ABSTRACT

Essentials of Dance Movement Psychotherapy contributes to the global interest in embodiment approaches to psychotherapy and to the field of dance movement psychotherapy specifically. It includes recent research, innovative theories and case studies of practice providing an inclusive overview of this ever growing field. As well as original UK contributions, offerings from other nations are incorporated, making it more accessible to the dance movement psychotherapy community of practice worldwide. 

Helen Payne brings together well-known, experienced global experts along with rising stars from the field to offer the reader a valuable insight into the theory, research and practice of dance movement psychotherapy. The contributions reflect the breadth of developing approaches, covering subjects including:

• combining dance movement psychotherapy with music therapy;

• trauma and dance movement psychotherapy;

• the neuroscience of dance movement psychotherapy;

• the use of touch in dance movement psychotherapy;

• dance movement psychotherapy and autism;

• relational dance movement psychotherapy.

Essentials of Dance Movement Psychotherapy will be a treasured source for anyone wishing to learn more about the psychotherapeutic use of creative movement and dance. It will be of great value to students and practitioners in the arts therapies, psychotherapy, counselling and other health and social care professions.

chapter 1|17 pages

Introduction

Experiencing inter-corporeality and professional learning

part I|64 pages

Theory

chapter 2|16 pages

Relational dance movement psychotherapy

A new old idea

chapter 3|16 pages

Dynamic equilibrium

Engaging neurophysiological intelligences through dance movement psychotherapy

chapter 4|14 pages

Conscious movement sequencing

The core of the dance movement psychotherapy experience

chapter 5|16 pages

A growth model in dance therapy

part II|66 pages

Research

chapter 6|16 pages

Gestalt and dance movement psychotherapy in adults with eating disorders

Moving towards integration through practice and research

chapter 8|17 pages

Shared movement

A dance-informed contribution to non-verbal interpersonal relating in autism spectrum disorders

part III|90 pages

Practice

chapter 11|16 pages

Overcoming trauma

When verbal language is not enough

chapter 12|14 pages

I am here with you

Dance movement psychotherapy and music therapy as a marriage of empathy in the special school setting

chapter 13|22 pages

Holding and adolescent angst

Significant moments within a dance movement psychotherapy group in a mainstream secondary school

chapter 14|14 pages

The recovery journey

The place and value of dance movement psychotherapy with clients with alcohol or substance misuse