ARBN 633105736

In this volume


2005 Vol. 4 No. 1

“Sit Down, Be Quiet” – A Study of the Effectiveness of Dance/Movement Therapy in an After-School Program

Keywords
After-school care, attention getting behaviour, dance movement therapy, education interventions, humanistic psychology

This is an excerpt from the content:

This is an evidenced based research project. The research measured the effects of a dance movement therapy intervention in an after-school care program. The intervention was a therapeutic contract between teacher, dance movement therapist, and first grade students. The number of disciplinary interactions was measured and graphed. The study was designed to compare the number of disciplinary interactions in the classroom when there was no contract, year one, and when there was a contract, year two. A humanistic psychology theoretical framework was used, a model of health rather than pathology, focusing on using the therapeutic contract to increase a sense of safety, support, belonging and intimacy. The study shows that disciplinary interactions decreased dramatically. It is recommended that the study be used to illustrate the use of dance movement therapy in the growing after-school care industry. (pp 2-7)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

 

Early development and symbolic physical action – An email from Joan Chodorow

Keywords
Winnicott, infant-mother attachment, Mary Ainsworth, Charles Stewart, patterns of behaviour, emotions

Joan writes a brief overview of infant-mother attachment pairs of behaviours identified by Mary Ainsworth and her associates in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as additional behaviours identified by Charles Stewart. In conclusion, a schematic view of the behaviours and a reference list on the theories is provided. (pp 8-9)

Read or download PDF

Trance Dance

Keywords
Middle Eastern Dance, Indigenous dance, ecstatic dance, 5 rhythms, Whirling Dervishes, performance

Maria describes her journey with trance dance from her teenage years through to her present practices of facilitating workshops, performing and entertaining. Exemplifying experiences with trance as a spiritual, healing and transforming practice, reference is given to trance dance festivals and workshops and trance embracing cultures including Moroccan, Egyptian and Turkish.  The challenges of marrying performance with trance is explained in connection to a special performance of the Egyptian Zaar, whereby Maria shares her preparation and approach for this event, including her post trance euphoria. (pp 10-13)

Read or download PDF

An interview with G. Hoffman Soto

Keywords
Tamalpa Institute, performance improvisation, somatics, Neuro Linguistic Programming, voice work, group work

This is an excerpt from the content:

“During 2004, one of the students at Tamalpa, Zoi Hall, conducted an email conversation with Soto as a series of classes unfolded. The conversation illustrates the nature of the relationship between his work and dance therapy, and gives insight into an experienced teacher at work; holding participants’ stories and supporting them to express themselves through movement and voice.” (pp 14-18)

Read or download PDF

About Depression on Mind and Body

Keywords
mental illness, symptoms, meditation, relaxation techniques, creativity, hormone balance

This is an excerpt from the content:

“As an introduction to this article Ana offers an impressionistic vignette of depression as it impacts on mind, feeling and body of depressed people based on the material she has been studying, observations and personal interactions.” The article then overviews depression, including the symptoms, causes and refers to the National Action Plan for Depression in outlining the seriousness of this disorder. A description of what has been helpful for some depressed individuals with or without psychotherapy and medication, expands upon the various benefits of DMT in contributing key therapeutic changes. (pp 19-23)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

The Dance in Dance Therapy

Keywords
aesthetic expression, ritual, diagnostic assessment, pedestrian movement, movement interventions, transformation

This is an excerpt from the content:

This article presents three extracts from a conversation on the ADTA listserve on the nature of the “Dance” in “Dance Therapy.” The conversation weaves through different aspects – from reflections on the elements – that make ‘the dance’ in Dance Therapy, to a discussion about cultural attitudes, the way in which the word ‘dance’ is used metaphorically, and ending with a poignant image of an historical depiction of dance. (pp 24-25)

Read or download PDF

 


2005 Vol. 4 No. 2

An Interview with Dr Marcia B. Leventhal

Keywords
Five Part Session™, Quantam model, Newtonian model, children, authentic movement, boundaries, dynasphere

Dance Movement Therapy pioneer Dr Leventhal is interviewed by DMT Jane Refshauge in Melbourne, December 2004. Their conversation covered a wide range of topics such as what has shaped the developing of her personal model of DMT, training as a DMT and theoretical influences on Dr Leventhal’s practice. The Newtonian and Quantum model that Dr Leventhal developed and taught to DMT students in Australia, is explained and conceptualised and an extensive suggested reading list is provided. (pp 2-13)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

 

An Enquiry into the Therapeutic Dance

Keywords
MIECAT, heuristic inquiry, phenomenological, constructivist, intersubjective, post-positivist, research, therapeutic relationship

This is an excerpt from the content:

