Chapter in ” Danstherapie, Verkenningen van het werkveld”. Edited by Rosemarie Samaritter, Ina Van Keulen and Nicki Wentholt. p.347-360, ACCO, 2020. https://www.accouitgeverij.nl/winkel/danstherapie
Chapter 9 in “Arts Therapies and Gender Issues: International Perspectives on Research: The Therapist’ Gender Identity In Dance Movement Therapy; Does It matter?” Edited by Susan Hogan, p.119-137, Routledge, 2020
Thesis Master programme Dance Movement Therapy Codarts,
The therapist’s gender in dance movement group therapy: does it matter?
Abstract
A qualitative research that focuses on how male and female dance movement therapists experience their gender in the process of a dance movement group therapy with a mixed-gender client group. Research methods are questionnaires, observations, LMA and personal notes. Data is very varied, nevertheless the research provides interesting findings: there is a difference in how male and female TH experience their gender in the therapeutic relationship and this is particular visible in the use of more Bound Flow and Strong Weight by male therapists. At the same time they also seem to compensate on some elements of Free Flow and Light Weight. All together a picture is drawn of some struggles for the male therapists how to position them within the therapeutic relationship from a gendered point of view. Stereotypic gender role expectations still seem to be an important influence. Although much more research has to be done, especially on the unconscious bodily aspects, it would be good for (future) therapists to explore their less preferred movement qualities to balance feminine and masculine therapeutic traits within their bodies while working. For future research a research tool that integrates cognition and bodily experience should be developed.
Key Words: Gender, therapeutic relationship, Dance Movement Therapy, group therapy, body-oriented therapy, Laban Movement Analysis.
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Artikel in Psychologiemagazine, Oktober 2012
