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research: independent studies

         

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research: Ph.D & M. Phil

research: master dissertations

 

Examples of Independent studies:

 

Payne, H. (1994) A pilot study into DMT with women with eating disorders.  University of Hertfordshire: study funded by the Eating Disorders Association. More

 

Best, P. (1999) Narratives between therapist and client: mutual influences and interactional shaping.  University of Surrey-Roehampton. More

 

Karkou, V. (2001) Process-oriented clinical study: an events approach to the process of a DMT group with clients with continuing mental health problems.  University of Surrey-Roehampton. More

 

Kowarzik, U. Moore L. C. and Violet, M. (2001) Effectiveness of LINKS movement and communication training for clients with dementia and care staff trained in MC activities.  Independent study funded by Camden and Islington HAZ. More

 

Chrysou, M. Burch, T. and Kowarzik U. (2002) Dance Movement Therapy in Primary Health Care.  Independent study funded by the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance. More

 

Dokter, D. and Karkou, V. (2002) Good practice in supporting placement learning.  University of Hertfordshire, Faculty of Art and Arts Therapies (joint study with the Department of Education): funded by the Learning and Teaching Development Fund 2002, UH. More

 

Meekums, B. (2002) Pioneering Dance Movement Therapy in Britain. Unpublished independent study.

More

 


Payne, H. (1994) A pilot study into DMT with women with eating disorders.  University of Hertfordshire: study funded by the Eating Disorders Association.

 

Research details

Name of principle researcher

Helen Payne,  Dr

 

Professional title

Ph.D., M.Phil., PgDip.(spec. ed), Laban Cert.(Dance Therapy); Cert Ed (PE –Secondary); UKCP Reg. Psychotherapist; Member-Group Analytic Society.

 

Principle present employment

Reader and Head of Counselling/Psychotherapy

 

Contact address

University of Hertfordshire

Department of  Social, Community and Health Studies, Meridian Hse, 32 The Common, Hatfield, Herts

 

Telephone

01707 285861

 

Fax

 

 

e-mail

h.l.payne@herts.ac.uk

 

Research collaborators

 

 

Research supervisors

 

Title of research

Title of research

A pilot study into DMT with women with eating distress.

 

Subtitle of research

The perceptions of women identifying  themselves with eating distress towards programme of Dance Movement Therapy

Research details

Aims of research

To explore the perceptions from the client’s viewpoint in terms of therapeutic outcome..

 

Principal research question(s) or research hypothesis/es or research objectives

To document users’ views of a programme of DMT within the community. To analyse others views including GPs.

 

Client group (if applicable)

women with eating problems

 

Research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, anthropological, case study etc.)

Qualitative methodology. Included participatory action research. Pilot study to test research tools and the approach to DMT.

 

 

Nature of data collection (e.g., video time-sampling, client questionnaires etc.)

Journals were kept by the clients and then analysed for therapeutic outcome. 

Construction of questionnaire (open and closed questions) for GPs.

 

Principal findings (if research completed)

Results relating to dance movement therapy:

Clients perceived DMT to be helpful in raising awareness of the links between body and emotional states such as binge eating in overeaters.

 

 

Ethical board approving research

 

Details of institutional affiliation, funding body and grade

Academic institution where registered (if applicable)

n/a

 

Funding body (if applicable)

Eating Disorders Association

 

Academic level of research (DgDip, MA, M.Phil, PhD, postdoctoral) (if applicable)

 

 

Clinical institute affiliation (if applicable)

EDA

Dates

Starting date

1992

 

Completion date (expected date if not yet complete)

1994

Keywords

Keywords

DMT; Client perceptions

Related publications including unpublished material for internal use

Related publications by members of research team

Payne, HL (1994) Integrative Movement Psychotherapy with women with eating distress. In: D Docktor (ed) Arts Therapies and eating disorders. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Marchant, L and Payne, HL (2002) The experience of counselling for female clients with anorexia nervosa: a person centred perspective, Counselling and Psychotherapy research, 2, 2, 127-132.

