Dance Therapy – A Pathfinder

• Introduction
• Subject Headings
• Browsing Areas
• Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
• Abstracts
• Bibliographies
• Biographical Sources
• Handbooks & Manuals
• Monographs/Books
• Serials - Periodicals & Newspapers
• Audio Visual Materials
• Electronic Resources - Websites, Directories & Databases
• Organisations

Introduction

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul”
~ Martha Graham, 1894-1991 ~
American dancer, choreographer and teacher

Dance therapy, as defined by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual.

Dance therapy was pioneered by Marian Chace (1896-1970), whose modern dance studio in Washington D.C. started receiving patients sent by psychiatrists in the 1930’s, as they found her dance classes beneficial to their patients. By the mid 1940’s, Chase was giving lectures and other professional dancers soon followed her lead, using dance to help people with an array of emotional, mental and physical problems. Today, dance therapy is recognized professionally and practised in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, Japan and other countries.

Subject Headings

The principle sources of information are usually from a library catalogue searched using subjects and keywords. Therefore the following Library of Congress Subject Headings may be a good way to begin your search.

Subject Heading : Dance Therapy

• Broader Topic    : Movement therapy
• Narrower Topic : Authentic movement (Dance Therapy)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_therapy.  
A more detailed explanation about dance therapy is given by this free online encyclopedia. 

 Cohen-Stratyner, B. N. (1982). Biographical Dictionary of Dance. New York: Schirmer Books.
LC: GV1785.A1 C58 1982
DC: 793.3/092/2 19

Glance, W.D., Anderson, K. & Anderson, L.E. (1992). The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia. (rev. ed.). New York: Plume.
LC: RC81.A2 M67 1992
DC: 610/.3 20

Abstracts

Abstracts which summarise mostly scholarly works from journals are very useful if you want to get a general idea of the contents of the articles  before deciding on whether to obtain the full-text version.

Two relevant collections are listed below.

Dance/Movement therapy abstracts. Columbia: Marian Chace Foundation of the American Dance Therapy Association, 1992 -       .
This is part of a special project based on doctoral dissertations and masters' theses, which continues the abstracts previously published as Graduate research and studies in dance/movement therapy 1972-1982. Also available in electronic format (CD-ROMs) since 2001.                           ( LCOC)

Compendium of presenters' abstracts (1982). "We're Dancing As Fast As We Can", 17th Annual Conference of the ADTA held in Rye, New York. Columbia: American Dance Therapy Association.

Bibliographies

Bibliographies are very useful tools to locate further information about a particular topic as the lists may cover different sources of information including books, films, recordings etc. 

Three bibliographies published by the American Dance Therapy Association are listed below.

Harris, J.G. & Beer, J. (Eds.). (1974). Bibliography on dance therapy, 1974: books, articles, films. Columbia: American Dance Therapy Association.
LC: Z6664.N5 H29 RC489.D3
DC: 016.6168/916/5
This bibliography is a project of the Education Committee, ADTA, published with the assistance of the Graduate Seminar in Dance Therapy, Spring 1974, Mills College, Oakland, California.   (LCOC)

Heidi, F. & Sewickley, J. (1993). An annotated bibliography of dance/movement therapy, 1940-1990. Columbia: Marian Chace Memorial Fund of the American Dance Therapy Association.
LC: Z6664.N5 F58 1993 RC489.D3
DC: 615.8/5155 20

Silberman, L. (Ed.). (1981). Dance therapy bibliography, 1981. Columbia: American Dance Therapy Association.
LC: Z6664.N5 SS25 RC489.D3
DC: 016.61689/1655 19     

Biographical Sources

Biographical sources are useful research tools when one wants to find out more about a particular person in a certain field.

In dance therapy, two prominent personalities are Marian Chace and Anna Halprin. Information about them can be found in the biographies listed below.     

Sandel, S.L., Chaiklin, S. & Lohn, A. (Eds.). (1993). Foundations of dance/movement therapy: the life and work of Marian Chace. Columbia: Marian Chace Memorial Fund of the American Dance Therapy Association. 
LC: RC489.D3 C485 1993
DC: 615.8/5155/092 20

Worth, L. & Poynor, H. (2004). Anna Halprin. New York: Routledge.
LC: GV1785.H267 W67 2004
DC: 615.8/5155/092 20

Handbooks & Manuals

For specific in-depth knowledge and useful hands-on practical information, handbooks and manuals are invaluable. 

Two are listed below.

