Dance Movement Therapy Research Paper

Michelle Townsend

Annotated Bibliography

Boris, R. (2001). The Root of Dance Therapy: A Consideration of Movement, Dancing, and

Verbalization vis-a-vis Dance/ Movement Therapy. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 21, 3, 356-367.

Published in a peer reviewed journal and written by Ruthanna Boris who holds positions with both the Center for Dance Development and Research and the University of Washington, Seattle this article is a narrative written about the history of what we call dance/ movement therapy. In this first person narrative we follow a former dance performer through the transition from student in a class to a teaching setting of dance therapy using a previous talent in an entirely new way. The authors use of first person point of view allows for a more personal interpretation and describes a typical dance/ movement therapy session also sharing observations regarding the group involved. Also in this historical telling we learn of the early trials of dance/ movement therapy and the benefits that are more common knowledge than proven fact, “words alone do not reach deep enough” (Boris, 2001) to communicate our innermost feelings, fears, and desires, sometimes non-verbal communication is just as important as verbalization.

Holyoake, D.-D. & Reyner, C. (2005). Moving Body and Mind a Nurse Led Dance group for Young

People with a Mental Illness. Paediatric Nursing, 17, 4, 36-39.

This study, conducted by a therapist and a highly credentialed nurse consultant on staff at hospital, follows a small group of adolescents with a variety of mental health problems through an introduction to dance/ movement therapy to have them attempt to self direct in a positive manner. The study has the positive outcome of increased social acceptance among members of the group, increased participation in physical activity, and improved communication between peers. “It has also forced them to break the mould and be spontaneous, to take a chance with nothing but their own bodies”...