News – Announcing the establishment of the International Network for Dance Movement Therapy

国际舞蹈动作治疗联盟成立公告

Kim Dunphy

University of Melbourne

The connection of dance movement therapists around the world has become stronger with the establishment of the International Network for Dance Movement Therapy. This group was instigated by Dr. Tony Zhou of Inspirees Training Program in Shanghai, China, who has been discussing such a possibility with dance movement therapists around the world for several years. Consultations were held in late 2016 at the European and American conferences, and at committee meetings of the DTAA in Australia. More than 60 people from 20 countries participated in these discussions, agreeing almost without exception that an international network would be welcome and valuable. A Steering Group has now been established with senior DMT professionals from all areas of the globe. Dr. Zhou has been joined by Dr. Dita Federman of University of Haifa, Israel, by Vincenzo Puxeddu, Sorbonne Paris Cité University and President of EADMT, by Dra. Diana Fischman, Universidad Nacional del Arte, Argentina; Amber Gray, Director, Restorative Resources, and Board of Directors, American Dance Therapy Association and by Dr. Kim Dunphy, University of Melbourne and President, Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia (Convenor 2017). The name INDMT (International Network for Dance Movement Therapy) chosen for the establishment phase reflects current modest aspirations to promote dance movement therapy around the world by connecting all those interested, including practitioners, academics and associations.

Goals: To promote health, well-being and creativity across the world by promoting dance movement therapy globally.

Description: The INDMT is an international non-profit organization with representatives and members and regional liaisons in all regions of the world. The group brings together dance movement therapy associations and individuals interested in developing the profession and in supporting, cross-training and co-inspiring one another.

The group is currently discussing potential activities including an exchange of information and collaboration between DMT professionals internationally, the support and promotion of the profession (especially in areas where there is not yet an established association), the development of internationally agreed standards for the dance movement therapy profession and the creation of special projects including collaborative research. Membership is expected to be open to all who are interested - from national associations to training programs, practitioners, students, and other individuals associated with dance movement therapy.

The Steering Group is meeting quarterly to make steady progress for the INDMT. All processes required for operations of an effective network are yet to be established, including membership processes and options for sharing of information. More information will be shared through existing networks such as associations, as the group’s work progresses.

More information is available from the website: www.indmt.org or info@indmt.org.

About the author

Dr. Kim Dunphy, Mackenzie Post-Doctoral Fellow Creative Arts Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of VCA and MCM, University of Melbourne. Email: k.dunphy@unimelb.edu.au