On May 15, 2009, Nanielle Fraenkel, Ph.D., ADTR, NCC, LCAT, LMHC, CGP along with music performed by Mr. Jeffrey Mehr, MA presented “Living Dance-Living Music: Body Secrets to Heathy Relationships”. The workshop began with a historical overview of dance therapy as well as developmental influences. Did you know that Harry Stack Sullivan, Carl Rogers, William Reich, Jung, Bronfenbrenner, and Bruner all influenced dance therapy? Dani then defined dance therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of dance and movement as processes which further the emotional, cognition, social and physical integration of the individual”. The basic assumtipns of dance therapy are: (1) There is a reciprocal relationship bwtween mind and body such that a change in one effects a change in the other, (2) Dance acts as an embodied and immediate language which builds upon the reciprocal, “bidirectional functioning of the “body-mind”, (3) Dance/movement promotes the integration and holisic functioning of the personality, drawing upon the power of creativity and the innate capacity to heal, and (4) Movement reflects personality. Clinical applications of dance therapy were discussed – e.g. use with eating disordered clients, conversion disorder clients, ptsd clients, etc. After the didatic portion of the workshop, participants joined the dance! Dani created a “safe” space for all to participate. We first learned and attended to “pulse” and “shape” which are two elements of dance that affect relationships to self and others. The next dance experience was “witnessing” whereby one person danced freely and the other served as observer/protector of the dancer. This was a “bridging technique” designed to strengthen emotional connections between participants. Each participant then shared feelings and thoughts of their experience. The music was powered by the dance as well as being a viable participant in the experience. After the dance, Dani reviewed applications to verbal group psychotherapy. Overall, the experience was stimulating, insightful and relaxing!
Submitted by:
Joe Russo, Psy.D., CGP
