Explore the vast range of titles available.

Since the formation of the Spirituality and Religion Affinity Group of the ADTA Multicultural and Diversity Committee (MDC), group members have been afforded the opportunity to share how this part of their identity shapes their dance/movement therapy practice. The similarities and differences in approaches and experiences of each author makes visible a part of their identities that was once hidden in their clinical practice. The areas of sacred healing space, self-care, the Feri tradition, Jewish practice, providing space, and sacredness of the body as they relate to spiritual/religious practice within clinical practice will be explored.

Fat phobia began after World War II, when the health industry and insurance companies began to persuade Americans to lose weight, and this phobia intensified throughout the 20th century. The current fascination with altering the body is poignantly demonstrated by the popularity of ‘reality’ TV shows, such as Extreme Makeover and The Swan, in which people undergo plastic surgery in the quest for a more desirable look. In this social environment, where normal-weight women are considered overweight or ‘fat,’ it’s no wonder that so many women and girls have the negative body image and chronic low self-esteem that lead to eating disorders.

I am a therapist who works with people dealing with disordered eating. A major part of my work with clients is to help them discover ways to manage what seems like a flood of urges to binge, compulsions to purge and fears of getting uncontrollably fat.

For someone overwhelmed by their life ’s problems, it is easier to focus on controlling their body. Because the arena of struggle speaks symptomatically through the body, it is important to address this directly in treatment. Because it is nonverbal, movement therapy bypasses the wall of defenses that talking often reinforces. By joining with their bodies, they are able to accept all aspects of themselves. [...]they gain deep, vital roots to growth.