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Dance/movement therapy
Book chapter

Dance/movement therapy

Sharon W Goodill
Undergraduate Research in Dance
2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351052986-10

Abstract

Postsecondary Dance Education Dance Education Research Central Nervous System Processes Prevent Future Falls National Core Arts Standards Undergraduate Dance Programs Research Descriptive Index Vice Versa Kool DJ Herc ADTA Institutional Review Board Dance Arts Education Undergraduate Dance Students Entry Level Credential Dance Education Literature Utah Valley State College Arts Based Research DNA Replication Error Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome Immune System Activity Dance Movement Psychotherapy Arts Integrated Lesson Dance Movement Therapist
Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a creative arts therapy specialty discipline and a mind/body integrated approach to counseling and psychotherapy. Expressive and qualitative aspects of movement and dance are emphasized over functional aspects, with overall goals typically focused on psychological, emotional, social and relational health and well-being. Dance/movement therapists combine verbal and non-verbal communication and they build therapeutic relationships which provide a safe, supportive environment for exploration of life’s challenges. This chapter offers a brief discussion of purported therapeutic mechanisms of DMT and includes examples from neuroscientific and biological perspectives. The author offers ideas for research inquiry suitable for undergraduate projects. This chapter discusses purported therapeutic mechanisms of Dance/movement therapy (DMT) and includes examples from neuroscientific and biological perspectives. It offers ideas for research inquiry suitable for undergraduate projects. The American Dance Therapy Association defines DMT as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual”. Methods include the use of creative movement and improvisation, shared rhythmic action, creating imagery and metaphor with movement, the sharing and modulation of energy, props that evoke and amplify movement ideas, structured dance steps, breath awareness, emotional expression through movement, and more. Neuroscience research has revealed several central nervous system processes that may explain the mechanisms of DMT, or how it works. Dance/movement therapists combine verbal and non-verbal communication and they build therapeutic relationships that provide a safe, supportive environment for exploration of life’s challenges.

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