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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 Unpublished independent study.

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.

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

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.

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

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	Name of principle researcher	Marina Chrysou
	Professional title	M.A. DMT
	Principle present employment	NHS EPP Trainer
	Contact address	Spitafields Health Centre, 9-11 Brick Lane, London E1 6PU
	Telephone	020 73775941
	Fax
	e-mail	marina.chrysou@nhsepp.org
	Research collaborators	Tony Burch, MRCGP Ute Kowarzik, PG Dip. DMT
	Research supervisors	Laurence Higgens, Laban Centre London Gregory Sporton PhD, Laban Centre London
Title of research	Title of research	Dance Movement Therapy in Primary Health Care
	Subtitle of research	N/A
Research details	Aims of research	To evaluate if a collaboration between a dance movement therapist and a local primary health care team can effectively meet the needs for treatment of patients experiencing chronic pain.
	Principal research question(s) or research hypothesis/es or research objectives	To offer the opportunity for a NHS primary health care team to collaborate with a dance movement therapist. To set up and implement a programme of weekly group DMT. To evaluate the perceived benefits of DMT for this population.
	Client group (if applicable)	Clients experiencing chronic pain
	Research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, anthropological, case study etc.)	Treatment and Evaluation pilot project – qualitative analysis
	Nature of data collection (e.g., video time-sampling, client questionnaires etc.)	Clinical notes (including referrer’s) Client questionnaire (pre- and post-treatment: Brief Pain Inventory Post-treatment semi-structured interviews with clients Theme analysis of interview transcripts
	Principal findings (if research completed)	A Movement Support Group for clients with chronic pain contributes to their ability to cope with their pain, by providing a therapeutic environment where clients: Feel able to express themselves freely in movement and words Can rediscover the joy of moving and regain a sense of mobility Feel safe to express the full extent of their suffering without needing to pretend to be well Feel supported in sharing their feelings about their condition Can regain a sense of being in control.
	Ethical board approving research	Brent Medical Ethics Committee
Details of institutional affiliation, funding body and grade	Academic institution where registered (if applicable)
	Funding body (if applicable)	Laban Centre for Movement and Dance
	Academic level of research (DgDip, MA, M.Phil, PhD, postdoctoral) (if applicable)
	Clinical institute affiliation (if applicable)
Dates	Starting date	2001
	Completion date (expected date if not yet complete)	2002
Keywords	Keywords	Chronic pain, primary health care
Related publications including unpublished material for internal use	Related publications by members of research team	Chrysou, M. (1999) Psychosomatic Aspects of Pain: An Exploration of Physical and Psychic Pain in Dance Movement Therapy. Unpublished MA thesis, Laban Centre London.

