The Therapeutic Encounter: Joining, Attunement and Kinesthetic Emphathy

I

 

Unit: The Therapeutic Encounter

Theme: Joining, Attunement & Kinesthetic Empathy

Introduction

 

Within the context of Dance/Movement Therapy, joining someone is to become linked or connected to that person in movement. On the other hand, attunement is the reactiveness we have to another person. It is the process by which we form relationships. Dr. Dan Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and executive director of the Mindsight Institute, explains, "When we attune with others we allow our own internal state to shift, to come to resonate with the inner world of another. Finally, kinesthetic empathy, a key interdisciplinary concept in our understanding of social interaction across creative and cultural practices, describes the ability to experience empathy merely by observing the movements of another human being.

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Check In

III

 

Learning Objectives 

 

• Understand the meaning of joining
  
• Explain the importance of attunement
• Gain awareness of the use of kinesthetic empathy
• Experience a movement dialogue
  

IV

Main Lesson

1

Review

• According to Anna Halprin, there are two ways of looking at dance.
• Ana Halprin said that "a dance ritual is a dance with an intention."  
• Creating a dance-ritual requires engaging in a process of exploration, discovery and performance.
• Parts of the Dance/Movement Ritual: Beginning (introduce the theme or metaphor; develop it), Middle (create a climax ; a pulsing) and Closing (consolidate the ritual with the achievement of the group-body).

2

Experiential Concepts

Joining

Attunement

 

3

Video

Pulp Fiction

Question 1

What did you noticed about the interaction of the dancers?

4

LINK:

Attunement By Sandra Kay Lauffenburger

After reading the following article, answer the following questions:

 Question 2

  What are these affects to which it is important that we attune?

Question 3

  Because we work non-verbally, to what in the body-movement spectrum are we attuning, and how do we do it?

 

 V

A Note to Remember

1. Dance Movement Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that relies on the connection between what one is thinking/feeling and one’s body movement.

2. Dance is important for humans because it is a form of communication and expression. 

3. Western dualism and Cartesian separation reflect the common idea that mind and body are separate. 

4. The arts can help people find new ways to express their thoughts and emotions as they view their human experiences as an integrated whole rather than separate parts.

VI

Case Studies

1

 

After watching this video, try this exercise with another person and reflect on the experience by writing a few sentences. (For students who are making up, record it and post it on Discussion Board).

2

Movement Dialogue 

Kinesthetic Empathy

 

 After watching this video, try this exercise with another person and reflect on the experience by writing a few sentences. (For students who are not in class, record it and post it on Discussion Board).

VII

Discussion Questions

 

 

• What are these affects to which it is important that we attune?
•   Because we work non-verbally, to what in the body-movement spectrum are we attuning, and how do we do it?

 VIII

 

Activity

 

• Introduce yourself to another student
• Eye Contact Exercise
• Mirror Exercise (Attunement)
  
• Movement Dialogue (Kinesthetic Empathy)
  

IX

Journaling

Based on the work you have done today, how would you define the terms attunement and kinesthetic empathy? Compare and contrast.

 

 

X

Sources

What is Attunement? Momentous Institute. https://momentousinstitute.org/blog/what-is-attunement

 

XI

 

Students' Work 

 Celeste Pongratz

9/5/2023 Joining, Attunement & Kinesthetic Empathy 

1. What did you notice about the interaction of the dancers?

The pulp fiction actors danced freely and seemed like they did not care about what they looked like while dancing. They picked up on each other's rhythms and movements and somehow looked connected even if they were improvising. 

1.   What are these affects to which it is important that we attune?

The article makes note of the significance of being aware of the affective aspect of communication. Focusing on the emotional states and sentiments of the client is what this means. Being aware of the emotional experiences of a patient, client, or child is essential for fostering empathy and promoting emotional development.

1.   Because we work non-verbally, to what in the body-movement spectrum are we attuning, and how do we do it?

The article advises dance therapists to pay attention to body-movement spectrum components, particularly tension flow rhythms and tension flow characteristics, when interacting nonverbally. These components can be seen in the body's tension flow and change during different activities. Therapists must pay great attention to how a person moves in order to become attuned to these elements, notably how tension patterns alter and body shapes vary in response to certain emotions or needs. This attentiveness allows therapists to better understand and connect with their clients or patients.

Ultimately, Dance Therapists should attune to the emotional aspects of movement (affective component) and focus on tension flow rhythms and attributes in the body-movement spectrum when working non-verbally. This attentiveness helps in building rapport and facilitating emotional expression and growth.