Dance Therapy & Depth Psychology; The Moving Imagination

Dance/movement as active imagination was originated by Jung in 1916. Developed in the 1960s by dance therapy pioneer Mary Whitehouse, it is today both an approach to dance therapy as well as a form of active imagination in analysis. In her delightful book Joan Chodorow provides an introduction to the origins, theory and practice of dance/movement as active imagination.
Beginning with her own story the author shows how dance/ movement is of value to psychotherapy. An historical overview of Jung's basic concepts is given as well as the most recent depth psychological synthesis of affect theory based on the work of Sylvan Tomkins, Louis Stewart, and others. Finally in discussing the use of dance/movement as active imagination in practice, the movement themes that emerge and the non-verbal expressive aspects of the therapaeutic relationship are described.

As a psychotherapeutic technique dance/movement as active imagination was originated by Carl Gustav Jung in 1916. It was later developed in the 1960s by dance therapy pioneer Mary Whitehouse. Today it is an approach to dance therapy as well as a form of active imagination in analysis.

Joan Chodorow, a leading dance therapist and Jungian analyst, provides a detailed exploration of the origins, theory and practice of dance/movement as active imagination.

The author begins with her own story, through early dance studies and performing and teaching, to becoming a dance therapist, psychotherapist and Jungian analyst. It is a story that shows, in an immediate way, how dance/movement is of value to psychotherapy--how the expression of the patient's emotions and their role in each individual's psychological development are of crucial importance. An historical overview of Jung's basic concepts is given, as well as the most recent depth psychological synthesis of affect theory, based on the work of Silvan Tomkins and Louis Stewart, among others. Finally, in discussing the use of dance/movement as active imagination in the practice of psychotherapy, the movement themes that emerge and the nonverbal expressive aspects of the therapeutic relationship are described.

This delightful introduction to depth psychology from the perspective of body, psyche and the emotions will be of interest to practitioners, teachers and students of psychotherapy and dance therapy, as well as those concerned with psychology and the arts.

Booknews

Dance/movement as active imagination was originated by Jung in 1916 and developed in the 1960s by dance therapy pioneer Mary Whitehouse. Chodorow provides an introduction to the origins, theory, and practice of dance/movement as active imagination. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Joan Chodorow Ph.D. is an analyst member of the C. G. Jung Institute of San Fransisco, in private practice. Her early background uncludes dance studies and performing and teaching experience. Her dance therapy training was with Trudi Schoop and Mary Whitehouse. She is a registered dance therapist and former President of the American Dance Therapy Association.