ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a new view on body-oriented interventions as embodied psychotherapies with the underlying principle of supporting the mind–body connection. Body-oriented methods cover two main practices with different historical roots: While a rich practice of body-oriented psychotherapy leads back to psychoanalysis and is based on theoretic psychodynamic foundation, different forms of movement therapy developed from a reform movement in gymnastics and dance. Body-oriented methods improve clinical intervention strategies, and fill a gap toward a more integrative treatment of schizophrenia. Since schizophrenia is a severe mental illness associated with disruptions in cognition, emotion, and psychosocial functioning, well-being is an important clinical goal and outcome. A deeper understanding of the disorder may help to meet the unmet needs of persons with schizophrenia. The embodiment of affectivity has important implications for the therapeutic practice, because emotional aspects then can be addressed in two ways: via cognitive modulation, but also via corporeal modulation.
