Open Up and Dig Deep - Practical Sessions

For this portfolio, the writer chose to research methods applied in dance movement therapy and to take inspiration from those to facilitate workshops. These workshops would be aimed at students at the undergraduate level who are undertaking a degree in Dance. The purpose for this was for the participants to view dance/movement in a different manner than they were used to. The researcher wanted the workshops to motivate the participants to open up emotionally and to gain a sense of community. In the book Expressive Arts Therapies, it states that
"the therapist may choose to work on a one to one bias is to elicit "authentic" movement or in groups to encourage socialization. She (most dance/movement therapists are women) may prefer to use music to prompt movement response and stimulate emotion (as did Marian Chace), or she may prefer silence to encourage authentic expression. "(Pg 171)
The researcher decided to work in groups as the aim was for socialization (sense of community) and to work in silence for the reason of encouraging real expression and not one dictated by music.

In dance movement therapy, one of the results is catharsis or emotional release.
Activity of the body can help an individual to "let go" of a suppressed emotion which is a goal of the workshops. Many dance movement therapists agree that physical release can lead to an individual being more open and receptive to therapy, or growth, or self awareness. (Pg 174)
In dance movement therapy sessions, communication tends to occur on the subconscious level.
Movements help showcase feelings that aren't distinguished or recognized, feelings that have yet to be communicated verbally. Expressive Arts Therapies says "the movements of the body, therefore, bring to the surface the repressed emotions, the instinctual demands and the unfinished business that we have tried to bury. The symbolic acting out inherent in improvised "authentic" body movements facilitates the emergence of hidden impulses, memories and emotions." (Pg 175)
Opportunity to communicate what one feels physiologically is important and is deemed important by most dance movement therapists.  In the workshop sessions, the researcher wants to see how the participants move and respond to the activities.

Due to the researcher not being trained in the various methods that have mentioned, the researcher's aim is to not assess the participants' mental state or capacity.