Corbin, D.E. & Corbin, J.M. (1997). Reach for it!: a handbook of health, exercise, and dance activities for older adults. (3rd ed.). Dubuque: E. Bowers Pub.
LC: GV447.C66 1997
DC: 613.7/0446 21

Violets-Gibson, M. (2004). Movement and dance therapy. In Evans, S. & Garner, J. Talking over the years: a handbook of dynamic psychotherapy with older adults. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
LC: RC480.54.E95 2004
DC: 618.97/689 22

Monographs/Books

Monographs or books are usually the most abundant and easily accesible part of a library collection. They are also good sources of information as different authors write about the  same topic on different aspects and from different perspectives. They also write in a variety of styles, thus catering to the multiple interests of the readers.      

Many relevant titles on dance therapy are available in the libraries and in the bookshops but only seven are listed below.

Cruz, R.F.  & Berrol, C.F. (2004). Dance/Movement therapists in action: a working guide to research options. Springfield: C.C. Thomas.
LC: RC489.D3 C78 2004
DC: 615.8/5155 22

Goodill, S.W. (2005). An introducion to medical dance, movement therapy: health care in motion. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
LC: RM931.D35 G66 2005
DC: 615.8/5/55 22
This book examines the theoretical foundations of medical Dance Movement Therapy (DMT). It includes case studies of DMT working with different age groups with different medical conditions. Recommendations for professional DMT practice, DMT research and development are also provided.                                                                                                                      (JKP)

Halprin, A. (2003). Returning to health: with dance, movement and imagery. Mendocino: LifeRhythm Books.
LC: RM931.035 H34 2002
DC: 616.8/5155 21
This is a revised edition of the 2002 Dance as a healing art .                                            (LCOC)

Halprin, D. (2002). The expressive body in life, art and therapy - working with movement, metaphor and meaning. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
LC: RC489.A72 H355 2003
DC: 616.89/165 21
This book presents a philosophical and methodical approach to healing through expressive movements. It includes case studies and a selection of exercises the author has evolved over her career and practised at the Tamalpa Institute for over twenty years,                                                           (JKP)

Helene, F. (1974). Dance therapy; narrative case histories of therapy sessions with six patients. Chicago: Nelson-Hall.
LC: RC489.D3 L43
DC: 616.8/916/5

Levy, F.J., Fried, J.P. & Leventhal, F. (Eds.). (1995). Dance and other expressive art therapies: when words are not enough. New York: Routledge.
LC: RC489.D3 D34 1995
DC: 616.89/1655 20

Mason, K.C. (Ed.). (1974). Dance therapy. Washington: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.
LC: GV1580.F58 no.7 RC489.D3
DC: 793.3108 s 616.8/916/5

Serials - Periodicals & Newspapers

Serials, which encompass all works published in successive parts at regular or irregular intervals include newsletters, journals, newspapers and other such publications. Although most journals are highly regarded as first hand information sources due to its prominent authority status and stringent quality control mechanisms, newsletters and newspapers too play their parts in disseminating information to certain sectors of the society as they also have their own individual information needs. 

Below are a selection of relevant periodicals and news articles on dance therapy.

a) Periodicals

American Dance Therapy Association, A.D.T.A. newsletter. Columbia.
This is the official newsletter of the ADTA published bi-monthly.

ICHPER - SD journal: the official magazine of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance. Reston: The Council, 1993-            .
LC: GV201. J66
DC: 796/.07/05 20

Proceedings of the Annual Conference - American Dance Therapy Association. Columbia: American Dance Therapy Assocation, 1967 -         .

Research in dance, problems and possibilities. (1970). Proceedings of the Workshop in DanceTherapy: Its Research Potentials, New York, 1968. New York: Postgraduate Center for Mental Health.
LC: RC489.D3 W67 1968
DC: 616.8/913
This is the proceedings of a joint conference by the Research Department of Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, Committee on Research in Dance, and American Dance Therapy Association, held on November 10, 1968 in New York.                                                                                      (LCOC)

Henry, A. (2003). Chaos to calm: Madison teacher uses dance therapy to show kids how to channel their hyper, chaotic energy. Wisconsin State Journal. April 20, 2003.

Henry, A. (2003). Dance therapy techniques. Wisconsin State Journal. April 20, 2003.

Hoban, S. (2000). Motion and emotion: the dance/movement therapy experience. Nursing Homes. October 1, 2000.

b) News Articles

Hildebrand, J. (2002, March 12). Lier wins Intel prize to tune of $20,000: teen's dance therapy project is 10th in science contest. Newsday.

Iowa State Daily (University Wire). (2000). Dance movement therapy may transform stress relief for Iowa State University students, October 2.

Massey, P.B. (2004, October 25). Dance therapy beneficial for children with Down Syndrome. (Health & Fitness) (Alternative Approach). Arlington Heights: Daily Herald.

