ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of Daniel Stern's fascinating ideas about the kinds of moments that occur in therapy. Stern studied the different kinds of moments that can occur within the course of a therapy session. It is necessary to gain a clear overview of Stern's model in order to assess to what extent it might be applicable to arts-based therapy. Stern suggests the therapist–client dyad of moving along is similar to a mother–infant relationship in which the mother and her baby play and enjoy one another for the sake of it, without any specifically stated goals within the interaction. Stern suggests there is inevitably an improvised quality, even a "sloppiness" to the process of Moving Along in therapy. The chapter argues that Stern's model can usefully be applied to arts-based psychotherapy, but amendments are necessary to accommodate the uniquely triangular relationship of therapist–art–client.
