Non-verbal communication holds incredible power in therapy. In today’s episode Brenda highlights the intersection of Dance Movement Therapy and Video microanalysis, inspired by research from Rebecca Houghton and Dr. Beatrice Beebe. Together, these approaches offer new insights into movement and communication in therapeutic settings.

Brenda reflects on how actions and movements often reveal more about interactions than words. Drawing from her favorite research articles, she explains how Dance Movement Therapy and video microanalysis influence her own practices, including work with young children and animals. Brenda emphasizes that movement is a significant part of how we communicate and connect, often conveying emotions and intentions more clearly than words can.

One example she shares is an 80-second interaction analyzed by Rebecca Houghton, which highlights how subtle body language can send messages that don’t align with our intentions. Brenda uses this insight to reflect on in her own research, noting how watching herself back has revealed mismatches between her body language and the messages she intended to convey. These moments can be humbling, but they open the door to growth. By aligning her intentions with her physical presence, Brenda has learned to create deeper connections with her clients.

This work also extends to broader therapeutic practices, including animal-assisted therapy, where understanding non-verbal cues is equally critical. Movement and awareness, Brenda explains, have the potential to transform interactions and deepen relationships across all forms of therapy.

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References:

Houghton, R. & Beebe, B., (2016).Dance/Movement Therapy: Learning to Look Through Video Microanalysis. American Journal of Dance Therapy. DOI 10.1007/s10465-016-9226-0

Dr. Beatrice Beebe, https://www.beatricebeebe.com/

Kestenberg Movement Profile: https://kestenbergmovementprofile.org/

Laban Movement Analysis: https://labaninternational.org/scope-of-practice/movement-analysis/