An Introduction to Dance/Movement Therapy

"Movement is a basic form of communication that provides us with opportunities for socialization, the development of community and the experience of expressing our aliveness and our innermost thoughts and feelings." - Nana Koch

In this ADTA Talk, Nana Koch, board certified dance/movement therapist, licensed creative arts therapist and award-winning educator, introduces the viewer to the profession of dance/movement therapy, its history, and describes an approach to group work.

Nana Koch, Ed.D, BC-DMT, LCAT, NCC, LPC, CMA is a board certified dance movement therapist, licensed creative arts therapist and educator. Nana studied with pioneering dance therapist Liljan Espenak in one of the earliest courses she offered at Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospital/Mental Retardation Clinic. Since Espenak’s passing, Nana has been the sole practitioner teaching her system of psychomotor therapy. She has worked with a range of clinical populations including children and adolescents with developmental delays and adolescents and adults with affective disorders, psychosis and/or addictions. Additionally, Nana has taught dance/movement training courses in New York, Costa Rica, India and China.

Currently, Nana is an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Movement Science at Long Island University-Post. She is the former coordinator of the Hunter College Dance/Movement Therapy Masters Program, the former Chair of the American Dance Therapy Association's (ADTA) Sub-Committee for Approval of Alternate Route Courses, the former chair of ADTA’s Credentials Committee and she was a member of ADTA’s Approval Committee (for graduate coursework). She is now on ADTA’s Alternate Route Educators Subcommittee.

In 2012, Nana was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award by the American Dance Therapy Association. In 2011 she was honored with the Amazing Person Award from the Higher Education/Professional Preparation Section of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. In 2009 she was named Higher Education Teacher of the Year by the Nassau Zone of the same organization.

[nanakoch]

Many thanks to all for your comments about how the presentation helped you to better understand what is dance/movement therapy and how it applies to working with a range of client populations. My best, Nana Koch

[JACKIEHAWES-ld]

The statement of how movement is our first form of communication is very eye-opening. When I think about my life I realize how sometimes people know how I'm feeling based on my body movements and posture when I do not even mean to be letting them know how I feel. Movement is a universal language for all.

[Judahtalkss]

Im only 13 and I've been trying to figure out what i want to be and who i want to be so that I have a goal, this is exactly it! I am an excellent dancer and I have gone through LOTS and LOTS of trauma in my life so i feel that i can relate to clients better that way. This has to be my calling to the world!

[morganeberhardt]

I like how she distinguishes the difference between a dance class and dance therapy and how in dance therapy people are encouraged to move however they see fit and to move based on their own personal feelings

[victoriaruiz]

movement being the first form of communication is a statement that highlighted to me just how dance is natural to us. DMT is a form of therapy that can be done in a verity of specialties and locations. A normal session can be seen by having a welcoming to bind the clients through rhythm. The more that one moves the more that we start becoming stimulated leading to the symbolic movement. Being able to dive deeper into what DMT is helps others to understand the importance of it.

[miasteinhauer]

Super interesting how DMT classes or sessions slowly build up until we can find a way to express our inner most feelings and thoughts. Movement is how we first learned to communicate how we felt, and it still helps us today which is cool to see how it comes full circle.

[lei]

This is what I've been looking for my whole life

[lei]

This is my language. I'm going to become a DMT, I have a master's in Clinical mental health counseling and I'll change my whole career path for this

[BayleyREHMAN]

I love this introductory summary of dance therapy. Before this video I had no idea what dance therapy consisted of, but now I have a better understanding. This is going to help me a bunch as I prepare to take my first dance therapy class during my college career.

[KaylaFuller-]

I think it is really cool to see how dance therapy started and what it does now. It was nice to get a breakdown of what happens in a group session and it really helped me visualize what a full group session would look like. I believe this would help us gain shared experiences to build strong relationships as we learn to understand ourselves and one another.

[AnnaRifkin]

I really like how this video goes over a lot of different aspects of dance therapy. It was helpful to gain an understanding of how it came about, how it is used today, and why it is an important method for therapy. I also appreciated the overview of what the therapy sessions usually consist of as it painted a more clear picture.

[NEVAEHMALSZYCKI]

I resonated with Koch's statement that movement is our first form of communication. I think about myself and how sometimes others can tell how I'm feeling before I know. Or someone being able to tell if a person is lying, their body language/movement can speak volumes. It's powerful how much the mind and body intertwine.

[sarahbitter]

This video reinforces the concept that rhythm, dance, and movement can be extremely powerful in building community and making individuals feeling connected to each other. I can see how, in a therapy setting, dance is a great way to connect and build rapport between therapist and client.

[kaitlynleinenweber]

Dance can provoke expression that overcomes barriers and shares genuine feelings. It is so interesting to hear about the different ways individuals connect to the rhythm and to others.

[lucyhenry]

"The body reflects personality. Movement doesn't lie." This is such a strong and undeniable statement. I can think of so many instances in daily life where a small gesture reveals so much. For example, babies show us how they feel through movement before they can speak. Their care givers learn how to respond to their needs based solely on facial and motor expression. Efficient ability to assist one without the use of words has surprisingly endless possibilities.

[WeAreComingHome]

"A circle is egalitarian. Everyone is seen in the same way...they are equal."
You have said this so beautifully. It seems so simple, but the effects of just being together with people in this way can transform the time spent together. This idea will stay with me into the future, hopefully to be implemented when working with others struggling to be seen.

[nayelicangelosi]

I love the importance on how dance is a form of communication and how it is our first way of communicating and how you can tell feeling and personality though movement. The comment about how dance can show and express the inner feelings of people is so fascinating to think about as well!

[MICHAELKEEFE-hy]

I really liked Nana's description of the group dance therapy session. The emphasis on equality of all people involved helped me visualize what is a form of therapy I have had little experience with so far.

[TrinityTompkins]

I enjoyed her comment about rhythm being the connector between people. Every time a good song comes on, you can watch everyones expression in the room change and immediately impact their mood. Thus, as group sessions work to make a deeper connection between movement and emotions, I can understand how dance therapy would be beneficial to those who struggle to communicate. In doing so, patients are able to successfully communicate with others and find closure with their daily struggles.

[rebeccaalterson]

Many people aren't really aware of DMT and how it is used around them. This video shines an excellent light on expressing ourselves and becoming aware of our feelings through a different form of communication.