A client just needs a therapist who can be fully present and make authentic mind and body responses to them. It is so important for therapist to practice mindfulness. People have to stop seeing those in substance addiction recovery as drug addicts, they are just people. They deserve to have genuine relationships with others and be treated like anyone on earth. This talk is a really good reminder. Thank you Emma for sharing.
I enjoyed her talk about how the therapist must first be present in the moment in order for the client to be present. We often don't realize how big of an impact those around us have on our mood and state of being. By being mindful herself, Emma is giving more comfort to her clients and allowing them to be present and feel their emotions fully.
I love that she made the point that mindfulness must be in the patient, but also the therapist. Having the therapist in a mindful state strengthens and deepens the patient's/client's mindfulness ability. Then, over time, through this deepened mindful state, change can occur.
I really liked the example of trying mindfulness with people with substance abuse how she made people aware of their surroundings and bodies which is what she uses in therapy sessions.
I enjoyed Barton walking the crowd, and us listeners behind the screen, through being fully present/mindfulness. It takes the abstract thoughts and theories related to DMT and brings them to a personal level as the audience can engage with them (and feel them physically/physical effects too)
The idea of employing mindfulness in relationships and maintaining individuality without ignoring the other person is very inspiring. I will definitely try it out!
This concept of "interpersonal neurobiology" is fascinating. It makes sense that intrapersonal dialogue shifts based on one's interpersonal relationships. But the key is for these relationships to offer safety, which Emma beautifully explains in this talk.
I appreciate how Emma states how challenging it can be to create a healthy relationship with someone who is a substance user. Many of them have a history of having very few relationships, and the few relationships they have had have been unhealthy. The only relationship that has been a constant in their lives is the one with their drug. It can be incredibly challenging for a person with a history of substance use, not even taking into consideration their history of trauma, to trust others. This trust takes time to develop, and it cannot be rushed. It is this trust that Emma reminds us is essential in establishing the ability for someone to learn to understand their own body. If a client does not have this trust, they will not feel safe enough to fully be in their bodies around you. Emma emphasized the point that, as the therapist, you need to be able to model being mindful for the client to become mindful. This is something I feel not everyone recognizes, but it makes so much sense. Just like with emotional regulation or self-soothing, if you cannot do that, then neither will your client. This is especially important for a population that has used substances as a way to completely disconnect not only with their environment, but with their bodies as well. Clients have told me they used to completely disconnect from everything, especially themselves. In one session, the clients stated how it can be overwhelming to feel their feelings and feel their bodies, as it is so foreign to them. As DMTs, we need to be able to recognize this and acknowledge our own privilege of being able to understand our emotions and be embodied. I enjoyed how Emma cited various scientific articles and studies within her talk. She discussed interpersonal neurobiology, the way the brain grows and how it is influenced by personal relationships. She mentioned how interpersonal stress can be a big trigger, which leads to lots of emotional reactivity, highlighting the fact that poor emotional regulation is major part of addiction. The way to decrease this reactivity is through the use of mindfulness practices. It is through this introspection and self-awareness that one can become fully aware of their emotional experiences and become embodied.
I really appreciate this comment. It is so important to note that a lot of constants in substance abuser's lives come from their substance and not a lot of other external relationships. It is also so cool to see how mindfulness helps those on recovery
It's so interesting to see therapy combined with mindfulness and how effective it really can be. As simple as grounding yourself and breathing can help focus your mind and free it from distractions that may come up in a session.
A healthy mind and body do take a lot of conscious effort which Emma has been able to demonstrate effortlessly. Very nice concept. Those who wish to practice what Emma teaches here should be aware that results may seem slow at first and only become noticeable after a while, which is while you must never give up. A workbook like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Worksheets for Substance Abuse by Portia Cruise can be a very handy companion to track your progress, stay motivated and avoid relapse.
I totally agree with Emma that mindfulness is not a technique, it is a way of "being" in our relationship. The combination of mindfulness practice and a DMT approach harmonized with our internal self, our body movement and inner experience. And I love the idea of bringing mindfulness into the therapeutic relationship when working with people who struggles with substance abuse, and drawing components in DMT as a vehicle to experience, explore, be aware, and be present.
I enjoyed how Emma walked through the entire process of embodiment. I think it would have been awesome to be in the audience for this and to listen to her speak on it. I also think she did a great job tying substance abuse into her beginning mindfulness activity.
I really appreciated how she mentioned the importance of a therapist themselves being mindful and present during a session to allow the person they are working with to also be mindful. This can be crucial to creating a trusting relationship between the two individuals.
I really liked learning about what mindfulness is in this video. The therapist describes it as the process of wondering and being curious about each moment as it unfolds. Mindfulness can be helpful for people on the road to recovery who abuse substances. Movement can provide healthier ways for these patients to communicate because it is difficult for them to communicate in any other way.