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 Best, P. (1999) Narratives between therapist and client: mutual influences and interactional shaping.  University of Roehampton.

 

Research details

Name of principle researcher

Penelope Ann Best

 

Professional title

PGCE,MCAT, ILTM ,SRDMT

 

Principle present employment

Facilitator ; Senior lecturer

 

Contact address

School of Psychology & Therapeutic Studies, Southlands College, University of Surrey Roehampton, Roehampton Lane, London SW15

 

Telephone

020 8392 3377

 

Fax

N/a

 

e-mail

Pbestworks@aol.com

 

Research collaborators

N/a

 

Research supervisors

N/a

Title of research

Title of research

Narratives between therapist and client

 

Subtitle of research

Mutual influences and interactional shaping

Research details

Aims of research

To explore the relationship between the personal and professional domains of experience of dance therapists

 

Principal research question(s) or research hypothesis/es or research objectives

In what ways does the therapist’s personal life experience interact with his/her professional clinical work? What alternative ways are there for explaining what happens in the creative space between client and therapist? Is one model more helpful than another for processing personal/professional material for dance therapists? Are there differences between the group, individual and supervisor evaluations? In what ways does the supervisor influence the system, outcome? How does shifting between movement, drawing, talking and reflecting within supervision (or therapy) influence understanding of therapeutic material? 

 

Client group (if applicable)

Qualified Dance Movement Therapists

 

Research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, anthropological, case study etc.)

Pilot study following qualitative design, incorporating ethnographic methodology and support of qualitative data from questionaire

 

Nature of data collection (e.g., video time-sampling, client questionnaires etc.)

Contemporaneous field study notes, post session questionnaires for participants and facilitator/researcher; semi-structured group interview

 

Principal findings (if research completed)

Movement is the strongest mode for dance therapists to connect with personal material, followed by drawing. Talking with other dance therapists is as important to learning as listening to the supervisor;

 

Ethical board approving research

n.a.

Details of institutional affiliation, funding body and grade

Academic institution where registered (if applicable)

n.a.

 

Funding body (if applicable)

n.a.

 

Academic level of research (DgDip, MA, M.Phil, PhD, postdoctoral) (if applicable)

n.a.

 

Clinical institute affiliation (if applicable)

n.a.

Dates

Starting date

Stage 1 September 1998

Stage 2 Ongoing

 

Completion date (expected date if not yet complete)

July 1999

Keywords

Keywords

Clinical supervision; somatic transference; mutuality

Related publications published/unpublished

Related publications by members of research team

 

Best, P (2003) Interactional shaping; three dimensional sculpting. USA Body Psychotherapy Journal in print

 

Best, P. ( 2001) Therapists’ stories in motion:mutual influences between client and therapist. In Kossolapow,L Scoble, S. Waller, D. ( eds) Arts- Therapies- Communication: on the way to a communicative European arts therapy vol. 1. Lit Verlag: Munster

 

Best, P. ( 1999) Narratives. E-motion ADMT Quarterly Vol XI..4. 17-26

 

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Karkou, V. (2001) Process-oriented clinical study: an events approach to the process of a DMT group with clients with continuing mental health problems.  University of Surrey-Roehampton.

 

Research details

Name of principle researcher

Vassiliki (Vicky) Karkou, Dr

 

Professional title

Ph.D., M.Ed. PgDip (DMT), B.Ed.Sc.

 

Principle present employment

DMT and researcher

 

Contact address

18 Alexandra Rd, St Albans, AL1 3AZ

 

Telephone

01727 833025

 

Fax

01727 833025

 

e-mail

V_Karkou@hotmail.com

 

Research collaborators

n.a.

 

Research supervisors

P. Best and G. Parker

Title of research

Title of research

Process-oriented clinical study

 

Subtitle of research

An Events-Approach to the Process of a DMT Group with Clients with Continuing Mental Health Problems

Research details

Aims of research

To identify significant events and their meaning within a DMT group with clients with continuing Mental Health Problems

 

Principal research question(s) or research hypothesis/es or research objectives

1.Were there any significant events during the course of a DMT group with clients with continuing MH problems?

