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Dance-Movement Therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement for
the purpose of growth and healing, as well as self and relation
development.
Ideally, dance therapy pays attention to both verbal
and nonverbal communication, and endeavors to understand it within a
holistic and humanistic framework. Dance therapy seeks to facilitate ways to experience
wholeness and meaningful connections with one’s own body and one’s
sense of self. A better
understanding of how to meaningfully relate to others is also an
important part of dance/movement therapy. Movement experiences may be accompanied by visual
images, bodily-felt sensations & /or work, depending on the visual,
kinesthetic and verbal abilities or preferences of the participants
(Chodorow, 1991). By
putting a lived-experience, which consists of movement and verbal
thoughts, into images, feelings, or words, one might access additional
information available through the sensory modes or channels (visual,
kinesthetic, proprioceptive, auditory and relational experiences) and
thus facilitate communication with and about direct experiences (Mindaell,
1987).
Dance/Movement Therapy Definition
The American Dance Therapy Association (A.D.T.A)
states that dance/movement therapy is “the psychotherapeutic use of
movement as a process which furthers the emotional and physical
integration of the individual”.
A.D.T.A (1985) continues: “Thus, dance/movement therapy effects
changes in feelings, cognition, physical functioning and behavior. The dance/movement therapist
focuses on movement behavior as it emerges in the therapeutic
relationship.” Levy (1988)
states, “Dance therapy as
a psychotherapeutic or healing tool, is rooted in the idea that the
body and the mind are inseparable,” The A.D.T.A. (1985) writes, in its
pamphlets given to the public to explain movement therapy, “expressive,
communicative, and adaptive behaviors, are all considered for both
group and individual treatment.
Body movement simultaneously provides the means of assessment
and the mode of intervention.” However, very little research has
clearly delineated the nature of movement experience from the
participant’s perspective (Moore & Yamamoto, 1988). Research is needed which shows
there are advantages to the therapeutic process when movement is
brought into the treatment.
It also would be important to further our understanding of how
movement is meaningful to the participants, both in their therapy and
in their lives.
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