This is so important, DMT gives them a space in life where they can communicate where in other ways it might be really difficult for them. It was really cool to hear her stories on her effectiveness with addiction recovery
I am so intrigued by the concept of mindfulness from the inside-out as described in this talk. To be able to hold the inner-self witness, and ask the questions with the client of their embodied experience is a skill that I admire. When we are able to be fully present for ourselves we can also be present for the client in a way that is unique to DMT.
I appreciate how Emma Barton brings the practice of mindfulness to light and how she has to maintain her own mindfulness in order to set an example and connection between her patients. She testifies that being mindful can change the way people approach their life, relationships, and addictions. When one is able to focus their mindfulness and energy through their awareness of their bodies and minds, they are able to improve on these addictions.
I think it is so helpful to really define mindfulness and what it means. Her description is super powerful when it comes to substance abuse and addiction because often times they struggle with other relationships of their own and having a nonverbal bond can really be life changing.
I agree that it is helpful to explain what mindfulness really means because I know I wouldn't of been able to easily give an accurate description of the term before watching this talk. Mindfulness is something I value and try to practice, but it is also important to understand its meaning and importance in application.
Emma Barton explains to us just how essential mindfulness is in not only being self aware, but in helping to form external relationships with those around us. She informs us how mindfulness during sessions with an addict or even if you are a family member or friend of an addict, that mindfulness can help to create a trusting environment that aids in the recovery for addicts. This relates directly to our nonverbal communication course because (1) we actually did a mindfulness exercise very early on in the semester, (2) it reminded me of the video about Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke and how we often ignore the right half of our brain (the right side allows us to feel a greater sense of connectivity to the world around us through touch, feelings, sounds, etc.), and (3) how essential the feeling of trust and safety are in any relationships. I think the greatest thing to pull from Emma Barton's speech is how necessary mindfulness is to obtain not only inner peace, but to create deeper relationships with those around us. She shows how we need to be present in order for others to be present in our relationships.
Emma begins her talk with a gentle, inviting, and engaging experiential that truly embodies the connective, nonjudgmental essence of mindfulness. It served as a beautiful introduction to the topic at hand, namely, how mindfulness serves the body-mind connection to help individuals recover from substance addiction. Emma carefully and captivatingly, with her centered presence and tone of voice, describes mindfulness as a state of being, of “curiosity and wonder”, utilizing and sharing her extensive experience and training in yoga and mindfulness as foundation for her expertise. To be informed that both mindfulness and substance addiction are relational entities really transformed my understanding of the phenomena and stimulated a fresher, more humanized perception of individuals whose “primary relationship is the drug itself”. I appreciated Emma connecting mindfulness to the body and movement as sources of information as well as stressing the important responsibility the therapist has to also be mindful in the relationship of self and other. The knowledge and wisdom Emma presented in her talk prioritizes the relationship as a catalyst for healing, within and outside the therapeutic context. I am curious for more specifics on the neuroscience beyond mindfulness and the body-mind approach to relational healing for substance addiction. Thank you Emma for sharing and enlightening!
I wish Emma talked more about how she uses substance abuse because she really only gave the one story. I am left without knowing how mindfulness helps that. However, I did take away form this talk the power of mindfulness. I also liked how she said that the mind is a product of relationships with others. And that is so true because others help foster an environment for the mind to grow and develop. So, now I will think of mindfulness as less of an individualistic idea and more of a community idea.
That's a good point, and I think it is something that Emma really wanted people to take away from her talk. I always viewed mindfulness as more of an individual practice than a community approach. There seems to be more power in mindfulness when it is encouraged by others.
That is a really good point, I did not really consider how important it is to really see deeper into more examples to understand how mindfulness really helps her patients.
I found it insightful how mindfulness is portrayed not just as a skill, but as a fundamental way of being in a relationship with ourselves and others. The emphasis on the therapist's mindfulness is particularly important, as it fosters a trusting dynamic that enhances the therapeutic process. Additionally, incorporating movement as a form of communication can significantly aid emotional regulation and stress management. Lastly, the focus on environmental awareness resonates; being attuned to our surroundings encourages authentic movement and deepens our self-awareness in the moment.
I especially appreciate the break down of what is mindfulness. Often times people (including myself) believe that mindfulness is meditation and have trouble with the practice. Being someone who has tried it, I still find it very difficult to meditate and know that it takes a lot of practice. Now knowing that mindfulness is the awareness of thoughts, feelings etc, helps put it more into perspective. I believe that it was important to mention how practices like mindfulness helps one to emotionally regulate. Also, I enjoyed your statement on how one can use the body as a source of information/experience. Overall, I enjoyed the talk on mindfulness.