2. If yes, what was the context of these events regarding the group processes and the client-therapist relationship?

3. How were these events manifested in movement and/or verbal interactions between the members of the group and the therapists?

 

Client group (if applicable)

Outpatient clients with continuing mental health problems

 

Research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, anthropological, case study etc.)

Retrospective case study; The ‘case’ was a 12-session DMT group in mental health day-centre.  The researcher was also one of the therapists of the group

 

Nature of data collection (e.g., video time-sampling, client questionnaires etc.)

Clinical notes of all sessions

Video recordings of three sessions

 

Principal findings (if research completed)

1. Three events were identified as significant because they met the criteria posed in the beginning of the study: during these events the majority of the clients seemed engaged, there was evidence of interplay between conscious and unconscious material, involving both verbal and movement interaction.  Following these events there were changes in individuals in the groups and/or group dynamics.

2. The first event took place after the arrival of two new members in the group that raised issues of confrontation and withdrawal.  The event following was named the ‘fighting’.  The second event followed lengthy discussions around medication, difficulties associated with the use of the body and minimal movement engagement.  This event was called the ‘picnic’.  The third event took place in the session following the ‘picnic’; a couple of members were absent.  This event was called the ‘ring’.

3. During the first significant event (‘the fighting’) negative feelings were expressed in a manageable way while the seeds for therapeutic relationships with the therapists and the other members of the group were established.  During the second significant event (the picnic’), the members of the group found a way to take care of themselves (through imaginary food), and to take care of others (brought imaginary food to the ‘picnic’ served each other and tidied up afterwards) contributing to strong group cohesiveness.  The third event (‘the ring’) enabled people to say goodbye to each other and share feelings about loss and separation contributing to a group closure.

 

Ethical board approving research

University of Surrey-Roehampton

Permission from the day-centre and the members of the group for video recording and use of material (video and written) for the study

Details of institutional affiliation, funding body and grade

Academic institution where registered (if applicable)

University of Surrey-Roehampton

 

Funding body (if applicable)

n.a.

 

Academic level of research (DgDip, MA, M.Phil, PhD, postdoctoral) (if applicable)

DgDip (DMT), postdoctoral

 

Clinical institute affiliation (if applicable)

Mind in Barnet

Dates

Starting date

2000

 

Completion date (expected date if not yet complete)

2001

Keywords

Keywords

Significant events, case study, continuing mental health problems, outpatients, community

Related publications including unpublished material for internal use

Related publications by members of research team

Karkou, V. (expected publication 2006) DMT in the community: group work for those with continuing mental health difficulties, in H. Payne (ed) Dance Movement Therapy: Theory, Practice and Research. London: Routledge.

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Kowarzik, U. Moore L. C. and Violet, M. (2001) Effectiveness of LINKS movement and communication training for clients with dementia and care staff trained in MC activities.  Independent study funded by Camden and Islington HAZ

 

Research details

Name of principle researcher

Ute Kowarzik, Carol Lynn Moore

 

Professional title

1.dance movement therapist,

2.movement analyst

 

Principle present employment

1.free lance researcher and dmt

2. movement analyst and lecturer

 

Contact address

45 Anson Rd, London N7 0AR

 

Telephone

020 7609 2949

 

Fax

 

 

e-mail

ukowa@csi.com

 

Research collaborators

Marion Violet, clients and trainees

 

Research supervisors

n/a

Title of research

Title of research

Effectiveness of LINKS movement and communication training for clients with dementia and care staff trained in MC activities

 

Subtitle of research

 

Research details

Aims of research

Assess the effectiveness of movement and communication activities for clients with dementia in a residential care setting and evaluate the benefits trainees/care workers derived from the MC training programme

 

Principal research question(s) or research hypothesis/es or research objectives

1. Can movement and communication activity based on dance movement therapy principle have positive effects on the well being of clients with dementia in a period of 12 weeks 

2. In what way do care staff trained in MC activities for clients with dementia benefit from the training

 

Client group (if applicable)

people with dementia living in a residential home

 

Research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, anthropological, case study etc.)

