Editorial
Author/s: Rachael Byrnes
Author/s: Rachael Byrnes
Author/s: Jenny Scott, Kim Dunphy
Keywords
Intellectual disabilities, dance therapy programs, disability performance, community performance arts
This is an excerpt from the content:
This article “…addresses the oft-mooted distinction between dance therapy and other dance modalities and the appropriateness of these for people with intellectual disabilities. The article begins with a review of literature about dance programs for people with intellectual disabilities, especially writings that address this distinction. The authors then outline the complementary relationship they recognise between dance therapy, creative dance (recreational and educational), community dance and disability performance arts, based on their experience in these fields. The article finishes with a description of the factors the authors believe determine the appropriate choice of dance modality for any particular client or group of people with intellectual disabilities.”
(pp 2-8)
Author/s: Judy Gutteridge
Keywords
children, self-concept, academic achievement, academic competence, learning strategies, Masters research
This is an excerpt from the content:
The principal aim of this study was to investigate whether a program of dance, presented in a cooperative learning framework, would be instrumental in improving the self-concept of a sample of Grades 3, 4 and 5 primary school children. A pre- and post-intervention, randomised blocks design, incorporating both experimental and control conditions, was adopted for this purpose. Both quantitative and observational qualitative data were utilised in the analysis of the study outcome. (p. 8)
Author/s: Linda Pilus, Susan Kierr
Keywords
Dance therapy rehabilitation, hospital care, paraplegia, physical trauma, dance therapy treatment, patient evaluation
Chances of surviving an illness or accident have improved greatly, encouraging physicians and health professionals to re-assess quality of life post-incident. This article examined recovery from the psychophysical effects of physical trauma in an individual study on dance therapy treatment. Symptoms assessed by a detailed patient evaluation were deteriorating health and morbidity. The subsequent case study of a patient in hospital care illustrated the dance therapy methods for paraplegia. The methods were grounded in theory, specifically grief and attachment theories. The article concludes by outlining the role a dance therapist plays in a rehabilitation team on the ward and a postscript was written by one of the author’s interns. (pp 9-16)
Author/s: Marcia Plevin
Keywords
Pain management, Art therapy, physical trauma, recovery-oriented art practice
Personal beliefs and experiences of pain can influence pain management practices for health professionals. This article expressed the effects of physical trauma from a dance therapist’s own perspective. Topics discussed were subjective analysis of hip pain and recovery-oriented art practice. The methods derived from the principles of art therapy were in response to physical trauma and as the patient adapted to different physical conditions, a new method ensued. The output from one phase in recovery is illustrated throughout the article using the medium of paper cut with scissors. In conclusion, the therapist developed a greater understanding and empathy with patients experiencing and managing physical pain and trauma. (pp 17-21)
Author/s: Tamah L. Nakamura
Keywords
Butoh, role analysis, women’s repression, social structure, Japanese dance genre
This article addresses the cross-cultural comparisons of studying in the West and teaching in Japan. The key development in the discussion was that social roles become individualised, internalised and expressed in movement. By offering multiple methods from the Japanese ‘Butoh’ dance genre to engage in role analysis, the text is able to display how the changes in the structure of society are internalised within the body. Despite the emphasis on chronology, the article draws conclusions on women’s position in society and allows extension of theoretical discussions within the field of dance exploration into sexual repression. (pp 22-24)
Author/s: Linda Murrow
Keywords
ADTA 37th annual conference, presentation review
The 37th Annual ADTA Conference, in collaboration with the University of Vermont, featured a collection of well known dance therapy practitioners addressing a diverse scope of topics from the playground to skilled writing. This article reviewed the presentations and speeches given at the conference and finished with a description of the dance performance concluding the event. (pp 25-27)
Author/s: Heather Hill, Jane Guthrie
Author/s: Penny Best
Keywords
DMT supervision, relational movement, Interactional Shaping, observed movement, group work, creative process
Penny has edited her own transcript from a seminar given in Budapest, Hungary at the First World Art Therapy Congress, drawing on her research of the use of creative processes within supervision for dance movement therapists in the UK. In illustrating the premise of her supervision practice through presenting examples from her supervision practice and two case studies, Penny expands upon the relational space in the therapeutic relationship and discusses awareness of client perceptions through body empathy, specifically therapist self awareness. In conclusion, Penny describes the ways she engaged with her listening audience, inviting embodied reflections. (pp 2-6)
Author/s: Catherine Threlfall
