Student experiences in a personal development group: the question of safety

Abstract

This paper documents one theme arising from a larger research study (Payne 1996a) which invited trainees' views on their experience in a weekly, two-year dance movement therapy (DMT) experiential group which formed part of the personal development component in their postgraduate training. The study used a phenomenological, descriptive/narrative and collaborative methodology followed by an interpretative framework. An independent facilitator was employed to lead the DMT group. In the third year the study particularly sought to discover group members' views on the experience of this ‘as if therapy’ group in relation to their clinical practice with DMT groups following their training. Following a brief introduction and overview of methodology employed, the theme of ‘safety’ is presented, as it manifested for the students in the DMT group over time.

Keywords:

• Personal Development Groups Training Counsellors Therapists Dance Movement Therapy Safety In Groups Higher Education