Psychotherapy

through movement

Overview

Movement psychotherapy, also known as Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP), is one of the recognised Arts Therapies - Music, Drama, Art, and Movement Psychotherapy. It is practised as both individual and group therapy in health, education, and social service settings, and in private practice. Movement psychotherapy is based on the theory that the the mind and body are inseparable and are in constant interaction. The way in which we move, gesture and inhabit our bodies is a unique expression of our personality and a reflection of our inner life. This suggests that changes in the way we move affects our whole functioning and that by experiencing new ways of moving we can invite new ways of being. This form of therapy invites a deeper sense of self-awareness and realisation of one's body by blending verbal processing with motion, movement and creative expression. It is a flexible and holistic psychotherapeutic approach, which takes into account the whole person, and works in a way that is accessible and specific to each individual.


The word-cloud below was generated from a short piece I wrote on movement psychotherapy. The size of the words reflect their prominence in the text and combined form an interactive and creative summary. Do any words stand out for you?


communication physical including difficulties Testing body relationship emotional words others loss resources spatial times personal based change verbal alone addictions autonomy transition non-verbal feelings self-esteem breaking initiating self Movement Maximising Experiencing support self-awareness actions outer eating available negative experience trusting posture mobility avoid Increased Increasing contact include distortion difficult overwhelming links anxieties disorders Benefits cognitive shifts Enhancing distress express Also enhancing patterns self-understanding disassociation skills interaction developed thought self-exploration Developing recognising coping adaptive Psychotherapy awareness trust proximity impact anxiety image tension surrounding experiences Expressing increasing less certain impairments thoughts reality used managing may conflict stress behaviours inner social
communication physical including difficulties Testing body relationship emotional words others loss resources spatial times personal based change verbal alone addictions autonomy transition non-verbal feelings self-esteem breaking initiating self Movement Maximising Experiencing support self-awareness actions outer eating available negative experience trusting posture mobility avoid Increased Increasing contact include distortion difficult overwhelming links anxieties disorders Benefits cognitive shifts Enhancing distress express Also enhancing patterns self-understanding disassociation skills interaction developed thought self-exploration Developing recognising coping adaptive Psychotherapy awareness trust proximity impact anxiety image tension surrounding experiences Expressing increasing less certain impairments thoughts reality used managing may conflict stress behaviours inner social