Movement-exspressive Therapy in the Group of Drug Addicted Patients

Abstract

For the last twenty years movement dance therapy as a form of art therapy is used in Slovenia in the therapy of different patients (neurotic, psychotic, borderline and recently addicted patients). Movement-expressive therapy, a method of group creative psychotherapy with drug addicted patients, is presented. In this form of therapy body movement is used as a media by means of which the patient nonverbally expresses his or her feelings. In the safe environment of the group, conducted by group analyst, the spontaneous movements are understood as a non-verbal equivalent of free associations. By verbalization of their unconscious or previously unrecognized feelings patients reach insight and change, especially their attitude towards one's body and self-image. This is important, because addicted patients have often difficulties with recognizing and expressing their feelings. Therapeutic goals are: better differentiation of the self, improvement of self-esteem, better awareness of feelings, acceptance of one's own body, improvement in communication and activation in therapy. With addicted patients we find especially valuable that through the therapy they learn about their own responsibility for themselves. The difference between symbolic and symptomatic movements and the results of my research is also presented.