Dance and Creativity within Dance Movement Therapy discusses the core work and basic concepts in dance movement therapy (DMT), focusing on the centrality of dance, the creative process and their aesthetic-psychological implications in the practice of the profession for both patients and therapists. Based on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary inputs from fields such as philosophy, anthropology and dance, contributions examine the issues presented by cultural differences in DMT through the input of practitioners from several diverse countries. Chapters blend theory and case studies with personal, intimate reflections to support critical descriptions of DMT interventions and share methods to help structure practice and facilitate communication between professionals and researchers. The book’s multicultural, multidisciplinary examination of the essence of dance and its countless healing purposes will give readers new insights into the value and functions of dance both in and out of therapy.

Dance and Creativity within Dance Movement Therapy discusses the core work and basic concepts in dance movement therapy (DMT), focusing on the centrality of dance, the creative process and their aesthetic-psychological implications in the practice of the profession for both patients and therapists. Based on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary inputs from fields such as philosophy, anthropology and dance, contributions examine the issues presented by cultural differences in DMT through the input of practitioners from several diverse countries. Chapters blend theory and case studies with personal, intimate reflections to support critical descriptions of DMT interventions and share methods to help structure practice and facilitate communication between professionals and researchers. The book’s multicultural, multidisciplinary examination of the essence of dance and its countless healing purposes will give readers new insights into the value and functions of dance both in and out of therapy.

This book explores possible approaches to and uses of art therapy in mental health settings. Reflecting the latest scientific evidence, it represents a major step toward the harmonization of practices in the field, filling the gap between the theory and practice of art therapy. The book is divided into four major sections, corresponding to the main artistic domains: visual art therapy, music therapy, dance movement therapy, and drama therapy. Gathering the research and insights of leading professionals from around the globe, the book offers a diverse and balanced mix of perspectives. Accordingly, it will appeal to a broad readership including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatric rehabilitation technicians, nurses, educators, art therapists, and students.

Burridge and Svendler Nielsen bring together many perspectives from around the world on dancing experiences through life of senior artists and educators, whether as professionals working with community dance groups, in education or for recreation and well-being. Broadening our understanding of the burgeoning sector of maturing dances and dancers, this book incorporates a range of theoretical approaches with an emphasis on cultural and experiential dimensions. It includes examples of how artists, community practitioners, teachers, policy makers and academics work to better understand, promote and create new ways of thinking and working in the field of dance performance, education and well-being. Each section of the book includes a mixture of chapters based on research and case narratives focusing on practitioners’ experience, as well as conversations between world-renowned mature dance artists and choreographers. It features an eclectic mix of lived experiences, wisdom, deep knowledge and reflection. The book is a valuable resource for students of performing arts, pedagogy, choreography, community dance practice, social and cultural studies, aesthetics, interdisciplinary arts, dance therapy and more. Artists working across generations and in communities can also find useful inspiration for their continued dance practice.

This timely book explores an eco-feminist approach to dance movement psychotherapy, with an emphasis on the posthuman possibilities of differently enabled bodies and fostering social, political and environmental justice. Using the lenses of posthumanism and new materialism, this book examines the points of convergence among dance movement psychotherapy, eco-psychotherapy and critical disability studies. It maps out the experience of building care, empathy and kinship and explores ecologically informed, embodied practices and research while offering new perspectives on these practices. Structured using thematic ‘interruptions’ between chapters to anchor the reading experience and provide coherence, chapters include case study extracts as examples from the practice, spanning group work and individual therapy with autistic and learning disabled children and young people, as well as with neurotypical adult clients in private practice. Bringing together practice and research in dance movement psychotherapy along with cutting-edge theoretical perspectives of new materialism and posthumanism, the book will be of great interest to researchers and students of dance therapy, arts therapies, eco-psychotherapy and disability studies. It will also be useful to practitioners and therapists in psychotherapy and well-being services.

Art and artmaking are at the basis of art therapy as a healing practice. Teachers of art therapy emphasize the role of the creative process and the symbolic use of materials in the training of art therapy students. This volume suggests an innovative research approach that examines different art therapy teaching and training practices, and studies them as parts of one picture.

This book offers a timely, detailed, and comprehensive synopsis of dance/movement therapy (DMT) in the treatment of psychological trauma. Along with the foundational concepts of DMT, tied to traditional trauma theory and a neurobiological framework, contributions contain rich clinical examples that illustrate the use of dance, creative movement, and body awareness with a wide variety of populations including survivors of sex trafficking, military veterans, refugees, those with multigenerational trauma, and others. Chapters emphasize the underlying influences of power, privilege, and oppression on trauma, prompting practitioners to consider and understand the dynamics of sociocultural contexts and engage in continuous self-reflection. Featuring multiple perspectives, as well as cultural and contextual considerations, this book provides direct takeaways for clinicians and professionals and concludes with a roadmap for the trajectory of trauma-informed, healing-centered DMT.

TABLE OF CONTENTS. 1. A short story of art therapy practice in the United States / P. St. John. 2. The theory and practice of Jungian art therapy / H. Mazloomian. 3. The assessment attitude / A. Mills. 4. Individual art therapy with resistant adolescents / S. Boyes. 5. Art therapy within an interdisciplinary framework: working with aphasia and communication science disorders / E. G. Horovitz. 6. The history of play therapy / M. D. Barnes. 7. Theoretical perspectives of play therapy / J. A. Thomas-Acker and S. S. Sloan. 8. Combining play and cognitive interventions in the treatment of attachment disordered children / K. O'Connor. 9. Play therapy assessments / C. E. Myers. 10. Expressive therapies with grieving children / H. R. Glazer. 11. Moving with meaning: the historical progression of dance/movement therapy / L. D. Nemetz. 12. Theoretical perspectives in D/MT: visions for the future / S. C. Koch. 13. The Kestenberg movement profile / S. C. Hastie. 14. Assessment in dance/movement therapy / R. F. Cruz. 15. In-schol dance/movement therapy for traumatized children / R. Kornblum and R. L. Halsten. 16. Meditation and movement therapy for children with traumatic stress reactions / D. A. O'Donnell. 17. The history of music therapy / J. Bradt. 18. Music therapy theoretical approaches / A. M. LaVerdiere. 19. A mosaic of music therapy assessments / E. B. Miller. 20. Empowering women survivors of childhood sexual abuse: a collaborative music therapy - social work approach / S. L. Curtis and G. C. T. Harrison. 21. Music therapy with inner city, at-risk children: from the literal to the symbolic / V. A. Camilleri. 22. Ancient and modern roots of drama therapy / S. Bailey. 23. Drama therapy theoretical perspectives / Y. Silverman. 24. The use of role-play as an assessment instrument / T. Rubenstein. 25. Dramatherapy and refugee youth / Y. Rana. 26. Psychodrama still growing and evolving after all these years / K. Carnabucci. 27. Poetry, the healing pen / M. Alschuler. 28. The therapeutic value of poetry / N. Leedy. 29. Creative connections / M. P. Hand. 30. Ethical delivery of creative therapeutic approaches / K. Larson.

Increasing numbers of researchers are using arts-based, embodied or creative methods. They promote rapport and connection, facilitating research that reaches beyond surface understanding to expose authentic stories and hidden, richer truths. Whilst powerful, these methods can have unintended consequences and the potential for harm. Drawing on case studies and lessons learned from programmes and work across research, therapy, education, art and science, this engaging book explores and demonstrates the porous borders of research. It invites researchers to reflect and consider the boundaries and consequences of their work in order to deepen and widen its applicability and impact across science, art, education and therapy.