Keywords
music therapy, disabilities, community arts, performance, special education, arts therapy
This is an excerpt from the content:
Catherine writes: “In this article I will endeavour to share some insights into my continuing journey to understand and articulate the relationship between community arts and arts therapy. In recent years the nature of “community music therapy” work has come under much discussion in the music therapy community, as more music therapists seek work in community settings and work alongside community musicians. I would like to present a snapshot of the development of musical pathways between my work in special education and the broader community, most particularly with a group of adolescents with intellectual disabilities who were participants in a music performance project.” (pp 7-9)
Author/s: Tamah L. Nakamura
Keywords
Butoh, Ecopsychology, Hijikata Tatsumi, dance group
The founder of the ‘butoh’ genre, Hijikata Tatsumi emerged in post-war Japan, an irreverent and challenging choreographer and intellect. In this article, a field researcher’s active relationship with a Butoh dance group illustrates dance therapy from a specifically ‘butoh’ perspective. The field notes express links to ecopsychology by the integral relationship between family, community and the earth. The notes detail the expression of the dancer’s unconscious and subconscious. In conclusion, the researcher evaluated the ‘butoh’ genre as pivotal to self analysis for this sample. (pp 10-14)
Author/s: Helen Payne
Keywords
Authentic movement, mover and witness, collective body, body awareness
This article describes the ‘authentic movement’ discipline based on body and mind awareness and has basic importance to Dance movement therapy (DMT). This central relationship was experienced by engaging the body in a non-judgemental way. Within a tradition that encourages the process of change, two tools essential to ‘authentic movement’ were explored; analysis of the ‘mover and witness’ and the sensation of the ‘collective body’. The article concludes with further suggestions for the beneficial effects of ‘authentic movement’ outside clinical settings. (pp 16-17)
Author/s: John Killick
Keywords
Nursing home residents, quality of life, dementia, art appreciation
Despite much investigation into the quality of nursing homes, the needs of residents from their own perspective seems poorly understood. In this article, interview data collected from Westminster Health Care Centre explored the principles of quality of life for residents in nursing homes with dementia. The discussion substantiated the hypothesis that the positive effects of art-making result in improvements to care-giving outcomes. Concepts raised were aesthetic sensibility, appreciation and taste in accordance with the genuine desire for artistic pursuits. This article conclusively illustrates the intention from this sample of nursing home residents, to live more creatively. (pp 19-20)
Author/s: Marcia Plevin
Keywords
professional development, professional training, accreditation, Laban Movement Analysis, Authentic Movement, Quantum Physics
This article is based on a paper Marcia wrote for the International Panel at the ADTA 2002 conference in Vermont, US.A.
This features a first-hand glimpse at the life of a founder and the paths taken to establish a national dance movement therapy association in Italy. Marcia Plevin’s passion for dance movement therapy is shared as she tells the story of establishing the APID and founding various training programs and reviewing organisations who are teaching DMT in Italy. A wide range of DMT approaches and activities are overviewed, showcasing the growing field and opportunities.(pp 20-23)
Author/s: Jennifer de Leon
Keywords
private practice, therapeutic relationship, mind-body-soul-spirit, attunement, existential, transpersonal
This is a brief case study, vividly describing a portrayal from the DMTs perspective, of one private dance movement therapy session with a client who is processing relational challenges within her family. (pp 24-25)
Author/s: Ben Assan
Keywords
professional development, intersubjective response, artistic reflections, dancing stories, dyads, group work
A report on the DTAA Professional Development provided by Denis Kelynack on April 5, 2003 at Dancehouse. This is a very brief reflection on Ben’s experiences and learning as a DMT, through participation in Denis’ professional development workshop. (p. 26)
Author/s: Robyn Price
Keywords
dance movement therapy training, professional development, non-verbal communication
This is an excerpt from the content:
“The contact improvisation techniques offer a great tool to pop into the therapist’s toolkit. They could be introduced in the most elementary of activities – a walking warm up that invites people to greet each other though hands, shoulders and so on – and then developed according to the abilities of all participants…” (p. 27)
Author/s: Beverly Sandra Joffe
Keywords:
speech pathology, music, movement, children, communication disorders, research
This is an excerpt from the content:
This investigation reports on the evolution, features, processes and outcomes of a devised complementary treatment approach, one combining traditional speech pathology treatment strategies with the structured use of music and movement, for children with communication disorders (p. 30).
Author/s: Heather Hill, Jane Guthrie
Rachael introduces herself as part of the new editorial team and overviews this issue on focusing on the healing power of dance.
