Gym for Law.”
What is The Social Atom Model?
The social atom will be utilized as a tool for exploring your client’s story and bringing it to life using the modalities of psychodrama. The social atom is an innovative tool originally developed by Dr. J. L. Moreno, the inventor of psychodrama. It is a simple to use diagnostic map of a person’s social connections. The social atom can be creatively explored to delve into your client’s emotional life and biographical history.
What is the Purpose of the Workshop?
This workshop designed to help you make sure your client’s story is well told, and to thereby empower decision makers to arrive at more favorable and just results.
So it’s all About Story?
This workshop designed to help you make sure your client’s story is well told, and to thereby empower decision makers to arrive at more favorable and just results.
Key Takeaways
- Integrated Approach to Advocacy: Learn how to seamlessly integrate the social atom model and the ABT narrative template into your advocacy toolkit, enabling you to develop comprehensive and persuasive sentencing narratives.
- Narrative Crafting Mastery: Explore the principles of narrative structure and storytelling techniques, and discover how to apply the ABT template to construct compelling narratives that resonate with judges, juries, and other stakeholders.
- Targeted Mitigation Strategies: Utilize the insights gained from the social atom model to identify and highlight relevant mitigating factors, and learn how to strategically incorporate them into your sentencing narratives for maximum impact.
- Effective Communication Skills: Develop communication strategies for effectively conveying the complexities of your clients’ lives within the framework of the ABT narrative template, fostering greater understanding and empathy among decision-makers.
- Ethical Considerations and Professional Growth: Examine the ethical implications of narrative advocacy and gain insights into professional development opportunities for honing your skills in crafting persuasive sentencing narratives.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
The seminar will take place Oct. 18, 2024 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Oct. 19, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in the walk-able City of Birmingham, Michigan, only 30 min from Detroit Metro Airport.
There will be a lunch break on day two allowing participants to dine at one of the many nearby excellent restaurants. Snacks and light refreshments will be served.
WORKSHOP DATES AND COST
Friday, October 18, 2024 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM / Saturday, October 19, 2024 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
$199.00 plus a small processing fee (collected by and for Eventbrite).
Arizona CLE as well as ABE psychodrama training hours will be available for participants upon request.
Proposed Workshop Schedule:
Starting Friday, October 18th, the workshop will begin with 3 hours of sociometry, which is an essential trial skill for lawyer. As a homework assignment each student will prepare their own social atom.
The following day seminar participants will learn how to utilize the social atom as a tool to deeply discovery their client’s life stories, and then how to use this information to develop a plea and sentence mitigation narrative.
Day One: Sociometry and Group Building
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sociometry, developed by Jacob L. Moreno, is a critical component of psychodrama. In group building, sociometry is utilized to foster positive relationships, cohesion, and trust among group members.
Overall, sociometry serves as a valuable tool for understanding and optimizing group dynamics, promoting engagement, and enhancing the effectiveness of teamwork and collaboration.
Day Two: Session 1
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Day One will begin with a brief presentation on the social atom model and its application in understanding individual behavior within social contexts.
Hands-on exercises where participants apply the social atom model to analyze interpersonal relationships and group dynamics. Facilitated discussions to explore insights and observations from the exercises
Day Two: Session 2
10:30 AM-11:45 AM
Hands-on exercises where participants apply the social atom model to analyze interpersonal relationships and group dynamics. Facilitated discussions to explore insights and observations from the exercises
Day Two: Session 4
Discussion regarding how to use the social atom to “discovery” the client’s story, and use the ABT template to create a compelling sentencing Narrative.
The workshop will end with an oen forum for participants to ask questions, seek clarification, and share reflections on the workshop experience.
Leaders will provide the group with a summary of key takeaways and actionable insights gained throughout the two-day workshop
Day Two: Session 3
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Presentation on the ABT (And, But, Therefore) communication tool and its application in crafting compelling narratives. Explanation of the principles and structure of the ABT template.
Hands-on exercises where participants apply the ABT communication tool to real-world case studies, and facilitated group discussions to analyze and critique narrative strategies.
Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to sentence mitigation and elevate your advocacy skills with the innovative techniques explored in this engaging workshop.
Join us for two days of immersive learning and practical skill-building, and take the next step towards achieving justice for your clients.
Contact the Michigan Psychodrama Center, Patrick Barone or Doug Passon for more information.