How painting facilitated dance movement psychotherapy interventions for a visual artist suffering from schizophrenia – Taming tigers and butterflies –

Abstract

ABSTRACT Twelve individual dance movement psychotherapy sessions were provided during a 3 month period to a professional visual artist suffering from schizophrenia, and drawing was incorporated. Therapist’s records were kept and paintings of patient and therapist were created after every session. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS), the Strategic Approach to Coping Scale (SACS) and Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) were completed at baseline and at the end of the study. Sessions ‘fed’ one another through the paintings, connecting the body experience to art and, through art, to her reality. This connection enabled her to express feelings and relate them to her needs towards better coping and resilience. At the end of the study, PANSS score remained low, SACS indicated that the patient’s attitude towards external factors became less extreme and LMA revealed reduced maladaptive movement behaviour and improved quality of movement reaching an almost normal level.