Metaphoric synchrony in the development of an outdoor dance movement psychotherapy practice

Abstract

This paper discusses the development, and frame of reference, for an intersubjective outdoor dance movement psychotherapy practice. Developing outdoor practice has raised my awareness, skills, understanding and application of nature-based interventions that support one-to-one DMP sessions with thriving human and more than-human ecological relationships. Key themes discussed as elements of practice are symbiotic relationships, cross-fertilisation of ideologies, sentient and animate reciprocity, earthly ethics, and metaphorical processes. The benefits of nature-based experiences for the embodied processes are exemplified in the therapeutic synchrony and outcomes of an allegorical client’s process. An additional positive outcome for clients is the significance of the outdoor safe space being a resource the client can return to without the therapist.