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The East Side Institute
welcomes you!

An international center for the study of social therapeutics and performance activism — bringing human and community development to the forefront of culture change and social transformation, and promoting alternative and radically humanizing approaches to psychology, education and community building.

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The Power of Revolutionary Play

Watch Lois Holzman’s TEDx presentation, “Play Helps Us Grow at Any Age”
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The Institute introduces its new podcast, “All Power to the Developing,” featuring conversation with developmentalists worldwide – each a beating heart in this all too cruel world.

All Power to the Developing

The International Class

Because what the world needs now is creativity, community and development! A year-long exploration of the Institute’s social-therapeutic, performatory approach to social activism and community building, led by Lois Holzman and faculty. Read the stories of our talented alumni HERE.

Enrollment for the class of 2023/2024 opens in January.

Meet Our Social Therapy and Emotional Development faculty!

Headed by Joyce Dattner, it includes Majo Castrillo, Ann Green, Hugh Polk, MD, Barbara Silverman and Rachel Mickenberg.
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Fred Newman

Co-founder Fred Newman — the creator of social therapy — led the Institute with Lois Holzman until his death in 2011. The author of numerous books and plays, he was the catalyst for building community-based developmental psychological, educational and cultural projects independently funded and volunteer driven. Read More

Social Therapeutics:
A Vygotskian / Wittgensteinian Synthesis

See some favorite quotes from Wittgenstein

A Hub for Social Activists —

Performance Activism now in Japanese

Announcing the Japanese publication of Performance Activism by Dan Friedman (Shinyosha, 2025), translated by Institute Associate, Professor Yuji Moro.

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International Class Stories

“How shall we build together?” Introducing Vera Erac, a member of the 2004/2005 inaugural International Class. Vera shares her personal/political journey as a dancer, psychologist and community builder, and her developing passion for ensemble creativity and its relevance to our world today.

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Associate News

The New York Amsterdam News has published a profile on Dr. Jessie Fields highlighting her work leading Institute initiative, Creating Our Mental Health—Jessie Fields: Changing Lives through medicine art and activism.

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Initiatives & Alliances —

Becoming a Book!

Lois Holzman’s “The Developmentalist” advice column is the centerpiece of a provocative new guide to better mental health — “an invitation to transform!”

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Developing Across Borders

Step onto a world stage and grow! At a time of extraordinary uncertainty, Developing Across Borders welcomes participants from across the world into a weekly, virtual, group-building activity.

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Meet the New Associates

Welcome our new Associates! Harouna Abdoulaye, Elizabeth Oyarese Adams, Yvette Alcott, Etty Elise Dafni, Bernard Einsiedler, Madhu Einsiedler, Louis Hinman, Chakradhar Iyyunni , Tamara Krneta, Morgane Masterman, Kate McGlynn, Eileen Moncoeur, and Shelley Schwartz.

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FEATURED CONVERSATION—

Suffering, Victimization
& the Tyranny of Trauma

In this fascinating conversation, public philosopher, author & activist Báyò Akómoláfé embarks on a “Meandering Search for Method” with developmentalist Lois Holzman – bringing his transjective/transversal framework of trauma into play with Holzman’s practical-critical engagement of scientific psychology. Hosted by Janet Wootten.

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