Dujdao Vadhanapakorn, 37, dance movement psychotherapist at the Workshopper
What does a dance movement therapist do?
We deliver psychological therapy treatments to participants by using dance as a tool to improve or unlock their cognitive skills.
What is a session like?
There are roughly four stages: check-in, warm-up, bridging and landing. Basically, you are led through different stages so you can tell me things through body language instead of verbal language. Wordless movements get you to understand yourself better. It’s an alternative way of spending time with yourself—something you don't have much chance of doing in your daily routines.
How do you know what your “patients” are thinking?
I don't. We can't interpret movements based on theories alone. Although I understand the structure of movement analysis, people have different backgrounds, identities and intentions. A dance psychotherapist needs to allow them to connect the gesture flow to their situation themselves. And that explains why, in the workshop, I will ask some questions to learn more about you. I need to know the surrounding context.
How did you get into dance movement therapy?
I was an actress with a background in communications and psychology. One day, while driving home, I had a repetitive vision popping up in my head. It was a picture of a staircase at my grandma’s house and it had no link with my daily routine. That’s when I started thinking how our body and mind work and connect. I did research and found this course, Movement Analysis, which teaches you the relationship between body and mind. It inspired me to become a specialist in body and mind science. Becoming a psychotherapist was an advantage.
So what did you find out from your studies?
Our body has a memory. Most people think memories only live in your brain, but they live in your muscles, too. For example, when you play golf, you need to keep repeating your movement to a certain point where your body remembers how to do it well.
Do people need to be a professional dancer to do your job?
No. But you need to know how your body connects to your thoughts and emotions, and the basics of communication through body movement.
What’s the most intense case you’ve experienced as a therapist?
During my final year of schooling in the UK, I was sent to treat forensic patients—those who have committed a crime but were diagnosed with mental health issues—at Springfield Hospital in London. I was told to be fully conscious at every second, and never turn my back to the patients as they can attack you anytime.
Info
Clinic session: B1,500/hour; workshop at B6,500/five hours (one-day workshop)