Dance Movement Therapy & Transference

In Dance Movement Therapy (D/MT) transference and counter transference play a crucial role in the therapy session. Understanding the differing theories of transference, where and how they take place, whether on an emotional, physical, cognitive, or neurological level is an important foundation for the effective treatment of a client. It is because transference is primarily an unconscious process that D/MT as an effective avenue into the subconscious can allow for transference actions to become consciously embodied. It is this embodiment of these subconscious processes that allows for the exploration and bringing to light transference and thus one part of ‘healing’ for the client.In D/MT client(s) move, through posture and/or gesture in ways that is less likely to be censored. For instance, a therapist asks a question and the client hesitates and chooses their words and answers, censoring (either consciously or not) their response. It’s a cognitive process that we all do generally with little thinking or effort. The therapist asks the same questions and directs the client to respond with the hands in a gesture or a posture with a fuller body expression. I’ve noticed over the last twenty some years that people tend to respond/react to this type of direction with the same hesitation and then begin to move in ways that express something rarely captured by words. I believe this is because people are used to censoring their words but less so with the body.

A great example of this is the Stress-less classes I have taught over the years. Participants almost always identify the body as the way they know they are really stressed out. They report grinding their teeth, clenching their fists, clenching their butt muscles, as the primary resources of how they are feeling/thinking. It’s the bodies uncensored expression of what is happening internally that they notice most. In Dance Movement therapy it is what the body says that we notice most.

Ways of moving

 I have learned a lot about Dance Movement Therapy here at Antioch University. I have come to know the far reaching effects that movement has in discovering one’s own feelings. I have come to recognizing others feelings by witnessing their movement as well.

 In one internship I spend time directing a group of clients to move in ways that expressed relaxation for them. Ten people moving in ten different ways, all expressing the same thing. Later the group shared their experience first with a movement and then with verbal processing. The clients discovered new ways of relaxing and being relaxed by exploring and witnessing others move.

 We can all learn new ways of moving and being moved by witnessing others. As children we learned patterns of movement from our care givers and from our culture. As adults we add to our developmental movement patterns by incorporating the uniqueness of who we are. As we mature and age, our movement pattern change again to reflect where in our lives we are.

 We all move, everyone of us. With our breath, our eye lids, our heart beat, and more. It is what we have in common. It is who we are.

Donna’s

I wouldn’t do Antioch justice without mentioning the food service. On the second floor of Antioch, there is a small kitchen with a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The staff is always friendly, and the food is high quality.

I am always in a rush in the morning, and Antioch’s breakfast provides a quick meal I can enjoy in class. I almost always make a stop for a pastry and coffee before rushing off to my first class. The selection varies, but I always find something tempting – a scone, banana bread, coffee cake, etc. and a coffee. There’s a coffee club card for one free coffee after 10 coffee purchases, and I make good use of those. Coffee refills are available for a discounted price if the same cup is used – great pick-me-up during class break. Egg sandwiches and yogurt with granola are also available.

At lunch, there is usually a selection of soups and sandwiches (Tomato cheddar soup is one of my personal favorites). Taco salads are also popular among the students. The food is freshly prepared and served hot or cold depending on the selection. A variety of drinks are also available. I’ve never had anything I didn’t enjoy.

Homemade cookies, brownies, and other treats are also available for dessert or an afternoon snack.

Without doubt, Donna’s kitchen is a bright spot at Antioch. I once heard a classmate say that the food service atmosphere was one of the deciding factors in her decision to come to Antioch.

almost there

As this final school year winds down, I have noticed how much we have all learned through the program at Antioch. I hear classmates discuss issues with clear understanding of this profession. All the pieces learned in the many classes are coming together as we develop our individual approaches to counseling.

I feel a greater confidence in my abilities while maintaining an awareness of areas where I still need to grow. I think one of the important concepts I’ve gained through the education process is an understanding and appreciation of the complexity of the art of counseling. There is no one correct approach, but there are certain treatment protocols that have been shown to be successful.

One of our final projects is an analyses of our own theoretical orientation. This is an interesting process because we are challenged to understand what theories are driving our individual work and what aspects of our life and training have drawn us to these particular theories. We write a paper explaining our understanding of our orientation, using current literature to support the efficacy of our work. Finally, we present the information to our professional seminar courses, demonstrating our competency with recordings from client sessions that illustrate our work. The process is fascinating.

Not only does this project serve to demonstrate to our competency to the professor, it allows us to identify our own level of competency in the work we are doing at our internships. It clearly illustrates how prepared we are to step into the role of counselor independent of Antioch.

MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling

If you have a passion for dance and a desire to use your skills in a counseling role, Antioch New England’s programs in Dance/Movement Therapy leads to truly gratifying career options. Dance/Movement Therapy integrates the mind, body, and spirit through verbal and non-verbal treatment approaches to wellness. The program is approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA).

Click HERE to see the video from Antioch New England Dance Movement Therapy Program.

Authentic Movement

Here at Antioch University in the Dance Movement Therapy program we use reflection as one of the processes of learning. One of those reflection/learning models is authentic movement, another is Narrative Writing. Below I present a writing about an Authentic Movement experience.

For me authentic movement is connecting with the deep internal well of the self, the sub-consciousness. Drawing slowly one bucket at a time, of feelings, thoughts, and sensations - than pouring them out, to the external, sometimes a few drops, sometimes a cup full, on occasion a whole bucket at a time, washed over the movement floor.

 

How does a feeling move me? What body part has an urge to move? What thought moves me and what body part has an urge to move from that thought? How does one sensation (physical, emotional, mental) and one body part moving form/transform into a pattern of movement and a pattern of sensation? These questions are a part of the authentic movement experience for me and they don’t arise while moving but are answered nevertheless by the process.

