ABSTRACT
Dance/movement therapy evolved from the art of dance and is founded on the healing processes of creativity inherent in that art. Lacking is the delineation of creative elements and how they manifest specifically to form the DMT process. This chapter sets forth the creative process of DMT, outlining stages and elements that appear within each stage to facilitate therapeutic change. Ten components and their roles in the creative movement process are defined in the context of each stage to illustrate how the movement process unfolds and leads to self-awareness and integration. Examples from the art of dance are provided, illustrating how each stage may take physical form to facilitate each necessary element. The therapist’s role in the evolution of the DMT creative process is proposed in the context of working with psychiatric populations. Finally, a case example provides a practical illustration of the creative process theory discussed in the chapter.