A quote that stood out to me in this talk from the speaker’s client was that dance/movement therapy had brought them a sense, “the establishment of trust is at the core of my being, able to listen to the wisdom of my body.” I really appreciated this, especially with context of thinking about substance use very often being a means of numbing feeling. If you are able to feel safe to do so then trusting and listening to your body is an amazing way to figure out what it is you need, both body and mind.
I really appreciate the perspective that this presenter brings into the world of DMT. At least in the USA, the emphasis on the individual versus the collective has had negative impacts on peoples ability to relate to one another empathetically and feel connected. I think that bringing the perspective of true mindfulness where we are fully present with the moment and with each other is going to help a lot of people heal from isolation. Thank you for sharing your experiences in India with your guru.
Thank you for pointing out the collective aspect of this talk. I was focusing on how mindfulness can connect us to ourselves and our bodies, but I appreciate you highlighting how it can bring us more fully present with others.
I really enjoyed how Emma Barton started the talk with a mindfulness experience. I enjoyed how she brought up scientific studies and how that relates to mindfulness and Dance Movement Therapy. I like how she explains how she uses mindfulness to help create the relationship with her clients. I think her training is very interesting learning yoga therapy by siting an observing. Through yoga therapy she learned to be a healer. This enlightenment is directly related to dance movement therapy. I love the quote "all is one." This was a beautiful talk.
I knew mindfulness played a role in anxiety therapy but I didn't realize it could be so powerful in substance abuse therapy as well. I find it intriguing how Emma can share a connection with her clients. I learned a lot from this video
I like how she mentions that the simple experience of vision can be internalized and be explored. Sometimes I feel that people often forget to "smell the roses" and become aware of the experiences around them. When people are aware, they are able to reflect and be mindful and change their "experience of life", to use their natural stimulants versus unnatural stimulants like substances.
There is so much great info in this talk. One idea that stuck out with me was the idea of taming the mind and the concept she described as interpersonal neurobiology by Dr. Siegal. The mindfulness and interpersonal connection developed between the therapist and participant can potentially increase the benefits and expression of movement.
I appreciate the concept of "being one" within the therapeutic relationship. In DMT, the therapeutic relationship is so emphasized, but there is often a lingering imbalance of power, or rather, an awareness of a power dynamic. By practicing mindfulness and by applying the concepts of interpersonal neurobiology and yogic teachings, perhaps DMTs can shift that dynamic to a more reciprocal and symbiotic state with their clients. Thank you for your talk.
I really appreciate the exploration of the clinician's state of being and how it impacts interactions with a client. I feel like this takes the concept of "creating the space" to a deeper level. It beautifully builds upon other dimensions of the therapeutic alliance like the emotional container or the physical space that is shared. It makes me think of the connection and interaction of energies that takes place in therapy. This lens has certainly shifted the way I think about sitting with others. Many thanks to Emma for this lovely presentation!
I thoroughly appreciated the focus on relationships in this talk. First identifying the individual in relationship with their (past) drug, the therapist’s awareness of herself in the presence of the client, and finally in the unfolding therapeutic relationship - wherein the client and therapist work together to experience emotional regulation. This approach requires only authenticity and mindfulness, but it requires constant work for both parties involved. D/MT is unique in that it offers movement to achieve this interpersonal connection, where the client’s customary words and behaviors may not have been sufficient. As Emma relates "when we share relationship, we share a mind. Finally, I deeply resonate with Emma’s description of the power of D/MT as an individual who practices other movement modalities: “Without D/MT’s focus on the uniqueness of embodied and non-verbal relationships, I’m not sure I could reflect on my experiences the same way.” Dance may be in the title, but D/MT need not require dance or dancers to be therapists. Rather, as Emma explained, D/MT gives structure and language and direction to therapist who hopes to incorporate nonverbal communication in their work, so long as they "offer safety in the process of reflection."
I really appreciate how Emma shared the power of mindfulness through the lens of dance/movement therapy, which is not only meditation practice, but it is also the increase of self-awareness, being able to mindfully witness our own thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the present moment. I love that she also emphasized scientific explanation of how neurobiology processes and respond effectively to emotional regulation of oneself, further, others and environments. This is really profoundly insightful knowledge for me as a future therapist to understand how important and powerful to increase self-awareness is, in order to hold the “safe-space” and create “trust” in a therapeutic relationship mindfully. For particular individuals with substance abuse, I really appreciate the process that it is not about teaching or guiding them to be able to control their emotions, desires, and needs, but as a therapist, being authentically mindful can be a safe space within oneself that will create and support human connection and positive energy within a relationship with clients and environments genuinely as well. As Emma shared the concept of “one mind” in a relationship, this makes me see and understand the core concept of an embodiment of dance/movement therapy more manifestly.