“Virginia completed a Masters by Supervision with the Melbourne Institute for Expressive and Creative Arts Therapies (MIECAT). This article is based on phenomenological research towards the Masters award. Virginia states: “The research project took the form of an enquiry into my own processes as a dance therapist working individually with my client – in the style of a heuristic enquiry in phenomenological research, looking into an understanding of how a dance therapy process works for me as the therapist.” Research methods using a MIECAT form of inquiry with her client presenting with symptoms of anorexia, are discussed in depth, encompassing the therapist’s theoretical approach. The therapist’s personal characteristics, beliefs, values and experiences influencing her as a therapist are connected to her experience of ‘companioning’ her client, with reference to therapeutic approaches such as: bracketing, resonance/dissonance and transference/countertransference.  (pp 16-24)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

 

 

Book Review: Dance Movement Therapists in Action: a working guide to research options

Editors
Robyn Flaum Cruz and Cynthia F. Berrol

Read or download PDF

 


2005 Vol. 4 No. 3

Where you locate your body has consequences: the body as central while moving around

Keywords
non-verbal communication, therapist self-reflexivity, supervision, experiential learning, arts therapies, attuning

This excerpt is from the content:

The initial context for my comparing modalities was an international arts therapies conference in Luxembourg 2001 (ECArTE – European Consortium for Arts Therapies Education) entitled “Exposing Difference”. In speaking to such a title in the presence of a variety of therapeutic modalities and cultures, I was drawn to search out commonality, as a frame for exposing difference. I highlighted what I perceived to be a common baseline across the arts therapies, and most therapeutic encounters regardless of their methods, philosophies, and cultures – the inevitable presence of the therapist‟s body in relation to the client‟s body. Within this paper I present a schema which offers one way of viewing the relative positionings of the therapist‟s physical body within the triangular relationship of client, therapist, art form. (pp 2-6)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

A day in the life of a Dance Therapist

Keywords
professional development, school after care, private practice, hospitals, natural disasters, career advice

This is an excerpt from the content:

“We saved an email response from Susan, to a query from someone unsure about their future career directions – but wanting dance to be a part of it. The email was sent to the American Dance Therapy Association’s (ADTA) list serve in 2004. The reply is quite special and reflects how many of us feel about being dance movement therapists.” Susan writes about her evolving professional journey as a DMT. The article commences with reference to her diverse publications and her research into the effectiveness of an after-school program offering DMT. Her email response touches on her challenges and being affect by Hurricanes, as well as her joy and gratitude in her chosen profession. (pp 7-8)

Read or download PDF

 

A day in the life of a Dance Therapist

Keywords
private practice, professional development, DMT professional identity, DMT settings, after-school care, mental health

This is an expert from the content written by the Editors:

“We saved an email response from Susan, to a query from someone unsure about their future career directions – but wanting dance to be a part of it. The email was sent to the American Dance Therapy Association’s (ADTA) listserve last year. The reply is quite special and reflects how many of us feel about being dance movement therapists.” (pp 7-8)

Read or download PDF

A Journey

Keywords
LMA, dyading, witnessing, authentic movement, Mary Builth, Liljan Espenak, movement diagnostics

Andrea describes 3 movement experiences in three different settings and contexts and draws on dance theorists and movement diagnostic tests to make sense of her learning, whilst giving support to DMTs’ practices. In the first experience linking movement experiences with theoretical perspectives, supported Andrea in coming to know more about her body and her inner attitude expressed in movement. It also offered possibilities for adapting functional movement activities in DMT settings. In the second experience shared with a partner, gave further deep understanding of inner states and the potential for attuning to a patient in a similar withdrawn state through movement. The third transforming experience was drawn from a solo exploration, giving new information about how movement communicates in the space of a witnessing presence and can be deeply healing.  (pp 9-12)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

 

Creative Therapies Association of Aotearoa (New Zealand): Conference Report & Highlights

Keywords
creative arts therapy, mental health, well-being, expressive therapy, Voice Work, children

Connor’s article titled: “Conference report AUT Akoranga Campus, Auckland.
Theme: Travelling Light: Enabling ourselves and our clients to let go of unnecessary baggage” describes her participation in the opening ritual of the conference, the keynote address and following workshop presented by Tarquam McKenna: “Expressive Therapy – Bridges into Praxis’. Description of her attendance and embodied learning experienced from the second keynote address and attendance at a workshop on ‘Voicework and the Vocal Process’ follows, with a brief note on the closing ritual and dinner in conclusion.

Lesley’s article titled: “Personal Highlights & Aspects that held Personal Meaning from the ‘Travelling Light’ Conference of Creative Arts Therapies Association of Aotearoa, Auckland, NZ, 2005.” is an overview of all that she loved at the conference. Her attendance at two workshops on DMT and on Voice Work and the Vocal process, is outlined with descriptions from her engagement in the sessions. (pp 13-15)

Read or download PDF

 

Reflections on ‘Water’

Keywords
professional development, kinetic learning, Narrative/Constructivist, symbolism, LMA, Christian Sacred Dance, Harmonics,

This article reflects on a workshop by Rosemary Blundo at the Dance Therapy Forum in Sydney.

