Somatic Transference and Countertransference in Psychoanalytic Intersubjective Dance/Movement Therapy

Abstract

Since the 1950's psychoanalytic theory has undergone a significant paradigm shift; moving from single mind, drive theories to intersubjective, relational theories that stress the co-constructed nature of mental life and relationships. The therapeutic relationship is now focused on the intersubjective relationships being constellated by the patient and the therapist throughout the treatment process. This paper presents several theoretical and clinical assumptions made by the psychoanalytic intersubjective approach to dance/movement therapy followed by the author. In this approach somatic and enacted aspects of the therapeutic relationship are systematically tracked by the therapist in order to make sense of the patient's shifting self states and relationships being enacted by the therapeutic dyad. The treatment process of a patient who regressed to preverbal states is presented to underscore the somatic, experiential and co-constructed nature of the unfolding therapeutic relationship.

The Dance of Becoming: Pedagogy in Dance/Movement Therapy in the United States

“…Another core principle that was reflected was kinesthetic empathy, addressing the intersubjective nature of DMT, where the therapist reflects on their own body reaction, using kinesthetic awareness in an embodied relationship (Dosamantes-Beaudry, 2007 ; Dosamentes-Alperson, 1984 ; Tortora, 2005 ). This is a constant and mindful tracking of sensory and kinesthetic responses that inform the therapeutic process in DMT.…”

Significant Moments in Improvisational Music Therapy

“…People also experience shared moments of connection and understanding through movement and body communication (Dosamantes-Beaudry, 2007;Stern, 2010). Musically, various body movements and approaches shape the sounds created and provide insight regarding what experience or meaning is underneath the music.…”

Terapia a través de la danza y el movimiento en mujeres con cáncer de mama: el impacto psicofísico del proceso empático

“…Varios teóricos sobre las implicaciones corporales en la terapia insisten en que la contratransferencia somática (CTS) (todos aquellos sentimientos que el analista experimenta en su cuerpo a través de la relación terapéutica con el paciente) es significativa en la relación psicoterapéuti-ca. No sólo es una herramienta para entender y manejar las dinámicas durante la sesión sino que además permite enfatizar el proceso terapéutico (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) . El cuerpo del terapeuta sintoniza con el cuerpo de la paciente permitiendo al inconsciente manifestarse a través de la comunicación verbal y no verbal (26) .…”

“…Dosamantes-Alperson en 1984 la describía como la reproducción de los movimientos corporales del paciente en el cuerpo del terapeuta, lo que le permitiría a este último sentir y responder a los estados emocionales del paciente (28) . Eso daría lugar a un proceso de descubrimiento y co-construcción centrado en el desarrollo del sentido del self del paciente (18,19) . En relación con la empatía, �ean De�ean Decety propuso una anatomía basada en ella.…”