I truly enjoyed Emma's invitation into the "environment." Her invitation reminded me to wonder about truly belonging and how this can only happen when one is aware of being authentically oneself. Also, this talk reminded me to be connected to the shared experience of the other. Her many years of training and experience in the field, helped to inspire me about the power of the somatic process. As a therapist-in-training, I am beginning to wonder about how to establish therapeutic relationships that prioritize a joined process of healing. To me it seems that a therapist can be a container for emotions, sensation and feelings to unfold for the self, as well as for the other.
I love how she emphasized the importance of observing your environment. I feel that this can help us with authentic movement because we can feel more encouraged to be aware of our surroundings and how we are feeling in that moment.
Agree! Mindfulness is about cultivating a deeper relationship with ourselves. It invites us to pause and truly listen to our thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice helps us become more aware of our needs, fosters self-compassion, and encourages us to engage with our inner experiences.
It's amazing how you explained mindfulness as a "state of being rather than technique". It made me realize how I don't notice a lot about myself and my surroundings on a daily basis as much as I should be. I will definitely have to start practicing mindfulness a lot more because I really did enjoy the activity in the beginning!
I just started learning about mindfulness last year in a class and it really is amazing how much we don't notice about ourselves without being present.
I think the phrase "state of being rather than technique" also helps mindfulness seem more sustainable. When people hear about mindfulness I feel that they think it takes years of work and practice. Although it is continued mindfulness practice is important, I think it's also important to understand that mindfulness can be obtained by anyone.
I enjoyed the initial approach to mindfulness through the different senses--from a body-level first, and then by incorporating cognitive thinking about my experience in the present moment. I also appreciated Emma's prioritization of socialization and relationship in treatment while still incorporating the body-mind. For example, she spoke about emotion regulation through the body, and how this can be achieved in relationship. Furthermore, the importance of a therapist's self-awareness and presence is paramount in considering how she affects and relates to the client. A therapist's mindfulness goes deeper than simply modeling, in that it creates a stronger connection with the client. As Emma noted, it "teaches simply by sharing space." This talk has helped me further understand presence as a mindfulness in relationship: in connection between people there is the mind of each individual and the mind of the shared experience. Ultimately, I was left with a new understanding of Gandhi's words, which is profoundly appreciated. Thank you for sharing, Emma!
Dance Therapy - It is very cool to me that mindfulness can play a role in both anxiety and substance abuse therapy. Emma did a great job creating a good message in this video.
I enjoyed the invitation to “the environment” that Emma began with, as it relates to how we connect with others, while still being our true selves. Emma discusses the importance of mindfulness in relation to the sensory experience, connecting her work with addicts, yoga therapy and dance/movement therapy. Emma asks the audience, “is your mind here or is it anticipating?” and then goes on to explain that that is mindfulness, and reminds us to “be curious” about each moment as it unfolds. Furthermore, she explains how mindfulness plays a large role in the creation of relationships. Emma discusses the importance of the therapist being mindful in order to create the stronger relationship with the client. This talk has allowed me to understand the importance of mindfulness, not just in my personal day-to-day life, but as a therapist, as a client, and as a human being. I found that coming to a close with Gandhi’s words created a deep and meaningful connection to how mindfulness relates to the work that is done in the field. Thank you for your contributions, Emma!
I love how Emma begins with a sensory experience to reel in the audience. Her ability to so accurately identify interpersonal stress as the biggest issue in those with addiction and translate that into interventions that address it is precisely what DMT aims to do. Her focus on relationship and incorporating mindfulness as a way of connecting with another rather than just a technique is truly revolutionary. This type of therapeutic relationship can serve as a model for clients to incorporate into their personal lives and strengthen their interpersonal effectiveness on a larger scale.
I found Emma's talk on mindfulness and substance abuse recovery very intriguing and applicable to the work I currently do with adults in recovery from eating disorders. I too have found that focusing on the senses is an incredible way into the body. I found her description of the dynamics involved in building therapeutic relationship with a person in the addiction cycle to be quite poignant and also applicable to the challenges I’ve found in building connection with eating disorder clients. Parallel to an addictive substance, my client’s primary relationship is with their eating disorder, which as Emma eloquently articulated, adds an additional obstacle in therapy. I am interested in seeing how my own cultivation of mindfulness while with clients could, as you suggest, support a co-regulation and attunement experience. I am grateful for that invitation. At one point in her talk she described “the chance to be present and curious as a way of being rather than an intervention”. I love that perspective, and am also curious how this would not be considered an intervention. Should it not be?
I enjoyed hearing about Emma's understanding of mindfulness. I have personally come to understand mindfulness through my relationship with, and noticing of my breath. I appreciated Emma's integration of simple acts of noticing sounds, visual information and sensation. I feel these directives help mindfulness to be more accessible for those who struggle with "noticing the breath" alone. I also appreciated the invitation to be "curious as a way of being", and also the suggestion to "include the body as a source of information.”
