The essentialness of improvisation
Author/s: Sherry Goodill
Keywords: improvisation, dance/movement therapy, in the present moment, creative process, problem solving
Page #: 5
Improvisation is at the heart of many dance/movement therapy interventions. It is not just “making it up as we go along” but a way of building meaning and relationship in movement on a moment to moment basis, following the craft of working in the medium (dance movement). This paper explores why improvisation is so important to the integrity of dance/movement therapy interventions, to dance/movement therapy research, and why we should bring this feature of dance/movement therapy into broader discussions of psychotherapy and counseling. Our knowledge of improvisatory processes can also inform the development of the profession.