Introduction to Dance Movement Psychotherapy - Short Course

October 2009 - May 2010
(Wednesday Evenings 6.30-8.30 p.m. - Musselburgh Campus)

This course is open to dance and other arts students, artists, health care professionals, teachers and counsellors. It is also open to people who do not necessarily have experience in either dance or a caring profession, but are interested in finding out more about Dance Movement Psychotherapy. This introductory course will be a useful stepping stone for acquiring experience and knowledge before applying for the M.Sc. in Dance Movement Psychotherapy that will offer full professional qualifications.

Completion of the Introductory Course will not entitle certificate holders to register or practise as qualified dance movement psychotherapists. Furthermore, the course will not provide therapy but rather an educational experience in movement/dance and group work as central features of Dance Movement Psychotherapy practice and training. It will also provide introductory information about important Dance Movement Psychotherapy theoretical and practical issues and about relevant Dance Movment Psychotherapy applications.

The programme will be delivered in the form of experiential Dance Movement Psychotherapy workshops, group work, seminars, and short talks. Different approaches to creative movement, dance, other art forms and group work will be explored and facilitated through the range of visiting lecturers contributing to the programme.

Appropriate space for movement work will be offered alongside props, music and some basic art materials. Students will be encouraged to engage creatively in the movement opportunities available and experiment with their own movement preferences. Workshops will entail both moving as well as sharing thoughts about the movement experience. Students will also be expected to attempt to make links between their movement experiences and relevant theoretical or practical issues. Experienced dance movement therapists (and other arts therapists) will facilitate these workshops. Issues of confidentiality and group boundaries will be clearly defined.

Students will have access to the Campus Library on a reference only basis.

Semester One:
Start October (9 two-hour sessions in total)

In this semester the aim will be to offer a broad introduction to the theory and practice of Dance Movement Psychotherapy. There will be an emphasis upon selected traditions in Dance Movement Psychotherapy from the UK and USA (e.g., Laban, Chace, Whitehouse). Issues of history, important theoretical and practical principles and current applications of these traditions will be explored through talks and workshops. In this semester there will also be opportunities to move/dance creatively within a defined group context and experiment with different props and artistic media.

Semester Two:
Start January (9 two-hour sessions in total)

The focus of the semester will be upon exploring different Dance Movement Psychotherapy applications with a diversity of client groups (e.g., clients with mental health issues, learning disabilities, children and older people, etc). During the experiential part of the work, emphasis will be placed upon identifying own movement preferences, exploring different ways of moving and attempting to make links between these experiences and the topics under discussion. Brief tasters of other arts therapies will also be offered by experienced arts therapists.

Course fees
(includes the use of space, props, music and art materials)
Waged: £700
Concessions*: £400

To secure a place on the course, you are advised to apply and pay your fee in full at least 4 working weeks prior to the start of the course. Download application form

The University reserves the right to cancel any course three weeks before commencement IF there are insufficient enrolments. Under these circumstances, the full fee will be returned. Should an applicant wish to withdraw, 80% of the fee will be repaid IF request for cancellation is received in writing at least 3 working weeks before the commencement of the course. There will be no repayment after that date.

*A copy of UB40/student card should be provided

Further information:

For further information about the programme you can contact:

Dr. Vicky Karkou
Senior Lecturer, QMU
0131 474 0000
VKarkou@qmu.ac.uk

For further information about applications and fees please contact:

School of Health Sciences
Queen Margaret University
Musselburgh

Tel: 0131 474 0000     
Fax: 0131 474 0001
Email: HSAdmin@qmu.ac.uk

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