I sit with my eyes closed, noticing my breath, noticing contractions and expansions in my body. Noticing discomfort and comfort, and then reconnecting with my breath. The mind/thinking creates images and thought patterns in response to the bodily sensations. The body begins to create movement in response to feelings and thought sensations. Letting it happen without censoring, without wondering why or where it is coming from. It just happens.

Moving with the eyes closed in my own internal space, bringing the interior to the exterior, the internal to the external. Using a minimum of sound/words (or none at all); connecting with the floor, walls, ceiling, and air; with the very molecules themselves.

Taking the internal to the external and taking that external even further by sensing others in the room, closer, further; the sound of their breath, of their movement. Perhaps even a touch, and more touch, and less touch. Trying effortlessly to maintain the self (the internal to the external) without being swayed by the connection with another. Trying effortlessly to maintain the self while connecting with the space, the walls, floor, air, molecules.

Good is Good

Grades aren’t the focus at Antioch which can be unnerving to some students. Rather than the typical A, B, C system of traditional education, Antioch’s grading system includes: O for outstanding, E for excellent, V for very good, G for good, S for satisfactory with concerns, and U for unsatisfactory. For each class, students graded in four categories: class participation, mastery of course content, quality of documentation, and overall course performance. I’ve heard it said that these letters were provided when students requested more information regarding their performance. I’ve also heard that the grades are provided for the student’s own information only and final transcripts show grades as pass/fail.

Personally, I tend to focus a lot on grades. I hold myself to high standards when it comes to my work. This semester I am trying to remember something a teacher said during my second year at Antioch. “Good is good.” My tendency is to view V as acceptable and E as desired. I have a hard time viewing a G as a good thing. However, as a student in my final semester, I am trying to allow myself a bit more self acceptance regarding grades. I have a heavy workload this semester. In addition to class assignments, I have my internship which requires written reports as well as billing paperwork. I also work part-time, volunteer, and maintain a life beyond school.

With all this on my plate, I am making a strong effort to accept good as good in regard to my grades. I refuse to work myself into a frenzy over school assignments and grades. So far so good. This week is a particularly busy one, and the assignments are coming together. I just need to take it week by week and prioritize written assignments over reading assignments. (I have honed my skimming skills to perfection.)

And as mentioned in an earlier blog, self-care is essential so I can’t neglect that. (I’m getting a decent amount of sleep and exercise. I’m reading two books for pleasure and went to see a comedy at the theater.)

The End is Near

Last week I got a letter from Antioch from the financial aid department. It said that I have borrowed over $50,000 to finance my education, and I should anticipate a repayment rate of over $700 per month for the next 10 years. YIKES! Well that letter got me thinking about getting a job when I’m finished with school.

A few days later, I received an email about ordering a cap and gown and other preparations for commencement in May. The reality of school coming to an end is becoming more and more obvious. It feels sort of strange and very sudden. Perhaps because I completed my undergraduate degree over seven years. These past three years seem to have moved very quickly. I have a feeling these final months are going to seem to move even faster, especially with the workload this semester.

Last year a friend had to remind me that I wouldn’t be in school forever. That was the first time I had really thought about finishing school. I was at the half-way point at that time, and now I’m in the final semester. It hardly seems possible. One of the hardest things about finishing will be the people. Because Antioch is small, we form close-knit groups. It ’s enjoyable to visit with friends each week, and I’ve heard many students express concern about losing those connections. The people I’ve gotten to know through Antioch are a fantastic group. I know I will miss seeing them each week. Hopefully, we can continue to stay in touch as professional after we graduate.

Children and play

Part of my training and education here at Antioch University in dance movement therapy is working with children and their care givers in a semi structured creative environment. This practicum allowed us to observe interactions such as how and when a child moves toward and away from their care giver. We also used KMP (Kestenberg Movement Profile) to observe the natural developmental based rhythms of child and caregiver and the attunements and clashes between the two. For instance a child may have a gradual rhythm and moves slowly into activities and the care giver has a more aggressive/biting rhythm and pushes the child into activities. This results in a clash of rhythms and often the more the care giver pushes the more the child resists.

Part of the practicum that I enjoy is the semi structured nature of creative play that the children are allowed to engage in. I believe that play is an important part of growing and learning about the social self as well as self regulation. All of this came to mind after reading an interesting article from Scientific America about play: 
The Serious Need for Play: Free, imaginative play is crucial for normal social, emotional and cognitive development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter and less stressed.

See previous blog post about play and children:
Kids and preschoolers.

Self-care, self-care, self-care

From the first semester at Antioch, the importance of self-care has been emphasized. As graduate  students, we have a lot of work, and it is not always easy to take time to care for ourselves. However, when entering a the field of counseling, self-care is essential.

First of all, the work we do can be draining. We often work with clients who have experienced trauma. Through listening to their stories, it is easy to develop compassion fatigue or experience symptoms of trauma. Counseling is a field with a  high rate of burn out which effects not only the counselor’s quality of work but also the quality of life. The little things we do for ourselves can make a big difference.

For those of you who begin to argue that you don’t have time for self-care, it is all the more important that you find time. About a year ago, I decided that I couldn’t save all my pleasure reading for semester breaks. I made a promise to myself to read for pleasure every day. I’ve never regretted that decision, even when I’m overwhelmed with class assignments. Around the same time, I decided to sign up for a yoga class. The class meets Monday evenings, and my classes are on Tuesdays. I was a bit concerned that I would find this schedule too daunting. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I felt I had more time, not less, for my studies.

I find the more I pay attention to my needs, the better I’m able to attend to my work. My most recent self-care experience was a trip to Mexico, along the Caribbean coast. Sun, sand, exciting excursions… self-care doesn’t get better than that.