As I listened to the significance of every mind in the room, I thought of how every mind counts. What if we thought of this in the same way we think of every vote counting? That one person's presence can directly affect the presence of another. Emma highlights the power and responsibility one has to being "the healthy mind" in the room. I think mindfulness has a gentle way of empowering people, and Emma embodies this with her delivery. As a witness, I felt grounded in feeling her presence, and trusting her awareness of balancing self and other. Emma opened my eyes to the interdisciplinary knowledge that can inform how we treat substance abuse, and the simple interventions that can be implemented in treatment.
I enjoyed the part about a therapist being fully present to make a session and person be able to feel present. I agree with this and think it's important for all therapists dance therapy or others to be present with a person and make them feel they are comfortable and can be vulnerable.
Thanks Emma for a great presentation! The discussion around relationship stood out to me in this presentation and shifted my own therapeutic perspective. I had not fully considered the relational dynamics at play in substance abuse and can see how this could be applicable to a number of maladaptive coping mechanisms. Reframing these behaviors as relationships provides an avenue for using the therapeutic relationship to shift relational patterns and I definitely see how mindfulness and the introduction of this practice within the relationship can help begin shifting these patterns.
I love how Emma focused on how important mindfulness is in both parties in the therapy relationship. This mindfulness in the therapist really can help clients achieve the change that are striving for.
I also agree that mindfulness is so important; I started regularly practicing mindfulness alongside my first group therapy session. Mindfulness itself holds great power, and I can only imagine its power with therapy.
I was drawn to this video because the topic was substance addiction and my father has been struggling with alcoholism for a few years now and i'm always curious on how I can help with the situation as it becomes very difficult to communicate with him every time he relapses. Through this video I can understand that it is not all about the verbal aspect of communication but also through the nonverbal communication and how me being deeply present in the moment with him can encourage my father to also be present which will allow him to become more mindful to help him cope with his interpersonal stress and triggers. Through nonverbal communication i can allow him to feel comfortable and secure, I know that my words don't get very far with him but now i am hoping that with these simple awareness tactics it will help him understand how to change his mechanism from looking to alcohol to coping in better ways. It is fascinating that just becoming more aware of your surroundings and witnessing these nonverbal cues from individuals and your environment can become a type of coping mechanism to help the brain handle your interpersonal stress.
The talk influenced me personally by showing me a inner experience on noticing myself and body in space. I have close connections to someone who struggled and lost to their substance abuse. In watching this video and noticing my emerging identity as a DMT, I wonder how I could have changed the outcome of the person lost to the substance abuse. Was there a way to help them through that struggling part of their life? Mindfulness was not brought forth to me until graduate school and so since this seems was not incorporated into my environment at a young age would the addicted individual have this resource in their environment and would it have made a difference when practiced earlier on. I was impacted by the talk professionally as it showed me how this kind of experiential can be conducted in person and how to guide groups through that process. Mindfulness after experiencing it, brings up questions on how the practice of self can be improved over time. In substance abuse the individual may be deep into their addiction or beginning that exploration. So it is not intervention but more about being… so then do these individuals not connect with holding space with their being? Would European mindfulness be very different than others such as Asia based mindfulness? Incorporating this kind of intervention may be difficult with some client cultural views or beliefs. How is this all-encompassing for the cultural aspects of being with self? As professional is this intervention appropriate to include in all sessions? I see this practice being very important to my emerging identity as a professional and want to show how well this practice is with clientele. Q/comment/suggestions- I liked how the presenter started off with a sensory experiential. It incorporates the theory into practice by having the audience try on the experiential. What if the end of the talk had revisited the experiential or ended with an open-ended question at the end?
The concept of mindfulness is something I find intriguing, so I enjoyed Emma's talk on it. Her introduction was an awesome way to get people thinking, and I felt instant peace from this short intro of mindfulness practice. This helped me to further understand why mindfulness is a very valuable tool for those struggling with addiction.
I love the idea of mindfulness and I think it has so many benefits. I love practicing new types of mindfulness and found her intro engaging. I think mindfulness is a very valuable tool in DMT
Therapists have to show mindfulness during the session to allow clients to be mindful as well. People in recovery have a lot of triggers, but interpersonal stress seems to be the biggest trigger and without being mindful they won't be able to understand or express the stress they are holding inside their body. I enjoyed that she explained how clients respond to how the therapist shows their feelings, and if they don't, the nonverbal communication through movement won't be as strong with the client.
