[Adta] Authentic Movement in a PHP & OP setting

[lreedy11 at comcast.net]

Hi-
I've been asked to co-lead an Authentic MOvement Group ( 8 weeks duration) with patients from both a Partial Hosp Program -- our longer term clients--- and outpatient clients, combined.  The co-leader is a male who is not a movement therapist and works with outpatients only.  My supervisor would like me to co-lead this group, and wants to be sure that the other leader is aware that some of our patients here in PHP are more acute than his outpatient clients, and bring some more safety to the group.

IN my experience, I have only practiced Authentic mvmt with other dancers, grad students, etc, and have never applied this to a mental health setting ( many of the potential clients have diagnoses of PTSD, dissociative d/o, borderline personality, bipolar, depression, etc).

I am wondering if anyone has had experience doing authentic movement with these populations ( PHP clients most specifically), what your experience was, and if you have suggestions about how I might make this style of movement still feel authentic but also safe for my clients.  Most of them have some trouble fully being in their bodies, and the co-leader has little experience with movement groups.
for me, at times, authentic movement was even challenging and felt SO deep in my body-- I am wondering how to allow this group to feel authentic AND contained ( safe) for clients that have had a good deal of truama or body shame, etc.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

You can email me at lreedy11 at comcast.net, or on the listserve,


Lauren Reedy, MA, DTR
Substance Abuse Clinician
Retreat Healthcare
Brattleboro, VT
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