On the Authentic Movement Model: A Space for Creation—A Place To Be

Abstract

The Authentic Movement (AM) Model involves one or more people moving in the presence of one or more witnesses, whose presence is an integral part of the therapeutic process. After the development of AM in America, the AM model was introduced to Israel and further developed during the 1990s. The AM model is mainly used in group settings, with the model being taught in a compulsory course in programs training dance/movement therapists. While several qualitative studies have explored the significance of these courses for the participants, no large-scale quantitative study had previously been conducted assessing the meaningfulness of these courses. The purpose of this study was, therefore to examine participants’ perceptions of the significance of AM courses to their personal and professional lives, using a quantitative methodology. This study indicates that over 85% of participants in the study who had experienced at least one of various of the AM courses available in Israel believe that all students training as dance/movement therapists should participate in AM courses. Furthermore, the majority of participants in the study who had experienced AM courses indicated that being a witness as well as moving in front of witnesses was a highly significant experience for them.