With compass and plumb-line: A dance movement therapy systemic approach in the field of refugee crisis

ABSTRACT

DMT practices aiming working organisations need to address organisational culture and structure, goal setting, management and relevant issues, specific to the working environment. We propose a creative approach informed by DMT and systems theory, based on our experience of the conjunctive use of Relational Creative Processes Model and Self-Referential Conceptual System model. The article includes basic notions from the two models and a step-by-step description of a ‘programme for group empowerment, training and supervision’, implemented on behalf of a refugees-supporting NGO, as an example of how this synthesis can support DMT interventions in work-environments. We also comment on DMT’s potential, relative to the particular challenges faced by NGO teams on the field of the refugee crisis.

KEYWORDS:

• Dance therapy
• work-setting
• supervision
• self-reference
• refugees
• reframing

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Aggeliki Bitzaraki and Panagiotis Andrianos.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elli Kita

Elli Kita is a Psychologist / Dance Therapist, based in Greece. She works as therapist in private practice and as trainer - supervisor in affiliation with Mental Health and Educational Institutions. Her research work focuses on body-image, creativity and systemic-constructionist approaches to DMT. Interested in interfaces between science and art, art and therapy, therapy and community, she co-acts with artists in performance, installation and theater projects. She is currently a member of the EADMT board.