Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides much needed evidence for policy-makers, employers and funders. The book provides ease of access to dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) theory, research and practice to global readers from within the DMP community, and to others such as those from arts therapies, counseling or psychotherapy, body psychotherapy and arts in health practice. It offers rich pickings in terms of the underlying principles of the processes involved when engaging in DMP for personal therapy and development. The book provides an exploration of the application of touch in dance movement psychotherapy’. It demonstrates how dynamic and rhythmic movement activities are used to support the integration of the body-mind to address the non-verbal interpersonal relationship between participants. The book examines the inherent physiobiological stress-reactions involved in a traumatic experience.