Meredith describes her encounters in partnered and circle work using symbolism connected to water for example: seaweed, river, sea, tides, droplets and spirit level. Making sense of experiential learning is woven with theoretical perspectives, including the Natural Laws as proposed by Isaac Newton. Further explanation is offered for kinetic learning with the application of these laws with embodied connection to the pendulum and centripetal force (p.17)

Read or download PDF


2005 Vol. 4 No. 4

Seeing With The Heart: The Aesthetics of Dance/Movement Therapy With The Elderly

Keywords
psychotherapy, professional development, group dynamics, phenomenology, group symbolism

This article “Seeing with the heart” was written to provide a background for the workshop presentation of the same title, delivered at the American Dance Therapy Association’s National Conference in October 2005.

After becoming curious about where the aesthetics of dance interfaces with the aesthetics of dance movement therapy with the frail elderly, the author describes her investigation from the perspective of her “aesthetics lens” whilst looking at the dance movement therapy groups she leads with the elderly with varying stages of dementia. (pp 2-4)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

Ideokinesis

Keywords
neuromuscular patterns, visualising movement, BodyMind, Somatic psychology, psychotherapy, trauma

This article describes Ideokinesis in-depth providing insight into the relationship between this practice and DMT. Neuromuscular patterns and the nervous system are explained on the conscious and unconscious levels. An overview of the history and development of this approach including the more recent ‘Nine lines of Movement’ leads in to a description of the four factors needed for a successful Ideokinetic Experience. The unique stance of Ideokinesesis compared to more traditional somatic psychotherapies is discussed, along with the model of the BodyMind as a self empowerment discipline. Illustrations throughout and reading references are provided in conclusion. (pp 5-11)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

Let The Therapy Begin: An exploration of the use of dance therapy with an eight year old child with attachment disorder

Keywords
Kestenberg Movement profile, kinetic empathy, psycho-emotional development, mother-child relationship, attunement

Venita, a Social Worker and Family Counsellor, provides an in-depth discussion of her DMT approach to working with a child placed in permanent care, who had a range of challenges in relating and thriving. The sessions are described and discussed in connection with the literature on DMT and the child’s use of space and her movement styles are connected to the Kestenberg Movement profile (KMP). The healing qualities of the therapeutic relationship are explored and include shared language and experiences, kinetic empathy and expression of emotion, as the child was gradually able to move toward healing. (pp 12-15)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

Reflection on My Dance Therapy Journey

Keywords
Professional Development, multi-cultural, elderly, mental health, disabilities, autism

Yumi a Japanese born Korean, reflects briefly on her journey of transformation commencing with her arrival in Australia to study DMT. Sharing both her personal experiences of becoming a Professional member of the DTAA as well as vignettes highlighting her work with different individuals and groups. (pp 16-17)

Read or download PDF

Dance Therapy as Person Centred Care in Dementia

Keywords
Professional Development, Dementia, Laban Movement Analysis, Person-centred care, Tom Kitwood, DMT research

This article was written in reflection from an experiential workshop facilitated by Dr. Heather Hill as part of a DTAA Professional Development Day in Melbourne. 

The moving introduction is outlined and then Heather offered a brief introduction to Dementia and Alzheimers touching on traditional biomedical and new treatment approaches. An experiential embodying Dementia is described along with participant’s personal responses and reflections on this activity. Person-centred care is overviewed and the workshop is completed by the showing of a video from Heather’s research with a person with Dementia. Participants moving reflections and learnings are woven into this article. (p. 18)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

 

Applying Dance Movement Therapy Principles in Treatment Settings

Keywords
Professional development, Laban Movement Analysis, language, Professional relationships, marketing, Health care teams

This article reflects on an experiential workshop offered during a DTAA Professional Development day, facilitated by Laurel Bridges. It was intended “to enhance awareness of the skills of a DMT and the ways in which they can be used to collaborate with other healthcare professionals in order to widen the scope, knowledge of and perceived usefulness of our abilities for those other health care and educational professionals.” A range of experiential processes were explored to both increase awareness DMT skills and consider application of these skills to other professions. This process was also offers as a means to promote and market DMT enhancing communication and inclusion in health care and education teams. (pp 18-23)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.

The Dynamic Architecture of Communication: Space Component of Laban Movement Analysis

Keywords
emotional expression, development movement, attainment, crystalline solids, professional development

A brief review of the origins and evolution of Laban Movement Analysis is interwoven with a description of the four elements of movement: Body, Shape, Space, and Effort. Laban’s use of crystalline solids to describe patterns of movement are discussed and illustrated. (p.28)

The content on this page is accessible to DTAA members by logging into the website.