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

Research details	Name of principle researcher	Dokter, D. and Dr. Karkou, V.
	Professional title	1.DMT, DT and UKCP 2. PGCE
	Principle present employment	1. Course Leader of DMT course 2. Postdoctoral research fellow
	Contact address	Department of Art and Arts Therapies, Hatfield Campus, University of Hertfordshire AL10 9AB
	Telephone	01707 285662
	Fax
	e-mail	V.Karkou@herts.ac.uk
	Research collaborators	Burchell, H. and Warren V. (Department of Education)
	Research supervisors	n.a.
Title of research	Title of research	Good practice in supporting placement learning
	Subtitle of research	n.a.
Research details	Aims of research	To compare aspects of placement learning for arts therapists, artists and teacher and examine tutoring strategies that facilitate student learning in placement settings (health and education services and the commercial sector) in the context of structuring work experience and stages in placement learning
	Principal research question(s) or research hypothesis/es or research objectives	A. To identify good practice in placement supervision B. To develop guidelines for tutors for placement learning, based on this good practice C. To disseminate the guidelines across the University in appropriate forums
	Client group (if applicable)	Trainee dance movement therapists (as well as dramatherapists, art therapists, visual artists and teachers)
	Research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, anthropological, case study etc.)	There was a three stage research design: 1. An initial exploratory stage identifying current practices 2. A survey of placement providers, students and University tutors 3. Compilation of guidelines of good practice in the supervision of placement learning
	Nature of data collection (e.g., video time-sampling, client questionnaires etc.)	1. Studying handbooks and collecting staff descriptions 2. Use of questionnaires 3. Consultation with programme tutors in departments concerned
	Principal findings (if research completed)	Results relating to DMT: A. Guidelines provided by national professional standards were applied within DMT training. Data collected from students in particular showed high levels of satisfaction with placement supervision B. and C. Guidelines were developed that referred to the three phases of supervision: preparatory, ongoing and debriefing
	Ethical board approving research	University of Hertfordshire
Details of institutional affiliation, funding body and grade	Academic institution where registered (if applicable)	University of Hertfordshire
	Funding body (if applicable)	Learning and Teaching Development Fund 2002, UH
	Academic level of research (DgDip, MA, M.Phil, PhD, postdoctoral) (if applicable)	Postdoctoral
	Clinical institute affiliation (if applicable)	n.a.
Dates	Starting date	2002
	Completion date (expected date if not yet complete)	2002
Keywords	Keywords	Supervision, placement learning, DMT training
Related publications including unpublished material for internal use	Related publications by members of research team	Dokter, D, Karkou, V., Burchell, H. and Warren, V. (2002) Final Report: Good Practice in Supporting Placement Learning. University of Hertfordshire. Burchell, H. Warren, V. Dokter, D. and Karkou, V. (2002) Supporting Student Placement Learning: The Tutor’s Role. Paper presented at the Hertfordshire Integrated Learning Project Annual Conference, University of Hertfordshire.

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

Research details	Name of principle researcher	Bonnie Meekums, Dr
	Professional title	Ph.D., M.Phil., B.Sc. (hons), SRDMT, MAHPP
	Principle present employment	Lecturer
	Contact address	University of Leeds, Wakefield Campus Barnsley Road, Wakefield WF1 5NS
	Telephone	0113 343 9414
	Fax	0113 343 9432
	e-mail	b.meekums@leeds.ac.uk
	Research collaborators	n.a.
	Research supervisors	N/a
Title of research	Title of research	Pioneering Dance Movement Therapy in Britain
	Subtitle of research	N/a
Research details	Aims of research	To identify and map the narratives of major British pioneers in DMT up to the influx of American influences
	Principal research question(s) or research hypothesis/es or research objectives	Who pioneered British DMT? What were their artistic and theoretical influences? What were their life experiences? What social movements influenced the development of the profession at that time?
	Client group (if applicable)	Not clients but colleagues
	Research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, anthropological, case study etc.)	Participatory, narrative research design
	Nature of data collection (e.g., video time-sampling, client questionnaires etc.)	Multiple methods. Participants contributed in the form that was best for them – either in writing or via telephone interview, and in some cases both. Drafts were circulated to all parties for comment.
	Principal findings (if research completed)	Nine pioneers have been identified, and their stories mapped. Further analysis occurs in the form of a table, showing similarities and differences in influences. The development is sited historically within the development of participatory dance forms and widening access to dance, alongside the development of the humanistic psychology movement in Britain.
	Ethical board approving research	None
Details of institutional affiliation, funding body and grade	Academic institution where registered (if applicable)	None
	Funding body (if applicable)	£20 from ADMT for postage
	Academic level of research (DgDip, MA, M.Phil, PhD, postdoctoral) (if applicable)	None (post-doctoral)
	Clinical institute affiliation (if applicable)	none
Dates	Starting date	1993?
	Completion date (expected date if not yet complete)	2002?
Keywords	Keywords	British DMT, pioneers
Related publications including unpublished material for internal use	Related publications by members of research team	Meekums, B. (2002) Dance Movement Therapy London: Sage. Yet to be published in full.

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