Dance Movement Psychotherapy - MA

• Build a rewarding career as a professionally-qualified registered dance movement psychotherapist. Graduates are eligible to register with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (ADMP UK).
• Benefit from our established network of psychotherapists and gain work experience within a supervised clinical placement in a range of settings. 
• In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, the leading national assessment of quality, 100% of the research we submitted was rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for its impact.
• The only institution in Europe to offer training in all of the arts and play therapies, including dramatherapy, art and dance movement psychotherapy, music and play therapy.

Summary

This course is designed for people who have prior dance experience and professional or volunteering experience with people in need, and would like to practise as a dance movement psychotherapist.

Dance movement psychotherapy is a relational process in which a client and therapist engage in an empathetic creative process using body movement and dance to assist the integration of emotional, cognitive, physical, social and spiritual aspects of self. We believe that focusing on the creative potential of individuals in a relationship creates a sound ethical basis for psychotherapeutic work.

You will be taught by leading experts who will equip you with the skills, experience, and confidence to work as a dance movement psychotherapist. All graduating students are eligible to apply for registration with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy (ADMP UK). Graduates often create their own positions; facilitating dance movement psychotherapy sessions within settings including: social services; special needs; schools; psychiatry; probationary and rehabilitation units; forensic psychiatry.

The course offers opportunities for you to explore and expand movement preferences, ways of interacting with others, belief systems, prejudices and values. Emphasis is placed on development of your own style as a dance movement psychotherapist. You also have the opportunity to perform and exhibit your ongoing work in a yearly Arts Therapies exhibition.

The MA in DMP benefits from cutting edge research conducted through the Centre for Arts Therapies Research (CATR) and this feeds directly into teaching. The programme ethos emphasises a critical consideration of different descriptions and explanations of bodies, human systems and therapeutic practices in different places and times. In the context of an individual student's experiences, beliefs, values and different 'cultures', our teaching actively promotes a participatory ethic, self-reflexive practices and the ability for critical reflection on: creative processes, intersubjectivity and the construction of social and power differentials, in learning and in psychotherapy.

Content

The uniquely interdisciplinary MA course in Dance Movement Psychotherapy integrates theoretical, experiential and clinical learning, preparing students to practice as dance movement psychotherapists. Cutting edge research cascades into teaching emphasising the social, biological and psychological construction of the moving body and meaning-making. Students are encouraged to develop a self-reflexive practice and the ability for critical reflection on creative processes.

Key areas of study include Contemporary DMP and psychotherapeutic theories, Feminist embodied reflexivity, clinical placement and supervision (for one-two days a week), dance movement improvisation skills and interventions, embodied performance practice, experiential anatomy for clinical practice, human development, movement and growth, Laban Movement Analysis and video observation.

Embodied practice and working with attention to the art of dance is placed at the centre of the programme. Drawing from Feminist, Psychoanalytical, Phenomenological and Systemic frameworks, the training emphasises the creative role of curiosity and a 'not knowing' position, a respect for difference, and appreciation of the effects that mutual influences have in all relationships.

We also offer introductory courses which provide a useful background in related professions. For more information on our Introduction Courses, Summer Schools and Foundation Courses, see our Psychology Short Courses. 

Modules

Part-time mode (3 years)

Year 1 

Compulsory modules

• Human Development and Growth
• Creative Processes: Reflexive Movement Improvisation
• Fieldwork Skills and Supervision
• Theoretical Approaches in Dance Movement Psychotherapy
• Experiential Anatomy for Clinical Practice

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Process Group
• Research Methods and Portfolio (Part A)
• Psychopathology: Alternative World Views
• Dance Movement Skills: Observations and Interventions
• Clinical Practice: Placement and Supervision (Part A)

Year 3 

Compulsory modules

• Research Methods and Portfolio
• Clinical Practice: Placement and Supervision

Full-time mode (2 years)

Year 1 

Compulsory modules

• Human Development and Growth
• Research Methods and Portfolio (Part A)
• Creative Processes: Reflexive Movement Improvisation
• Fieldwork Skills and Supervision
• Theoretical Approaches in Dance Movement Psychotherapy 
• Experiential Anatomy for Clinical Practice
• Psychopathology: Alternative World Views
• Dance Movement Skills: Observations and Interventions (Part A)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Process Group
• Research Methods and Portfolio (Part B)
• Clinical Practice: Placement and Supervision
• Dance Movement Skills: Observations and Interventions (Part B)

Compulsory and Required modules

Compulsory and/or required modules may change when we review and update programmes. Above is a list of modules offered this academic year.

Optional modules

Optional modules, when offered as part of a programme, may vary from year to year and are subject to viability.

Career options

Graduates can enter a variety of roles including: NHS clinical practice within in and outpatient services, community services, prison services, special needs schools, performing arts contexts, drug rehabilitation, in social services with immigrants and asylum seekers, in shelters with women who have suffered domestic abuse, dementia services, learning disabilities services, child and adolescent mental health services.

Short Courses

We also offer weekend introductory courses, 5 day Summer Schools, and 20 week part time evening Foundation Courses which provide a useful background in related professions. For more information, see our Psychology Short Courses.

Visit the Dance Movement Psychotherapy - MA page on the University of Roehampton website for more details!