written by Martina Isecke, MA, Registered Dance Movement Psychotherapist RDMP and Private Practitioner and Supervisor (ADMP UK)
According to the American Dance Therapy Association ADTA, Dance Movement Therapy (called DMT in the following) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of individuals. So, what does this mean in everyday language? The way you move is the way you
feel and vice versa. We can distinguish a sad person with a sunken introverted posture and a slow walk from a happy person who might be more outgoing, making eye-contact and moving with more energy. These two people show a different body expression to their environment but they use a common language, which both
(and others) understand even without words - the body language.
If we move how we feel then can we also feel the way we move? Yes, is the answer. DMTs make use of the transformatic power of movement functioning as an agent for physical, emotional and cognitive change. During a DMT session the therapist meets the person where she/ he is and structures a warm-up according
to the needs or themes the client has verbalised at the beginning of the session. Client and therapist then get into a kind of movement dialogue where the therapist draws on her/ his knowledge about movement analisis and the psychological foundation of movement development. The therapist might give subtle encouragement to the client for changing comfy but stereotype patterns or just "stick it out" with clients, who at some stage might get "fed up" with their own comfort zone and might move out of it towards change and personal
growth, basically trying a "new movement". In this way a "new feeling" can emerge within clients. A new perspective into their own problems and life situations can develop and grow.
DMT can work in 1:1 sessions as well as in DMT groups, which also offer a great chance to promote change via the group dynamic and the feedback from other group members. In addition one does not feel so alone with one's problems if one can share about them in a group and that's also a great healing factor.
DMTs work in different places, e. g. in educational settings such as nurseries or in schools or adult education centres. They can also work in rehabilitation with patients, who suffer from chronic illness or with physically or mentally disabled people. They work in medical settings, such as General Hospitals or clinics for psychiatric patients. They can work in GP's clinics as well as in public health or education services, such as prisons, nursing homes, day care centres. DMTs are rather flexible and not "stiff upper lip", maybe because movement is very "down to earth", and movement communication can still flow even if there are no words.
That's why DMTs are also often working with non verbal or partially verbal people who might suffer from autism, some disabilities or after accidents. Generally a DMT can help people who have suffered any kind of post-traumatic stress, be it in the past or fairly recent. Because of the creative approach of DMT and the transformative power of movement the incident, which has caused stress, can be "worked through" with movement imagery and therefore also emotionally. The stress can be left behind and the person can "move on" in life.
Cancer, stroke, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Parkinson's disease patients are also often seen by DMTs, and people who suffer from psychosomatic disorders, anxiety and depression, and of course the elderly. People with dementia can benefit a lot from DMT as it will give them back a sense of identity and personal integrity, when moving and being finally understood what they might not be able to express in words but in movement.
And then of course all the children whose daily realm is moving! The hyperactive child can be supported in feeling accepted and the kid with emotional or motivational problems as well. There are no age limits regarding with who DMTs are working, some even with babies and their mothers or parents.
Got interested? Or feel it could help you to move out of your "comfort zone" and dare a new "movement" and therefore a new behaviour?
For more information or an initial appointment and, a so-called "taster session", contact Martina Isecke at tinaise@yahoo.co.uk or at Tel. 0049 (0)30 239 76 967 . She is a DMT, currently living in Berlin, with over 27 years experience of working with clients of different age groups, cultural backgrounds and languages in the UK, Germany and Spain. Just call..... and then see the next move and......do it.......!
Copyright © 2010 Martina Isecke Copyright © 2015 Martina Isecke