I truly appreciated your insight regarding the therapeutic relationship. I am in agreement with you about the need to prioritize that relationship. Making connections with others a top concern is a philosophy I have tried to live by in my personal life and plan to carry over into my professional career. We must be mindful and self-aware as individuals in order to be present within the relationship and to make it possible for our clients to even have a relationship with us. It is important not to underestimate how essential our sense of presence can be to how present each client is. Thank you for pointing out that being fully present is a “choice” and totally present tense experience. Thinking of being present as being immersed in all of your senses in order to be in-tune with your mind is an extremely helpful description for me and a new lens to view this concept through. Thinking of it in this manner creates a whole new way to experience being present in a way that “non-movers” might better understand. Your characterization of mindfulness as wondering and being curious about moments as they unfold was clear and simple. I will include this in my explanation to clients in the future. It is interesting that you found that the more mindful an individual is, the more they have the capacity for emotional regulation. Your findings on how being the “healthy”, present mind in a therapeutic relationship with clients recovering from substance abuse creates a safer space for them to become more mindful, therefore improving their emotional regulation skills. It makes me presume that having more present and mindful social and familial relationships in the lives of individuals in recovery from substance abuse would make this emotional regulation more constant in their lives.
I really appreciated Emma’s focus on the importance of Mindfulness in Emotional Regulation. Moreover, Emma mentioned scientific studies regarding the physical science of neurobiology to emphasize on the effectiveness of Mindfulness in regulating our emotions. This ties well with the substance abuse recovery because many a times, the clients with substance abuse develop a dependency on an external substance to feel safe especially when their emotions are too overwhelming and the recovery is about helping them to regulate their emotions without the use of substances. I also loved how Emma considers the body as a “source of information/experiences” and I feel that the art of mindful noticing can allow to draw healing from the body’s wisdom. Emma offers a different lens on Mindfulness by emphasizing that it is not just a practice of meditation but it is having awareness of the simple sensations within our bodies and our environment. It was really insightful for me to understand that the energy that we, as therapists, bring into our relationship with our clients, in turn influences the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Emma’s point of being authentically mindful in our role as therapists, reminds me of one of the core conditions of Roger’s person centered therapy - Congruence/Genuineness, which entails that there needs to be an authentic awareness of our real selves in order to become our ideal selves. This was a great learning statement for me to understand why it is essential for me as a future therapist, to be aware of my own emotions, feelings and body sensations in the present moment. I absolutely loved the idea of sharing “one mind” when we enter into a relationship. I would like to explore this idea more. I also appreciated Emma drawing resemblances between the Eastern philosophy of the Guru-Disciple relationship and the western perspective of therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist. This made me go back to my own cultural roots and remember one of my learnings based on the Guru-Shishya relationship philosophy “the disciple eventually masters the knowledge that the Guru genuinely embodies” which made me understand the importance of being the change, that I would like to see within my clients. It was a very insightful talk and I learned new perspectives from it!
After this talk, it's easy to see how being really mindful can help those who are abusing substances stray away and focus on something else than what they are dependent on. Emma's focus on the relationship can be seen to help others because she is giving them an easy way to communicate their thoughts and feelings about their abuse. In this way, she is allowing for easier transfer of information and a smoother recovery.
I really enjoyed her explanation of her work across cultures and the importance of presence in relationships. Additionally, I appreciated how she described how her work in yoga therapy influenced the way she approached DMT
So much great info in this talk! I appreciate the connection that was made between ancient yoga practices and dance/movement therapy. The parallel between the student-teacher relationship and therapist-client relationship is more similar than I initially thought. The idea of being present and mindful as a way to help those around you do the same is such a powerful idea. Building authentic relationships with those recovering from substance abuse and/or addiction can be challenging. There were some great considerations mentioned throughout this talk. Becoming aware of my own inner processes in order to build trusting relationships with others is something I personally believe in.
I liked how Emma connected dance/movement therapy, mindfulness and yoga into her talk. The concept of mindfulness is gaining popularity recently and I think it was great that she was able to describe what it is and how it works so clearly. One of he main points that stuck with me was how when clients dealing with substance abuse are working through treatment, the techniques that they are taught work much better if they can stay mindful through their session. The awareness that is gained through mindfulness is something that I think many people could benefit from in their everyday lives
It was very interesting learning about the importance of mindfulness and how strong it is in the recovery of substance abuse and in therapeutic relationships. It is important to be present and mindful in all relationships and that should be reciprocated to create a healthy relationship.
I enjoyed hearing about the creation of a relationship though being mindful with your own body and what someone else's abilities in a relationship can affect your mindfulness.
I really enjoyed the connection explored between dance/movement therapy, yoga (and yoga therapy) as well as the physical science of neurobiology mentioned throughout the talk. I believe that people often misperceive the value of DMT with the individuals suffering with substance abuse. This talk connected the physical sciences with the more of the emotional and spiritual sides of mindfulness. I particularly enjoyed the end of the talk when the dance/movement therapist wondered if individuals with these issues were given more of an opportunity to explore their own selves as a way of recovering, and if that would be beneficial and productive.
