A true psychological thriller — “In Session”
Image: Saria Green and Xi Liu, IN SESSION: PSYCHOTHERAPY IN PLAY. Credit: Nicola Bailey
In Session: Psychotherapy in Play is a unique new work by emerging artists, Xi Liu and Saria Green, who are also both clinical psychologists. The work is a blend of theatre, performance art, and group therapy, with Liu and Green alternating being therapist and client each night in real-time, genuine therapy sessions.
The show is making its debut as part of Sydney Fringe and, to Green and Liu’s knowledge, will be the first time anything like this has been done on stage anywhere in the world.
“We were inspired by Fritz and Laura Perls’ experimental therapy performances in front of live audiences in downtown New York City during the 1950s, but we wanted to approach it in a way that prioritizes ethics and safeguards participants,” says Liu.
While the famous Perls sessions were conducted with actual clients, Liu and Green have elected to take turns in being the client, as a way of ensuring privacy and safety. However, when each is in the role of client, they are bringing their authetic self and allowing vulnerability.
“[It’s] is a real, unscripted experience where the actor playing the therapist doesn’t know what issue will be brought into the room each night. What unfolds during the performance is genuine therapy, not a simulation. The client character is a blend of our clients’ experiences and our own, drawing from real memories and stories that are worked through live, in front of the audience,” explains Liu.
Both Liu and Green have spent time as clients in therapy, so that aspect of the show will not be novel.
“However, surrendering to the process in front of a live audience is different,” says Liu, “it requires us to expose our raw emotions, hoping the audience experiences transformation as we do.”
The inspiration for In Session: Psychotherapy in Play came about last year when Green and Liu met for coffee to brainstorm ways they could produce an innovative work together. Both are queer, creative, community-minded and have an expertise in Schema Therapy.
“In the late 1980s, Dr. Jeffrey Young developed Schema Therapy to help people recognize and change harmful patterns stemming from unmet childhood needs,” explains Liu. “While undergoing Gestalt therapy—a modality developed by Fritz and Laura Perls that emphasizes self-awareness and the present moment—he was inspired to create Schema Therapy, which integrates elements from various powerful therapeutic traditions.”
In Session: Psychotherapy in Play is an improvised 60-minute live therapy session which will explore strong emotional issues and possibly uncomfortable territory.
“We may explore themes of trauma, grief, mental health struggles and themes of intersecting sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia,” advises Liu.
Each night, the performance will be followed by a 30-minute Q & A session so that audience members can share their thoughts and gain further insight.
“The desired outcome is for the audience to feel as though they are peeking into an intimate world that they typically wouldn’t have access to,” says Liu. “While they may begin the show feeling uncomfortable or intrigued, we hope that by witnessing the therapy session, they learn something about themselves and experience a sense of vicarious healing.”
