Abstract
This qualitative study investigated how a small sample (n = 3) of dance/movement therapists consciously attended to and employed interventions to address positive affect within adult dance/movement therapy (DMT) groups. While there is anecdotal evidence of such a focus in the field, limited data regarding positive affect has emerged in the literature. A semi-structured interview methodology was used to collect data that was coded and analyzed, resulting in 13 themes across the four categories of therapeutic interventions, therapeutic intentions and goals, client attributes, and therapist attributes. Findings included interventions used and their apparent effects, as well as identifying therapeutic intentions and goals that seemed to lay the groundwork for positive affect. Data pointed to a need for development of positive affect in clients, including tolerance of it. Participants’ rationales for focusing on positive affect, participants’ relationship to positive affect, and the importance they placed on guarding against their bias toward positive affect were other themes. Lastly, the results lend support to a focus on positive affect in DMT and to the utility of a qualitative methodology for building an understanding of this topic.
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The author would like to thank Christine Caldwell for her guidance and mentorship.
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Gordon, A.J. Focusing on Positive Affect in Dance/Movement Therapy: A Qualitative Study. Am J Dance Ther 36, 60–76 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-014-9165-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-014-9165-6