Publication Date

2010

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Dance therapists, Movement therapy, Dance therapy, Psychotherapy, Dance movement therapy, R-DMT, BC-DMT, ADTA, Clientele report, Jungian, Winnicott, Kestenberg, Labanotation, Laban, Jungian psychology, Winnicott, D. W. (Donald Woods), 1896-1971, Kestenberg, Judith S., Exploratory, Descriptive

Abstract

This empirical qualitative study was conducted to determine what movement therapists do and how their services interact with traditional psychotherapy. The purpose of this project was to provide information about dance/movement therapy as a way to promote the practice and move towards bridging the gap between this alternative therapy and mainstream psychotherapies. This exploratory and descriptive study was carried out through semi-structured interviews. The sample (N=9) was made of up dance/movement therapists who were certified by the American Dance Therapy Association. Questions were designed to gather information about participant demographics, training and certification processes, methods and significance of dance/movement therapy, client characteristics and building clientele and report. A content analysis of the findings indicated that dance/movement therapists do experience difficulties in developing a rapport within the mental health field. It was also discovered that most people have a poor understanding of what dance/movement therapy is and how it works as psychotherapeutic treatment. Cultural and spiritual implications are examined as well, as they relate to the alternative practice of dance/movement therapy.

Language

English

Comments

iv, 94 p. : col. ill. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2010. Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-88)

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