Creative Arts Therapies

Focus: Dance Movement Therapy

Activity

Use the piece of paper in front of you and draw a picture of whatever come to mind.

Take a couple of minutes

What does your picture mean?

Trade pictures and see if you can find a deeper meaning in what you see.

Let your neighbor know what emotions you see.

Let’s Discuss

How does music make you feel?

What songs do you like and why?

What is it about the song that makes you feel a certain way?

What emotions do you feel when you hear music?

Has a particular song ever got you through a hard time?

How do you feel when you dance?

When you are dancing what emotions do you feel.

Does dance provide an emotional outlet for you?

In what ways, share with the group

MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPANY

These are all the ways creative arts therapies can help!!!!

Definition of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is defined as:

The treatment of a behavior disorder, mental illness, or any other condition by psychological means. Psychotherapy may utilize insight, persuasion, suggestion, reassurance, and instruction so that patients may see themselves and their problems more realistically and have the desire to cope effectively with them.

Definition of Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind or

The science that deals with mental processes and behavior.

Chemicals in the brain can actually control behavior

For example: Serotonin is the neuro-transmitter that induces happiness.

This chemical is released when you exercise!

Do you think you have a soul and is it connected to your mind?

Dance Movement Therapy

A creative art therapy that is rooted in the expressive nature of dance itself. Dance is the most fundamental of the arts, involving a direct expression and experience of oneself through the body. It is a basic form of authentic communication, and as such it is an especially effective medium for therapy. Based in the belief body, mind and the spirit are interconnected movement therapy is defined as:

Dance Movement Therapy

A creative art therapy that is rooted in the expressive nature of dance itself. Dance is the most fundamental of the arts, involving a direct expression and experience of oneself through the body. It is a basic form of authentic communication, and as such it is an especially effective medium for therapy. Based in the belief body, mind and the spirit are interconnected movement therapy is defined as:

The psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process that furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual>

http://www.adta.org

Homework

Directions

Pick one of the following disorders and look up the definition of the illness. In a 1-2 page paper describe what the illness is and how you thing dance movement therapy could be used to help.

Mental Illness Disorders

Cerebral Palsy Depression Autism Parkinson’s Disease Bi-Polar Disorder Attention Deficit Disorder Eating Disorders Post Traumatic Stress

Syndrome Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Resources

Library: look up books about psychology or mental illness

Web Pages : NO WIKI’S!!!!

www.nami.org

www.webmd.com/mental-health

Journal of Psychology

American Dance Therapy Association