It's been a while...

And after writing my thesis and graduating last spring, I have had a challenging time getting back to writing - whether it's on paper or at the computer.

I am busily engaged in my alternate route DMT courses, and came across this video on the ADTA website. It is lovely to see so many applications of dance therapy. Thought I'd share.

Watch the full episode. See more Experience.

Augusta Moore talks about Dance with Teens

Augusta Moore talks about how dance can help during the teen years. Watch her discuss release, expression, and direction dance can lend here.

Anna Halprin Breaks Barriers

Here is a post from Musings of a Dance/Movement Therapist blog about postmodern dancer and pioneer, Anna Halprin and the documentary about her, titled "Breath Made Visible." Halprin, turning 90 years old this year, lives in Marin, CA, and continues to teach and inspire others through movement and drawing.

The documentary plays in Santa Cruz on May 15th, 2010. Check here for more information on the film.

Music Heals.

The Dana Foundation newsletter recently released this article on How Music Helps to Heal the Injured Brain. Happy reading!

Become a Dance/Movement Therapist! Trainings in Northern California Start June 4th!

Here ye, Here ye!

FINALLY, Northern California gets some gold! The Center for Movement Education and Research offers certification courses for aspiring dance/movement therapists at Sonoma State University starting this June, 2010.

Sign up TODAY!

INFO:

You MUST enroll in both DMT I & II if you want want to fulfill the DMT Alternate Route Training. Go online for an application and send in your 50% Deposit by April 1, 2010. Classes will be cancelled without sufficient enrollment.


Theoretical Origins of Dance/Movement Therapy: Foundations Level I
June 4,5,6 & July 9, 10, 11, 12 2010

This is an introductory level course reviewing the theoretical origins of dance/movement therapy as a therapeutic modality. The foundational tenets defining dance/movement therapy as a creative, healing and integrating process will be presented in relation to self and other awareness and insight oriented symbolic functioning. The course will review the history and conceptual development of the major pioneers in the field and the application of their work within various settings. Additionally the cultural, ritual, modern dance and nonverbal communication historical elements will be reviewed.

Course Hours: 45 Contact Hours
Course Instructor and Credentials: Janet Lester, Psy.D., ADTR
Dates: June 4,5,6 & July 9,10,11 2010
Location: Sonoma State University
Times: 9-5:30 Friday-Sunday
Fee: $1200.00/ 45 Hour CE Credit for MFT/LCSW (Provider #3888)


Theoretical Developments in Dance/Movement Therapy: Elaborations Level II
Aug 6, 7, 8 & Oct 8, 9, 10 2010

This course has been approved by the American Dance Therapy Association as meeting requirements for the Alternate Route D.T.R. credential and satisfies 45 hours of DMT Theory & Practice Training. This is a Theory Course in Dance/Movement Therapy elaborating on the concepts of the creative process, the creative process in dance/ movement therapy and the role of the “moving imagination” in promoting psychological transformation. The importance of fostering creative processes in therapeutic dance experience will be reviewed from a depth oriented perspective. The course will also investigate the creative process involved in developing an empathic therapeutic relationship in dance/movement therapy. Each day movement experientials will be offered to explore the presented concepts as well as the creative aspects of improvisational and choreographic processes as they pertain to dance/movement therapy.(A prerequisite for alternate route training course enrollment is the satisfactory completion of a Foundations Theory Course in Dance/Movement Therapy – Level I.).
Course Hours: 45 Contact Hours
Course Instructor and Credentials: Paula Perlman LMFT, ADTR, CLMA
Dates: Aug 6, 7, 8 & Oct 8, 9, 10 2010
Location: Sonoma State University
Times: 9-5:30 Friday-Sunday
Fee: $1200.00/ 45 Hour CE Credit for MFT/LCSW (Provider #3888)

For Information and Application Contact:
Judy Gantz-CMER Director
POB 2001
Sebastopol, CA 95473
judy@movement-education.org
(310) 477-9535
www.movement-education.org

The Labor of Love

I am somewhat obsessed (in a healthy way) with two contemporary choreographers. Here is a video link to one of them, KT Nelson (of ODC Dance), discussing her new work: Labor of Love. I thought it timely due to Valentines' Day, and I'm relieved to see that her work is not just about the beauty and wonderful times loving another, but also dives into the messy and not so glamorous moments, when love is work. I find Nelson's choreography intoxicating. Her work with ODC Dance is unbelievable and not to be missed.

