Jacob and Zerka Moreno

Jacob Levy Moreno (1889-1974) studied medicine, mathematics, and philosophy at the University of Vienna, becoming a Doctor of Medicine in 1917. In 1932, Moreno first introduced group psychotherapy to the American Psychiatric Association. For the next 40 years he developed and introduced his Theory of Interpersonal Relations and tools for social sciences he called ‘sociodrama’, ‘psychodrama’, ‘sociometry’, and ‘sociatry’.  In 1949 he married Zerka (nee Toeman) Moreno, working together until his death in 1974.

Zerka Moreno, TEP, (1917-2016) along with her late husband, J.L. Moreno, developed the theory and practice of psychodrama. Zerka taught psychodrama worldwide for more than 30 years since J.L. Moreno’s death and is recognized as a leader in further realizing his vision. Her research and writing can now be found in a collection, The Quintessential Zerka: Writings by Zerka T. Moreno on Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy.