The art of movement improvisation in psychotherapy. Taking dance-movement improvisation into the intersubjective field

In this article the author speaks about the use of movement improvisation within the psychotherapeutic process. Starting with a description of improvisation in the art of dance, the writer arrives to underline how movement improvisation can help both the psychotherapist and the patient in a dance movement psychotherapy's setting. Contributions from authors from a range of disciplines help the author to put evidence on body - movement improvisation as a tool for improving the therapist's own capacity of reverie, giving the patient the possibility to explore non-verbal contents. Different communication codes are shared in the patient-therapist's relationship, activating a way for a fruitful mentalisation. An example of improvisation during a session with a traumatised woman shows us how a psychobiological attunement between therapist and patient can activate moments of improvisation that contribute to the transformation from non-verbal and non-symbolic material to a symbolic way to share and communicate.