Author/s: Elizabeth Loughlin
Keywords
Women’s liberation, performance, historical drama, community arts
In the mid-nineteenth century the protestant Magdalen Asylums, initially of London, sought the evangelical reformation of female (usually pregnant) prostitutes through the service of laundry work. This article shares dramatic reactions of dancers that walked the site of the Magdalen Asylum in Carlton, Australia. The reactions were rehearsed in studio and the process toward performance enhanced with poetry and sculpture. Despite the lack of political address in this article, performer responsibility when performing provoking subject matter is discussed and concludes the article. (pp 2-4)
Author/s: Elizabeth Mackenzie
Keywords
disabilities, wheelchair dance, attention span, workshop reflection
This article is a brief reflection of a workshop that focused on disability. Suggested techniques for managing attention span difficulties and approaches for wheelchair involvement were presented in the workshop. (pp 5-6)
Author/s: Lisa O’Beirne
Keywords
Music improvisation, Authentic movement, Initiatic art, Heuristic, Artistic expression
This is an excerpt from the content:
…“This paper presents a project of discovering the use of music improvisation, ‘authentic movement’ and ‘initiatic art’ drawing to reflect on clinical experience. Within the ‘heuristic’ process of emersion, expression, incubation, illumination and documentation, the use of artistic expression with a written journal allows experience that is not easily articulated, to be acknowledged and gradually understood. The use of self-axis references in the reviewing stage of the process accentuates the therapist’s narrative being revealed through the project.” (pp 7-12)
Author/s: Sandra Kay Lauffenburger
Keywords
attunement, Attachment theory, Vital affect, psychodynamic theory, Stern, Kestenberg
This article explored the concept of attunement, which is accepted as of importance to Dance Movement therapy (DMT) but is not widely understood. Links were made between attunement and psychodynamic attachment theories. The discussion re-evaluating the theories and illustrating non-verbal communication through the quality of affect and movement in early life. Dance therapists emerged as ideally placed to guide clients to access these early communication experiences. The primary link between psychodynamic attachment theory and attunement in the outcome of the paper, overall writing to refocus on previous attachment research. (pp 13-18)
Author/s: Geri Silk
Keywords
kinaesthetic vocabulary, aqua therapy, ideokinesis, buoyancy, flexibility
This is an excerpt from the content:
…“The purpose of this article is to persuade dance movement therapists to explore the joys and benefits of bringing their therapy into the water. One of the revitalizing aspects of dancing in the water is that, moment-by-moment, the liquid environment gives you startling new choices and causes you to move in ways that are totally different ways from the ways in which you move on land.” (pp 20-24)
Author/s: Mary Rose Nicol
Keywords
Laban Movement Analysis, Internal space, Shape analysis
An overview of a workshop experience. Themes include the concept of ‘shape’ as proposed in Laban Movement Analysis. Functional shape forms identified by Laban, the Pin, Wall, Ball and Screw are explored and a brief discussion of ‘internal space’ follows. (pp 25-26)
Author/s: Anna Schlusser
Author/s: Jane Guthrie, Naomi Aitchison
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Author/s: Sue Mullane
Keywords
Sexual assault, Female trauma survivors, DMT evaluation, Methodological strategies in sexual assault cases, Clinical treatment
In Dance movement therapy (DMT) practice, clients can express emotional responses that are otherwise confronting to verbalise. The potential application of dance/movement therapy (DMT) in sexual assault cases is discussed in this article. The study aimed to test the suitability of DMT in clinical treatment for female sexual assault survivors. Previous research relying on therapist evaluations, the methodological strategy of this study drew on different qualitative approaches to achieve the most accurate client records. Results of DMT application in this population were body knowledge, positive bodily experiences and feelings of body safety. The conclusive findings for nonverbal strategies in bodily trauma therapy point to further research into dance therapy within the sexual assault field. (pp 2-10)
Author/s: Joan S. Ingalls
Keywords
Interdisciplinary experience, social therapy, sports counselling, athlete treatment, professional development
This paper focuses on the intertwining of social therapy, psychotherapy and group dance therapy. The interdisciplinary experience was a central experience in the author’s own professional development. The therapeutic relationship illustrated in a vignette, focuses on social therapy. Despite achieving similar results to psychotherapy, social therapy enhanced the author’s insight. Links made to current thinking in sociology and psychotherapy conclude the article. (pp 11-16)
Author/s: David Eckel
Keywords
Special education, research, Espenak Movement Diagnosis Tests, LMA, KMP
This paper applies traditional dance therapy assessment tools to settings other than clinical psychology. Three assessment tools were evaluated for their suitability in the special education setting: Laban Movement Analysis (LMA), Espenak Movement Diagnosis Tests and The Kestenberg Movement Profile (KMP). Results conservatively suggested the application of Espenak Movement Diagnosis Tests and LMA and more confidently the KMP tool to assess children in a special education setting. The article concludes with a discussion on the benefits of movement assessment and further research within the field. (pp 17-22)
Author/s: Elizabeth Moser
Keywords
Trudy Schoop, Fritz Perls, professional development, psychotherapy, Tomatis method, Psycho-Phonology
An overview is provided of the founding and development of DMT in Switzerland since the 1970s, including the author’s professional journey and her training in Europe. (p. 23)
Author/s: Kim Dunphy