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.
The aim of this study was to explore the practical application of the Sherborne Developmental Movement (SDM) approach in professional practice in the Netherlands and the UK, to gather Latvian dance and movement therapists’ and art therapy students’ reflections on the practical application of SDM, the continuing professional development programme and to find out its practical significance for professional development. A qualitative action research study was considered the most appropriate research design. Like action research, the process of continuous professional development is cyclical and iterative. Action research contributes to practical knowledge. To consolidate such knowledge, it is important to reflect on it or to gain reflection on the activity. In action research, reflection is ensured by a meta-cycle running parallel to the action cycle. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion were used to clarify the results of the study. By combining the results from the semi-structured interviews with foreign practitioners and separately highlighting the results of the focus group discussion, both the views of experienced practitioners and the reflection of new practitioners are presented. The results of the study allow us to see the rationale for the practical application of the SDM approach, which is based on the holistic SDM approach and the broad spectrum of clients, on the one hand, and on the importance of experiential learning, focusing on lifelong professional development, on the other. In the Latvian respondents’ reflections on the practical application of SDM, it can be observed that the door/interest to integrate this approach into professional practice has been opened. A deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings has been gained and the practical incorporation of these principles into practice has begun, first conclusions and insights about the SDM process and the importance of experiential learning have been drawn. Practical advice from experienced foreign practitioners, including the explanation of common mistakes, as well as the reflection revealed in the meta-cycle can be seen as a roadmap for new SDM practitioners, and further training opportunities in Latvia are seen as important. This study can be used by art therapists and students in Latvia to better understand the practical applications and therapeutic benefits of the SDM approach, or to be inspired to develop future cycles of this study. The results of this work and the examples of reflection provided may also be useful in other fields such as education, psychology, and neuroscience due to their interdisciplinary nature.
The aim of this study was to explore the practical application of the Sherborne Developmental Movement (SDM) approach in professional practice in the Netherlands and the UK, to gather Latvian dance and movement therapists’ and art therapy students’ reflections on the practical application of SDM, the continuing professional development programme and to find out its practical significance for professional development.
Research questions:
In the preparation phase:
1. What information can be found on the Sherborne Developmental Movement approach since 2018?
Operational phase:
1. What is the practical application of the Sherborne Developmental Movements Approach in professional practice?
1.1 How is the Sherborne Developmental Movements Approach process planned and organized?
1.2 How is the theoretical basis of the Sherborne Developmental Movement Approach developed and applied
in practice?
2. What is the reflection of Dutch and UK practitioners on the new practitioners?
2.1 What common mistakes have been found when young practitioners start their Sherborne Developmental Movement approach into their practice?
2.2 What are the recommendations for young practitioners when starting to incorporate the Sherborne Developmental Movement approach?
3. What are the reflections of Latvian dance and movement therapists and art therapy students on the continuing professional development program and its practical relevance for their professional development?
The results of the study allow us to see the rationale for the practical application of the
SDM approach, which is based on the holistic SDM approach and the broad spectrum of clients,
on the one hand, and on the importance of experiential learning, focusing on lifelong
professional development, on the other. In the Latvian respondents’ reflections on the practical
application of SDM, it can be observed that the door/interest to integrate this approach into
professional practice has been opened. A deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings
has been gained and the practical incorporation of these principles into practice has begun, first
conclusions and insights about the SDM process and the importance of experiential learning
have been drawn. Practical advice from experienced foreign practitioners, including the
explanation of common mistakes, as well as the reflection revealed in the meta-cycle can be
seen as a roadmap for new SDM practitioners, and further training opportunities in Latvia are
seen as important.
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.