The study uses mainly qualitative approaches, and includes observation/videoing of movement , in-depth interviews, etc. other relevant notes from trainees and therapist

 

Nature of data collection (e.g., video time-sampling, client questionnaires etc.)

The approaches we have used in evaluating the effects of the MC sessions on clients include:

1.clients observations at the beginning, the mid point and the end of programme using an observational  framework developed by the researchers which assesses the engagement in activities, level of mobility, participation in songs, non-verbal and verbal communication, body posture and expression of moods. We also recorded significant interactions of the group as a whole, the group dynamics and expressions of individual clients such as clients getting up for a dance.

2. recording of the 3 observed sessions on video to be able to analyse in detail the group process and movement patterns and have a period sampling of the whole process.

3. face to face interviews with the trainees after completing the training programme about their experience of the training and their observation on the clients

4. written notes from trainees and the therapist on their client observations as well as medical information (including diagnosis of dementia/Alzheimer) they had collated on each client.

 

Principal findings (if research completed)

Effects on clients:

1. the therapeutic environment creates a space where clients are encouraged and supported in self expression.

2. the MC group provides clients with an environment where clients can rediscover their skills – skills of moving, singing, communicating with others.

3. the format of the group session in itself offers a coherent structure repeated week by week; it is through repetition that clients experience their abilities and regain confidence in their mobility and improve on lost ones.

4. the ‘fun’ generated through playful activities promotes and facilitates interaction between participants of the group

5. sustained activities over longer time spans offers experience of raised energy levels (possibly with positive chemical/hormonal stimulation) which apart from the physical benefits may provide a sense of achievement

6. a client deciding on withdrawing from a group activity is about self regulation, making independent decisions and reflects a degree of self-care.

7. possibility of expressing qualities such as caring for others and helping them in a task such as one client helping another fold up a scarf.

8 .co-ordinating efforts such as two clients singing a duet, each taking a turn then joining together in song.

9.and last not least experiencing themselves as people who have affections and also sexual feelings which may be expressed through song, an affectionate kiss on the forehead of another or intimate holding of hands (trainee observation outside the session).

Benefits trainees derived from the programme:

? greater understanding and knowledge of various aspects of dementia

? discovering clients’ physical possibilities in particular their strength revealed in the various movement activities

? increased communication skills of clients, but also their own skills in relation to clients

? experience of friendship between clients themselves, clients and staff and staff themselves

? observational skills enabling them recognising clients’ changed behaviour and improved physical conditions

? ability to apply the learnt skills outside the movement session

? seeing clients as a ‘whole person’

 

Ethical board approving research

n/a

Details of institutional affiliation, funding body and grade

Academic institution where registered (if applicable)

n/a

 

Funding body (if applicable)

Camden and Islington HAZ

 

Academic level of research (DgDip, MA, M.Phil, PhD, postdoctoral) (if applicable)

n/a

 

Clinical institute affiliation (if applicable)

n/a

Dates

Starting date

May 2001

 

Completion date (expected date if not yet complete)

September 2001

Keywords

Keywords

movement and communication, dementia, dmt, residential home

Related publications published/unpublished

Related publications by members of research team

1. unpublished report  to funders ‘Opening Doors’ - Interim Research Findings on the Training Programme ‘Movement and Communication’ U .Kowarzik,

October 2001

2. article submitted to journal ‘Movement and Communication Groups: A New Approach to Dementia Care, by Carol-Lynne Moore, Marion Violets, and Ute Kowarzik, 2003

 

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Chrysou, M. Burch, T. and Kowarzik U. (2002) Dance Movement Therapy in Primary Health Care.  Independent study funded by the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance.

 

Research details