Hans-Werner Gessmann
1950–2023 · German psychologist and university professor in Russia
Hans-Werner Gessmann (Duisburg, 1950 – 2023) was a German psychologist and university professor who spent much of his career in Russia. He is best remembered as the founder of humanistic psychodrama therapy, a variant of psychodrama with a humanistic orientation that applies dramatic enactment to therapeutic work.
Born on 24 March 1950 in Duisburg, he devoted his work to applied psychology and to training professionals within the Russian academic world. His efforts earned him recognition such as the 2010 prize for international communication between Russia and Germany, and honorary professorships at universities in Kostroma, Nekrasov and Moscow between 2010 and 2014.
His legacy lies mainly in spreading humanistic psychodrama as a therapeutic method and in the bridge he built between German and Russian psychology. He died in 2023.
Key ideas
- Humanistic psychodrama: a therapeutic method that uses dramatic enactment with a humanistic orientation.
- Cultural bridge: his work sought to bring German and Russian psychology closer together.
- University teaching: his academic activity in Russia led to his recognition as an honorary professor.
Original Filopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikidata.