The Body as a Tool: Using Dance/Movement, Creativity, and Expression in Counseling

“When we pay focused attention on our bodily sensations, we can

recognize the ebb and flow of our emotions and, with that, increase our

control over them.” Bessel van der Kolk

(2014, p. 208)

The Body as a Tool:

Using Dance/Movement, Creativity, and Expression in Counseling

Sara R. van KoningsveldMA, PCCI, R-DMT, GL-CMA

Objectives: By attending this session...Attendees will acquire an understanding of the

foundations of dance/movement therapy theory and the application of body movement in counseling practice.

Participants will expand knowledge of movement, including: observation skills, descriptive terms, and self-awareness/ body knowledge, through experiential activities.

The presenter will assimilate research on mind-body integration, holistic health, and wellness, as they relate to dance/movement therapy and counseling.

Sara R. van Koningsveld, MA, PCCI, R-DMT, GL-CMA

What is Dance/Movement Therapy?Roots in modern dance and improvisation.

1940s and 1950s: profession developed

American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA): 1966

1970s emergence of Master’s programs[Currently (6) in US and alternate route option]

American Journal of Dance Therapy (AJDT): 1977[Springer/ 36 volumes]

2000: National Board of Certified Counselors recognizes DMT as a form of Therapy

Board Certification/credentialing began in 2009 Sara R. van Koningsveld, MA, PCCI, R-DMT, GL-CMA

What is Dance/Movement Therapy? According to ADTA:

“…psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual.” (ADTA.org)

Dance/movement therapy is: Focused on movement behavior as it emerges in the

therapeutic relationship. Expressive, communicative, and adaptive behaviors are all considered for group and individual treatment. Body movement, as the core component of dance, simultaneously provides the means of assessment and the mode of intervention for dance/movement therapy.

Is used with people of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds in individual, couples, family and group therapy formats.

Similar application and philosophy to: somatic therapy, yoga/yoga therapy, expressive arts therapy


Movement ExperientialWelcome Tool


The Mind-Body ConnectionEvery experience, including our thoughts, are

connected to physical sensations and structurally rooted in our brain.

Body is the physical substance.

Mind is “the patterns in the flow of energy and information” due to neural activity of the brain (Siegel, 1999, p. 3).

The energy and information flows within the individual and between brains.

Shared experiences – shared mind. Personal and professional relationships


Movement ExperientialBody Awareness(Daniel Siegel)


DMT in Clinical PracticeBeginning the therapy process with noticing and

describing feelings the body. Physical sensations: pressure, temperature, tension, etc. “I help them become aware of their breath, their

gestures and movements.” (van Der Kolk, 2014, p. 101) Subtleties: posture, eye contact, patterns of breathing,

and voice changes

Re-educate the mind through the body. Create new neural pathways/ rewire the brain. Reconnect physical sensations with psychological events. Mindfulness, physical movement, breathing, meditation.

Practices of Western culture vs. others of the world.Sara R. van Koningsveld, MA, PCCI, R-DMT, GL-CMA

DMT in Psychotherapy/ CounselingDMT interventions “engage somatic, emotional,

and perceptual processes simultaneously.” (Homann, 2010, p. 81)

Spontaneous movement improvisation vs. structured dance/movement experiences

“Movement helps individuals to bypass verbal defenses and to enter deeper realms of personal realization.” (Levy, 2014, p. 8)

Somatic attunement: experience of being with another and “feeling felt”. (Siegel, 1999, p. 70)


Body KnowledgeKinesthetic Sense/ Kinesthetic Awareness

Felt/sensory experience allows the mind to assess and interpret a situation, take action, and respond accordingly (movement which is interpreted by others).

Humane Effort…enables us to learn, grow, and change in

movement, building awareness of the relationship between mind and body.

Body Knowledge/ Body PrejudiceAwareness of own movement patterns (body

knowledge) and awareness of kinesthetic response (body prejudice) while observing others.


DMT, Mirror Neurons, & EmpathyMirror neurons provide a foundation for

empathy, love, and human relationships.

DMT interventions that include body-based mirroring are observed to increase client’s ability to engage in interactions with others and read facial expressions.

Individuals with high tendency for empathy will copy others more than others.


Movement ExperientialObservation through Mirroring


Movement Observation & AssessmentObserving cues:

BreathingEye contactPosture(s)/gesture(s)Rhythms & patterns

Body Knowledge/ Body Prejudice

Developed systems:Kestenberg Movement ProfileBartenieff Fundamental ConnectivitiesMovement Pattern AnalysisLaban Movement AnalysisSara R. van Koningsveld, MA, PCCI, R-DMT, GL-CMA

Laban Movement Analysis Body: What is moving?

Identify parts/segments

Effort: Why is it moving? Time (accelerating / decelerating) Weight (increasing pressure / decreasing pressure) Space (directing / indirecting) Flow (binding / freeing)

Shape: How is it moving? Spoke, arc, curve Spreading/ rising/ advancing Enclosing/ sinking/ retreating

Space: Where is it moving? Dimensions, Diagonals, etc.Sara R. van Koningsveld, MA, PCCI, R-DMT, GL-CMA

Movement ExperientialStory Telling with LMA


(Imus, 2014)

Dance

Movement

Therapy

Considerations with Dance/Movement


Dance/Movement in Clinical Practice Ethical Considerations

Scope of practice Training, education, and license

Therapeutic Dance/Movement vs. Dance/Movement Therapy

“Dance/movement therapists engage in both bio-psycho-social and movement assessment for the purposes of intentional verbal or nonverbal intervention and assessment.” (Imus, 2014)

Questions to consider: Is movement [and the body] being used as a tool or as the medium

of therapy/counseling? How is movement [and the body] informing your process in the

therapy/counseling session? Others??


ConclusionsDance/Movement Therapy as a Clinical

Profession

Laban Movement Analysis as an Observation Tool

Considerations in applying Dance/Movement

Basic Dance/Movement Tools


References:Fiscalani, S. & Rytz, T. (2010, September). Mind-body awareness in the

treatment of eating disorders and obesity. Presentation given at American Dance Therapy Association Conference, Brooklyn, NY.

Homann, K.B. (2010). Embodied concepts of neurobiology in dance/movement therapy practice. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 32(1), 80-99.

Imus, S. (2014). Dance/movement therapy and scope of practice. Presentation given at Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Laban, R. (1988). The mastery of movement (4th ed., rev.). Plymouth, England: Northcote House Publishers Ltd.

Levy, F.J. (2014). Integrating the Arts in Psychotherapy: Opening Doors of Shared Creativity. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 36(1), 6-27.

Newlove, J. (1993). Laban for actors and dancers. New York, NY: Routledge.

North, M. (1975). Personality assessment through movement. London, England: Plays, Inc.


References (con’t):Rothschild, B. (2006). Help for the helper: The psychophysiology of

compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. W.W. Norton & Company.Siegel, D. J. (1999). The developing mind: Toward a neurobiology of

interpersonal experience. New York: Guilford Press.Siegel, D. J. (2006). An interpersonal neurobiology approach to

psychotherapy: How awareness, mirror neurons and neural plasticity contribute to the development of well-being. Psychiatric Annals, 36(4), 248-258.

Siegel, D. J. (2007). The mindful brain: Reflection and attunement in the cultivation of well-being. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Siegel, D. J. (2010). The mindful therapist. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score. New York: Viking.


Presentations & Public Speaking

The Body as a Tool: Using Dance/Movement, Creativity, and Expression in Counseling