Wow, so many deep concepts packed into this talk, especially regarding one's relationship with their body and their mind and their relationship with another person. I appreciated Emma's points about the power of mindfulness in a relationship between two people, the effect of simply creating that mindful space. It was also fascinating to hear about her varied career, with time spent in India developing a relationship with a guru and all she learned from that. And of course the Gandhi prayer at the very end was just so beautiful.
I love how Emma Barton describes yoga and mindfulness's role in Dance Movement Therapy for people with substance abuse. Her framework of a shared mind when in a relationship makes me think of how my mindset (whether it's positive, negative, sensitive) affects people I'm close to. It also makes me relate on how toxic relationships and people can actually transfer negativity to the people they are surrounded with. That being said, even removing someone with substance abuse from people around them that also share similar substance abuse problems could be beneficial as well as having a therapist with a healing mind being there in support for the client. This talk was really well done, very interesting, and gave me a lot of food for thought. Thank you.
Emma Barton uses mindfulness as a way to create a relationship with individuals who are in the process of recovering from substance abuse. She discusses that by bringing mindfulness into the therapy, it helps create healthier ways to communicate and it develops trust within the patient. It creates a teaching experience by the simple act of sharing space with the client and allowing them the chance to be present and curious as a being. I believe this relates to Nonverbal Communication because it allows the individual who is trying to recover from substance abuse to develop ways to communicate their feelings through movement. It also allows the individual to feel understood through their communication and to see that their feelings are being received through their movement. I think that the speaker makes a good point in saying that we need to be mindful when working or interacting with someone who is battling with substance abuse because the person is in a relationship with the drug itself and in the process of recovering we need to allow them to create healthy relationships with us as well because it will help regulate emotions and therefore can help decrease the addiction.
I love the idea of tying yoga practice into dance/movement therapy. The ideas of being present in the moment and being mindful are very central to a lot of work in dance therapy. The authenticity in the relationship between the therapist and the client is very important, and I think Emma's use of mindfulness to create and strengthen this relationship is incredibly powerful.
I agree. I feel like Emma compiles many ideas from substance abuse, mindfulness, and dance movement therapy, but talks about them in a way where they all influence each other and make sense together.
I really loved this talk. I think that mindfulness and a connection to the environment as well as to our own bodies can immensely help someone to reconnect to their body after that damage. Again, this is another holistic approach to treating a disease of the mind and body. It integrates the whole person into the healing.
I had no idea that mindfulness had such a large part in substance abuse recovery. After listening to this talk it makes sense but I would have never guessed that it played such an essential role.
I love to see when people bring their expertise and training from other fields to influence DMT and bring new perspective that could help others. Therapy can work variably depending on the person so bringing a new technique to the field, especially when working in a population such as those recovering from substance abuse is so important to finding what each person needs
I did too. It makes so much sense from lived experience that maintaining a calm presence (usually) de-escalates the other person involved. How she talked about being in the space together as sharing a mind was really interesting.
Emma Barton brings together the idea and state of mindfulness as a wonderful tool in helping those with substance abuse and addiction. 1) She explains what mindfulness is and how it is our ability to recognize that we are all connected to one another while also retaining our individuality and with this we can become aware of our inner processes and how they impact our external relationships. She ultimately emphasizes that our mind is a product of our relationship with each other and that as we enter into this we share a mind, and this mind relies on trust that in an addiction setting means that people interacting with those struggling can be responsible for being the person/mind of safety in the process of reflection and teaching by sharing space. 2) When Barton mentioned the fact that mindfulness was a state of recognizing that we were all connected, and yet we could retain as our own unique being it reminded me of what we learned from Jill Bolte Taylor’s TedX video and how she felt connected on an energy level as she went back and forth between the right and left brain functions of reality in her stroke. This talk, just like the other two videos, further cemented what we have learned so much in class, the idea that we all seek trust and understanding from others and people battling addiction are no different. Our relations with one another are so crucial to our well-being in good and bad times, and that we must always treat each interaction with mindfulness and the awareness that comes with it that we must share a safe space with the other in order to keep our feelings of trust. 3) I think the most important thing from this video to take and share with others is that we must all be present in our communication and presence with others, offering a safe space of trust. A relationship is such a beautiful thing and if we can stay in the moment and give it our full attention we can let others know that they are safe and that they have someone whom they can trust.
I really liked that Emma started her talk with a mindfulness exercise that encouraged the audience to become attuned to the present moment. Her discussion of the combination of Dance/Movement Therapy, yoga, and yoga therapy practices, particularly in the context of treatment for those suffering from substance abuse, is one that I think a lot of people could relate to as methods for more mindful living are becoming ever more sought after.
I agree with this! The use of an exercise right away can almost deepen your understanding of what the therapist is going to be talking about. Very helpful! The use of yoga is very simple and can be used my many people struggling with addiction. There are many good options for people to utilize on the road to recovery.