Audio Visual Materials

Audio visual materials, categorised under non-book reference sources, are increasingly popular nowadays. They are especially useful for a subject like dance therapy, where documentaries, as well as sound and video recordings can be made used of to understand the subject better.

Below are a selection of videos and sound recordings.

Harris, J. (n.d.). [videorecording]. Metamorphosis in movement:Mary Stark Whitehouse - a video retrospective. Columbia: American Dance Therapy Association .
This 45 minute video provides archival insights into Whitehouse's contribution to dance/movement therapy. It includes Whitehouse teaching a class and interviews with Jane Manning, Cathy McFane and Neale Haze.                                                                                                           (ADTA)

Klein, P. (1996). Dance of life . Tanz de lebens danza de la vida. [sound recording]. Tenerife: International Institute for Dance Therapy. 
The music in this compact disc which comprises 10 titles, from peaceful meditative passages to forceful rhythms, is meant to charge our positive energies, liberate and awaken our strength, and lead us on the path to inner peace.                                                                                          (IIDT)

Klein, P. (1995). Dance therapy, the path to holistic being. [videorecording],Tenerife: International Institute for Dance Therapy. 
This 60-minute video illustrates Petra's book "Dance therapy - the path to holistic being" published in 1993 in Germany. It covers a wide range of dance therapy applications -from preventive health care, to educational training and clinical applcations.                                                                    (IIDT)

Stewart, G.L. (!977). Dance therapy techniques for early childhood and special education. [sound recording]. Long Branch: Kimbo Educational.
LC: Kimbo Educational
These sound discs come with a 38-page teacher's guide and are ideal for teaching pre-school dance or movement education and for the specialist who wants to adapt standard dance techniques for those with special needs.                                                                                                          (LCOC)

The ABC's of eating disorders [videorecording].
http://www.zakto.com/abc/trailer.html
This documentary covers eating disorders like anorexia, bullimia and compulsive overeating. It includes a section on the use of dance therapy as part of the treatment process for the above illnesses.

Electronic Sources - Websites, Directories & Databases

Electronic sources, particularly those accessed through the Internet, offer a wealth of information at the finger tips of the information seeker. However, to locate, retrieve, evaluate and select the most appropriate resources from among the millions available remain a major challenge for most of us. 

Below are listed four websites and databases relevant to the subject of dance therapy.

Artslynx International Dance Resources
http://www.artslynx.org/heal/dance.htm
This site provides a useful introduction to dance therapy and includes many relevant resources on the healing powers of dance for people with diferent disabilities.

Dance Therapy, an overview.
http://www.medicomm.net/Consumer%20Site/am/dance.htm
This site gives a short history of the discipline of dance therapy as well as an overview of its basic techniques and facets.                                                                                                (Artslynx)

Expressive Therapies - Dance and Movement.
http://www.healthcyclopedia.com/scripts/health-search.pl?Match=1&Terms=dance+therapy
This is part of the Healthcyclopedia guide to health care resources on the Internet. It includes links to health news from the Highbeam Research newspaper and magazine archive, Medline/PubMed Database of research articles as well as various web directories on dance and movement therapy.

Dance and Movement Web Health Links
http://www.internet-health-directory.com/Mental_Health_Counseling_Services_Expressive_Therapies_Dance_and_Movement.html
This is part of the Health and Medicine Web Site Directory and includes links to organisations, individuals, as well as articles related to dance and movement therapy.

Organisations

Organisations are useful information sources as they usually collect and compile many different types of information about their own specialised fields and are good avenues for networking and knowledge sharing.

In the field of dance therapy, the American Dance Therapy Association is the most established and well-known organization but there are others which cater to dance therapy practitioners and students in their own regional settings.

Below are listed four organisations from four countries.

American Dance Therapy Association
http://www.adta.org/
Founded in 1966, the American Dance Therapy Association is based in Columbia, Maryland. It publishes the ADTA newsletter, the American Journal of Dance Therapy, monographs, bibliographies, and conference proceedings. Its website offers a large bibliography of printed publications related to the field. 

International Dance Therapy Institute of Australia
http://www.idtia.org.au
This institute was established in Melbourne, Australia in 1989 ad provides training and networking opportunities for its members throughout Australia. It offers short courses, introductory workshops as well as certificate and diploma programs in dance therapy.

International Institute of Dance Therapy
http://www.dancetherapy.com/index_us.htm
Founded by psychologist and dance therapist Petra Klein in 1983, the institute's headquarters is now in Tenerife, Canary Isands. Besides originating the Dance of Life program. Klein offers workshops and seminars, presentations and dance events at the institute and throughout the world.   

This pathfinder is prepared by Ooi Guat Leng.
Email : guatleng@lycos.com