The Dance/Movement Therapy of Blanche Evan: Life Is Movement

Blanche Evan’s holistic philosophy places dance and movement at the core of the therapy process. Delving into the history and development of Evan’s comprehensive therapy model, the authors detail the novel contributions of her theories and methods to mind/body integration and expressive arts therapies.

Evan’s professional history and innovations are explored, from dancer, choreographer, and creative dance educator for children, to the emergence of her depth-oriented dance/movement therapy. Case vignettes, illustrations, and photos illuminate how integrating expressive dance and movement with verbal communication in therapy opens new resources for psychophysical transformation, trauma resolution, and meaningful life change. The authors’ contemporary applications of Evan’s psychophysical therapy methods highlight their effectiveness in addressing clients’ emotional, social, and physical struggles. Evan’s humanitarian vision is discussed in relation to current sociocultural challenges, psychotherapy theories, and research supporting integrative models of health.

Essential for dance/movement therapists, psychotherapists, creative arts therapists, somatic practitioners, dance educators, and those seeking greater body/mind integration for personal growth, this accessible book offers inspiration and insight into the transformative power of Blanche Evan’s dance/movement therapy.

Bonnie Bernstein, MEd, LMFT, BC-DMT, REAT, is a dance/movement therapist, and educator since 1979. Her “Life Is Movement” Institute in Palo Alto, CA, has sustained Blanche Evan’s legacy through clinical practice and therapist training, including internationally in Korea and India.

Anne M. Krantz, PhD, BC-DMT, is a dance/movement therapist and clinical psychologist, previously an assistant professor of somatic psychotherapy, California Institute of Integral Studies. Her dance/movement therapy program in Evan’s methods at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center continued for 24 years.