Four Day Marae Based Intensive Psychodrama Workshop 2019 (Karitane)

Sara Crane is a TEP and  Psychodramatist.  She is the Director of Training for PANZ  Ōtepoti Dunedin and Ōtautahi Christchurch and works as a visiting trainer in Brisbane.  Sara’s love of psychodrama is grounded in her belief in the transformative power of spontaneity and human connection. 

Sara has worked across multiple regions and sectors, giving her a rich understanding of the varied applications of psychodrama. She supports individuals and groups in navigating complex relational issues including a focus on family dynamics and extensive work with children in the context of their Whanau. She was involved in setting up START which was formed to provide clinical services to people who had survived sexual trauma.  She has worked at a systemic organisational level including supervising teams within the NZ Ministry of Justice and attending to children and families in the legal system. She enjoys working with complex family systems supporting them to mediate conflicts and achieve healthier, more supportive relationships.

 Sara is deeply concerned about the state of our changing world and the pressure and challenges for our communities. As a trainer, she seeks to support trainees to strengthen their abilities and develop their professional capacities to make a difference. 

As a member of AANZPA, she has taken on several roles (President, Journal Editor) and appreciates the opportunities to participate in conferences and the ongoing life of the association.

Sara is a Registered Psychotherapist (PBANZ) and Advanced Clinical Practice Certificate (NZAP).

For her solace, Sara loves to write flash fiction, finding joy in the brevity and emotional depth of the form. Her dogs, cats and llamas continue to be beloved companions in both her outdoor adventures and some of her professional work. Psychodrama has enabled her to bring the threads of her life together and pass on the complexities and wisdom of the method.

Hamish is a Psychodramatist and Trainer Educator Practitioner (TEP). He delivers training in Aotearoa New Zealand through the Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin Campuses of PANZ.  

Hamish is a psychotherapist who has worked in private practice since 2002. He sees a wide range of clients including individuals, couples and groups. He was appointed to the Psychotherapy Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ) in 2016 and served as the PBANZ Chair between 2020 and 2023.

Hamish has been an organisational consultant since 1997. He has worked in several countries on projects including training people in group facilitation, and leadership and has led large-scale projects oriented to producing systemic and organisational change.  He co-founded Phoenix Facilitation in 2008 to provide organisational consulting based on Moreno's social theories.

Hamish holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and a Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution from Massey University,

Hamish is the father of two grown-up daughters. He grew up on a farm near Kaikohe in Te Tai Tokerau and is now based in West Auckland. In his spare time, he loves playing contract bridge.

Simon Gurnsey is an AANZPA Sociometrist and Trainer Educator Practitioner in training (TEPit). He provides training in PANZ Dunedin and Christchurch Campuses. He has held various leadership roles within the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association, including Treasurer on the executive committee and was the AANZPA Membership Administrator for many years. Psychodrama has been his passion and delight since he first experienced it in the late 1980s.

Simon is deeply committed to helping groups and individuals grow and develop in a way that produces thriving organisations. He combines his love for psychodrama with playback theatre to create a unique approach to personal and professional development, leading workshops and programs that empower people to tap into their spontaneity, creativity and relational potential.

In his work with NGO organisations, he works to enable a systemic orientation that integrates a focus on the community, the developmental and the political spheres enabling effective organisations ready to take action. His current focus is exploring how psychodrama can foster inclusion and equity in professional settings. He has been published in AANZPA's journal, where he shares his insights on sociometry and leadership within the NFP sector.

Simon holds qualifications in the management of Not for Profits. His experience in NFPs complements his psychodrama work. This enables him to integrate broader theories of human development, organisational dynamics and interpersonal communication into his practice,  helping them to navigate complexity with greater clarity and spontaneity.

Simon is a creative person with a passion for woodworking and sculpture. He brings authenticity, curiosity, and warmth to all aspects of his life. He shares his Whāngarei Heads home with Sara Crane, their dogs, cats, chickens and a small herd of llamas.