The Contribution Of A Unique Supervisory Model To Novice Dance/Movement Therapists

Abstract

Problem Statement: This pilot study aimed to demonstrate the link between a unique self-supervision model and changes in movement. It is part of a larger study examining the connection between movement measures and emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. Purpose: The self-supervision model combines Authentic Movement and Epimotorics,’ a tool for movement observation and analysis. We examine the model’s impact on novice dance/movement therapists, measuring movement abilities, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy. We also examine the relationship between the movement and these psychological measures. Methods: The group included dance/movement therapists or those integrating body-movement perspectives in their work. Video recordings captured movement before and after the supervision model training. Analysis of movement measures was informed by Epimotorics’. Findings and results: The results show that some movement parameters were affected more than others. Of 44 measures examined, 12 showed significant changes, e.g. Round curved shaped (Z = -2.24, p .05; Mdnpre=1.00, Mdnpost=3.00). Discussion: These results, significant unto themselves, led to refining the movement parameters for the continued research. They indicated a need for a more specific tool, in order to cross-check the movement parameters with emotional intelligence and self-efficacy questionnaires. If the larger study demonstrates a correlation between these, we can hypothesize that the impact on the relatively small sample would also be present in larger samples. Conclusion: The correlation tested could lead to a breakthrough wherein movement measures may reveal information about emotional intelligence and self-efficacy and vice versa: Questionnaires on emotional intelligence and self-efficacy could provide information about one’s movement.