Dance/Movement Therapy Courses: 2012-2013

• First Year Courses
• Second Year Courses

First Year Courses

Graduate Seminar in Methods and Theory of Dance/Movement Therapy 1
This course is an historical overview of the foundations and development of dance/movement therapy and the relationship of the field to the origins and development of psychology. We will construct a foundation of theories, principles, and values basic to the practice of dance/movement therapy. Students will be introduced to the use of movement interactions as a means of providing clinical services to groups and individuals.

Movement Observation 1
Students will study developmental movement, with reference to the work of Irmegard Bartenieff and Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, as we consider the developmental and biophysical underpinnings of movement. Skills acquired in this course will be applied to the assessment and appraisal of individuals and groups.

Human Growth and Development
This course will outline the interrelationships between physiological, psychological, cognitive, and socio-cultural factors and their effects on human growth, development, and behavior. Students will gain a basic knowledge of brain development and neuroscience, as they relate to the theory and practice of dance/movement therapy.

Group Work: Theory and Practice 1
Students will learn basic theories and concepts of interventions with small groups. We will explore theories such as Irving Yalom’s interpersonal approach, as well as clinical roles and skills needed for the effective practice of group work in varied clinical settings.

Professional Orientation and Ethics
Students will learn the fundamentals underlying professional ethics in the practice of psychotherapy. In addition to course readings, students will study the ethical standards reflected in and upheld by the American Dance Therapy Association Code of Ethical Practice and the New York State Education Department’s requirements for standards for licensure in Creative Arts Therapy.

Graduate Seminar in Methods and Theory of Dance/Movement Therapy 2
This course builds on the work in Graduate Seminar in Methods and Theory of Dance/Movement Therapy 1 to synthesize dance/movement therapy practice with knowledge of human development. In exploring various clinical circumstances, students will be exposed to techniques of practice specific to clinical populations, such as children, adolescents, physically ill and/or disabled, mentally ill, and survivors of physical and/or emotional trauma and addiction disorders.

Movement Observation 2
Students will be introduced to Rudolf Laban’s system of Movement Analysis, including Laban’s vocabulary, notation, theory, concepts, and philosophy, for use in the clinical practice of dance/movement therapy. Students will also begin to use Laban’s system to analyze their own movement predilections for the purpose of understanding clinical theories such as transference and countertransference and diversity awareness. The work in this course builds on the assessment and appraisal skills for groups and individuals acquired in Movement Observation 1.

Psychopathology
This course is an introduction to psychopathology in which students will learn to recognize and assess the signs and symptoms of mental illness. We will study the biopsychosocial framework used for clinical evaluation and formulation of a differential diagnosis consistent with DSM-IV-TR criteria.

Group Work: Theory and Practice 2
This course will expand on the theory and clinical applications of group work covered in Group Work: Theory and Practice 1 and will focus specifically on group therapy with dance/movement therapy and other creative arts therapies.

Clinical Fieldwork Orientation
Coursework is combined with placement for one day a week within a clinical setting that is designed to provide the student with professional orientation and direct exposure to dance/movement therapy practice, an orientation to health and educational systems, and an understanding of the role and function of the dance/movement therapist within each system. Hours earned in Clinical Fieldwork Placement are not counted toward the Clinical Internship requirement of 700 hours.

Research Methods
This course is an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and techniques. Students will learn to apply research techniques such as data collection and analysis, both as researchers and to enhance clinical interpretation and practice skills.

Second Year Courses

Graduate Seminar in Methods and Theory of Dance/Movement Therapy 3
This course builds on the work completed in Methods and Theory of Dance/Movement Therapy 1 and 2 to synthesize the practice of DMT into models of treatment. Students will examine multicultural perspectives in DMT. They will also identify their own cultural values and beliefs, as well as examine the values and beliefs of other cultures, especially with regard to illness, physical and emotional disability, health and healing. We will also look at the socioeconomic influences on health and wellness. Students will collaborate to create and implement a multicultural community-based movement project.

Movement Observation 3
Students will continue with the course work in Movement Observation 1 and 2, especially with the application of Laban's Movement Analysis in clinical practice. This course will also provide an introduction to the fundamentals of the Kestenberg Movement Profile, a theoretically based assessment tool that examines psychological development through body movement. The importance of movement assessment tools will be emphasized as they relate to developing trends in neuroscience.

Clinical Internship Practicum
This course will use a group supervision format to oversee and develop the internship experience by strengthening clinical appraisal skills and movement and observation assessment through oral presentation of cases, as well as written diagnostic evaluations that will include the student's clinical process and interventions.

Clinical Treatment Planning
Students will build on concepts learned in Psychopathology to refine their assessment skills in developing treatment plans consistent with DSM-IV criteria. The role of pharmacotherapy will be included. We will also examine clinical interventions and treatment planning with a focus on developing clinical writing as it relates to specific settings and populations.

Graduate Thesis 1
This course will offer students the structure to apply what they have learned in Research Methods toward developing their own research projects, with the goal of completing data collection and a preliminary of the graduate thesis. Group support, consultation and technical assistance will be provided in the class, as well as in meetings with faculty advisors.

Graduate Seminar in Methods and Theory of Dance/Movement Therapy 4
This course will examine clinical applications of other creative arts modalities, such as poetry, art, music and drama, for the purpose of understanding their relationship to DMT and how they can be used in conjunction with movement as a treatment intervention. We will also analyze artistic elements of dance, including choreography and performance, as support for a variety of mental health treatment goals.

Clinical Internship Practicum 2
Students will be expected to present an in-service on dance/movement therapy at their clinical internship locations. They will be on-site for a minimum of 350 hours.

Graduate Thesis 2
Students will work with their thesis advisors and second readers to complete the final thesis project.