Dancing the Blues: An interdisciplinary collaboration between artists and therapists

Thurston, Scott; Griffin, Julia; Davismoon, Stephen; Omylinska-Thurston, Joanna; Karkou, Vicky

Abstract

Creative practice differs widely across the contexts of artistic performance and therapy. In this article the authors describe a novel example of how the otherwise separate fields of choreographic practices and dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) have fed into each other. More specifically, the article outlines (1) how research into the effectiveness of DMP for depression has been used to create an interdisciplinary performance and (2) how the creative process has informed the development of therapeutic work. The performance was originally intended to disseminate quantitative findings from a study in DMP, but, as it developed, the resonances between artistic and therapeutic practice became the key focus and led to the artists contributing to the principles of a new creative therapy. The performance toured internationally and the new therapy model ‘Arts for the Blues’ has been piloted in the NHS, charities and schools in the north-west of England.

Citation

Thurston, S., Griffin, J., Davismoon, S., Omylinska-Thurston, J., & Karkou, V. (2023). Dancing the Blues: An interdisciplinary collaboration between artists and therapists. Journal of Applied Arts and Health, 14(2), 159-174. https://doi.org/10.1386/jaah_00107_1

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 24, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jun 22, 2023
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 14, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 23, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Applied Arts & Health
• Print ISSN: 2040-2457
• Electronic ISSN: 2040-2465
• Publisher: Intellect
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 159-174
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/jaah_00107_1
• Keywords: Music, Philosophy, Clinical Psychology, Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous), Visual Arts and Performing Arts, Cultural Studies
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1386/jaah_00107_1