What is Dance Movement Therapy (DMT)?
DMT is defined by the European Association Dance Movement Therapy (EADMT) as ‘the therapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual and social integration of the individual.
Resilience is the process of ‘bouncing back’ from difficult experiences, adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress. Resilience can be learned and developed in anyone. Research shows that it is an ordinary trait in humans and people commonly demonstrate resilience every day. Supportive relationships within and outside the family are important factors in resilience. Evidence of resilience is further demonstrated by a person, or community, having:
Building resilience is a personal journey and is reflected in cultural differences and using diverse strategies.
“The creative force belongs equally to the space of reality and the realm of fantasy”
Mary Wigman
EADMT took a view of the Dance Movement Therapy profession and community across Europe and beyond, and identified in the early 21st century that the many faces of current adversity require resilience as practitioners, educators, researchers and administrators. The EADMT, by hosting this conference with the theme of Resilience, aims to provide a basis for future collaboration and communication across the continent. EADMT encourages the profession to recognise and have confidence in its strengths and particular abilities, and to robustly engage and communicate with the wider scientific world. Change is always with us; we must learn to embrace the challenges that meet us in our work places, amongst colleagues, across disciplines, and view them as positive encouragement to think and work even more creatively. As a profession and as a DMT community we must take a fresh look at our goals and take decisive actions to realise them. Such action requires working together towards common goals, utilising the individual strengths we bring to the table to create a powerful whole. Working in collaboration gives us strength to nurture an increasing positive identity of others and ourselves.
“Dance is a living language that is spoken by people and speaks of people!”
Mary Wigman
When we work with clients, this is the very epicenter of our focus – developing personal resources to ‘bounce back’, re-align themselves, extend their vision to a wider perspective and reach out. Bouncing also requires flexibility – the ability to sway in the wind of change without being blown over or feel the need to stick rigidly to the known. The papers and workshops this weekend offer conference delegates the opportunity to explore beyond their usual territory, to engage with others who are talking the ‘same language’, be inspired by innovative practice and above all, make new friends with whom we can gain and offer support on our ongoing personal journey.
Susan Scarth&AntonellaMonteleone
Inspired by the American Psychological Association’s definition of Resilience, and who permit EADMT to cite extracts.
Road to Resilience found on www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx#
DMT is defined by the European Association Dance Movement Therapy (EADMT) as ‘the therapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual and social integration of the individual.