Here is Labor of Love.

My sweetie is in Mexico, but I'm smelling sweet roses while I prepare to cook my family a gorgeous feast of delectable tasty treats - shrimp scampi, antipasti, and artichokes. This is how I'm focusing on love today - with labor and gratitude for my family.

Sunday Salon : This Sunday, Feb 7th

Who needs the super bowl when you can spend time with other dance/movement therapists?!

DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPISTS!
PLEASE JOIN US

FOR A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
WINTER SALON
(sponsored by the Southern California Chapter of the ADTA)

SUNDAY, FEB 7 2-5pm
WESTERN SKY STUDIO, 2525 8TH Street
Berkeley, CA 94710

· MEET AND RE-CONNECT WITH FELLOW NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPISTS!

· GET UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON LPCC LISCENSURE REQUIREMENTS, and CREATE STUDY GROUPS

· VISION PLAN FOR OUR CALIFORNIA CHAPTER’S FUTURE

· CELEBRATE AND MOVE TOGETHER---IT’S FREE!

We invite all of you to join us at this important time in California DMT history. With the opportunity for dance therapists to obtain LPCC State Licensure, and a renewal of Northern California member participation in what may soon officially merge as a Northern and Southern California Chapter, now is a great time for you to get involved.
Come to our Salon, and be a part of the revitalization of Dance/movement Therapy in Northern California!

DMT course in March: DMT in HEALTHCARE

CMER is offering Dance/Movement Therapy In Healthcare: PREVENTION, TREATMENT
& AFTERCARE on March 19, 20, 21 2010 at Pomona College --Claremont CA 9:00am
6:30pm.

Dance/Movement Therapy In Healthcare:
PREVENTION, TREATMENT & AFTERCARE

This course has been approved by the American Dance Therapy Association as meeting requirements
for the Alternate Route R-DMT credential and satisfies 25 hours of DMT Theory & Practice Training.
This course is approved for CE by the ADTA.

This course meets the qualifications for 25 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs
and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Provider #3888).


Course Content/Description:

This dance/movement therapy theory and practice course covers the role of
dance/movement therapy in the prevention and treatment of illness, and in the
maintenance of health and well being. This course will be divided into three sections to
cover the dance/movement therapy principles and applications specific to prevention,
to treatment, and to aftercare.

In the section on prevention, this course focuses on dance/movement therapy
contributions to health and well being in response to the somatic, emotional and
cognitive consequences of stress and trauma. The section on treatment addresses
dance/movement therapy in a medical context and as an adjunctive treatment for illness.

The section on aftercare focuses on the role of dance/movement therapy in coming
to terms with treatment outcomes, creating new choices, and finding new meaning.
All sections will focus on self regulation, self expression, and self in relationship, all
fundamental to health and well being. The specific attention throughout to body awareness,
creativity, and attunement, will amplify aspects of dance/movement therapy theory and
practice, as well as provide a foundation for a somatically oriented psychotherapy practice.


Course Objectives:


1) Students will become familiar with the concepts of prevention and wellness in dance/movement
therapy practice.

2) Students will gain understanding of the cognitive, somatic and emotional impact of stress and
trauma on health and well being.

3) Students will develop an understanding of the application of dance/movement therapy theory
and practice in the treatment of illness in a medical context.

4) Students will learn interventions, applicable both to the student as therapist and to work with
patients, that are grounded in the principles of dance/movement therapy and based in the
concept of preventive care and maintenance of health.

To sign up, contact Judy@movement-education.org

CMER DMT with Seniors CANCELLED

Dance/Movement Therapy with Seniors Course for January and February is CANCELLED.

Yes. Another course has been cancelled due to low enrollment. Sigh.

Without attending (or hence, graduating) from these classes, I will not be able to become a dance/movement therapist. I feel held back while I'm rarin' to go!

My efforts and energies are currently focused on my thesis, but when it's done, it's on. Nobody will be able to hide! I plan on recruiting everyone I know and everyone I don't know to become dance therapists in California. This profession will thrive with a new generation of DMTs in this wonderful state!