Dance Movement Psychotherapy with People with Learning Disabilities

This book provides an overview of dance movement psychotherapy for young people and adults with learning disabilities. Contributors from a variety of backgrounds examine their work with clients from across the disabilities spectrum, ranging from mild to complex needs. The book chapters present theory and practice relating to the client group and subsequent therapy processes. This comprises psychotherapeutic interventions, dance movement interventions, theoretical constructs, case study material, practitioner care, and practitioner learning and development related to individual and group therapy work. The logistics of a Dance Movement Psychotherapy intervention, the intervention itself and the ripples of influence into the clients’ wider socio-cultural context are discussed. This stance speaks to current research and practice discourse in health and social care.

The book champions acceptance of difference and equality in the health and social care needs for people with learning disabilities whilst emphasising the importance of dance movement psychotherapy for people with non-verbal communication.

Dance Movement Psychotherapy with People with Learning Disabilities: Out of the Shadows, into the Light will provide a practical and theoretical resource for practitioners and students of dance movement psychotherapy as well as allied health professionals, service providers and carers.

Geoffery Unkovich has extensive DMP experience through eleven years’ practice with adults with learning disabilities. Geoffery was on ADMP UK council for four years, and is currently on their Professional Development Committee. He is a senior lecturer in DMP at the University of Roehampton, and has taught on DMP training programmes at Goldsmiths, University of London, in Croatia and Romania.

Céline Butté has been practising DMP for fifteen years. She works within Merton Arts Therapies team for People with Learning Disabilities and in private practice. A core member of the teaching team on the Creative Approaches to Supervision training with the London Centre for Psychodrama, she also teaches DMP/T internationally. Céline has provided DMP within NHS adult Mental Health services and for refugees and their children.

Jacqueline Butler has been practicing as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist for eighteen years. Her DMP work is with adults with learning disabilities for a Local Government Direct Service and for private care-providers, in a therapeutic community for those with mental health issues and she also has a private practice for individuals and supervisees. She is a visiting lecturer in Dance Movement Psychotherapy at the University of Roehampton, London.