Fran Ostroburski

Keywords: Dance Therapy, social disadvantage, parent-child, object relations theory, Winnicott, transitional objects, imaginative living, music, metaphor, imagery

Page #: 43

This paper discusses the development of the dance therapy program at Canterbury Family Centre, where there has been a shift from creative dance focus with children and caregivers to dance/movement therapy with children and parents. A creative model using music, objects and design is underpinned by an object relations theory framework, particularly D.W. Winnicott’s concepts of imaginative living, the area between internal and external reality and the use of transitional objects.

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Keywords: creative dance, Marion Woodman, ego, personal account

Page #: 20

The author shares her personal journey of discovery through creative dance. Interwoven with this story are several ‘exquisite’ passages from Marion Woodman’s book: The Owl was a Baker’s Daughter, which inspired the writing of the article.

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Keywords: creative dance, pre-natal, mother-child relationship, yoga, massage, relaxation, self-awareness

Page #: 10

In this article, Ostraburski describes her classes for expectant mothers in which ‘the mother and developing baby are offered an early opportunity to make an internal journey of discovery. This is both a creative and therapeutic experience.’ Fran describes the phases of pregnancy and approaches she has taken in providing a program designed to be fulfilling within physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual realms. Strategies described include selection of music, choice of aesthetics and techniques such as massage and yoga.

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Keywords
attachment, dance-movement therapy, mother-toddler dyad, trusting

Page #: 151

This case study is about the development of a trusting attachment between a dance therapist and a mother- toddler dyad. The child, Chloe*, was referred to dance movement therapy following the death of her four year old sister, Bea*, in a car accident. Chloe’s normal development, in particular her language skills, deteriorated. It was the mother’s diagnosis that her relationship to the child was profoundly interrupted by grief. Although the mother attended to her basic needs, she was emotionally unavailable to Chloe. The development of a deep secure attachment between the therapist and the dyad contributed to their facing, enduring and healing the grief. Chloe’s language skills developed over two years and she was able to speak about the trauma.