Emma Barton explains how she merged her knowledge of dance movement therapy and yoga in order to form of healing for people with addiction problems. She uses mindfulness as a way for people to move their minds into the here and now and try to understand the psychosomatic information people's bodies are sending. She uses mindfulness in order to establish a person-to-person relationship with people who had a strong person-to-drug relationship. She explains how she doesn't teach her patients mindfulness rather, she displays mindfulness and through a form of what I understood as mirroring, her patients are able to become mindful. Mindfulness is a person's ability to connect with their body and understand how each part of their body is feeling. I found it interesting that she quoted a study that determined when a person is more mindful, a person has better impulse control which is extremely important for recovering addicts. Addicts are more likely to act on their feelings impulsively which causes them to relapse. By having her patients become mindful, she is increasing their ability to control their impulses and remain sober. I think if rehabs adopted mindfulness into their healing regimen, maybe they would see an increase in amount of people who stay clean.
I found the information on the relationship between mindfulness and emotional stress very interesting. This simple fact shows how important it is for individuals to be aware of themselves and practice mindful activities in order to prevent things like substance abuse. The state of "being" can be overlooked in many situations, when in reality it is one of the most important, healthy things you can do with your time. Also, I feel as though the connection to yoga was a conscious decision on Emma's part due to its growing popularity in the United States and the positive connotation that follows it. Overall this was a great talk that speaks highly of DMT and how it can be especially helpful with individuals who struggle with being present in the moment, which is a key feature for individuals who struggle with substance abuse.
Emma Barton talks about the importance of mindfulness with ourselves and our relationships with others. She believes that in order to help people who are suffering from substance abuse we first have to be mindful and be the mind they can find trustworthy and safe so we can help them with their way of being. In class we are always talking about the interpersonal communication and Emma Barton emphasizes this importance with mindfulness in our relationships with people by letting them know we are giving them our message but also receiving theirs. The most important thing in this video was through mindfulness we know that everyone is interconnected making all of us one but also through mindfulness we know that we have individuality.
I appreciated the discussion of how important the role of the therapist is in the dance therapy sessions. They have to be highly cognizant of their mindfulness and presence with the client. The relationship is key, and the therapists ability to be mindful during the sessions will likely wear off onto the client as well
I also thought that her mentioning the therapist being mindful was really important. You bring up a great point about this being important to building the key relationship in a session, which can potentially be difficult when working with clients with a history of substance abuse.
I think an important aspect that Emma touched on was being present in relationships. If one is fully present in a relationship that may make the other person in the relationship to be fully present. Dance therapy is a great way to get in touch with a partner and focus on mindfulness.
I agree! The emphasis on being present in relationships is so crucial. When one person DMT is such a unique approach to this, not only promotes mindfulness but also strengthens the bond among individuals. It’s a great way to explore connection on both emotional and physical levels!
Emma Barton discusses how mindfulness can develop a healthy relationship with people who experience substance addiction. The only way to build trust within the relationship is for the dance therapist to be authentically mindful during the process so that clients won’t have a hard time consolidating mindfulness into their experience. This relates to nonverbal communication because in order for the client to be able to experience mindfulness the body movement such as yoga, dancing or even just standing still is used as a way to help introduce mindfulness and emotionally regulate. This talk also relates to nonverbal communication because as Barton mentioned, exploring movement helps clients communicate and socialize to decrease interpersonal stress. One thing that Barton mentions that would be valuable to the general community is that when it comes to helping an individual with substance abuse it is our job whether we are the friends, family, or therapist to be mindful and be the healthy mind that offers safety in the process of reflection in order for the individual to be present.
I enjoyed the awareness exercise in the beginning attempting to bring the room into a deeper awareness of the moment. I also thought it was cool to discuss the idea of all of us being one. There are so many things that divide individuals, but to call us one and truly mean it was amazing.
Emma, I loved it. Shared it on facebook and sent it to some people who need to hear it. You are a great person and healer, and I appreciate you. 11:42 is the best part. And you look great!
Bravo Emma and thank you for this wonderful talk. Your eloquence, command of the material, generous spirit and authenticity made this a powerful and moving lesson.
I love how Emma shared the power of mindfulness. It is such an important tool for dance/movement therapists to use themselves when dealing with trauma for example as well as for teaching their clients. I would have liked a little more about how she uses this in substance abuse. I understand her use of her being mindful and joining her clients. I understand the open state of curiosity and it's power in developing trust and open to exploring therapeutic themes. This in and of itself makes this talk important. It is clear that Emma practices what she talks about. I am sure her ability to be fully present in the moment with her clients is important. I just also wanted a little more detail about it's use with this particular population.
I like how mindfulness is incorporated in her dance therapy because of the important connection of the mind and body, and it is emphasized to help contribute to improved overall health.
Yes!. I also love how mindfulness is not just for your own mind and body. It also helps the mind and body of others around you. It is a shared relationship with other people!
The mind body connection is extremely valuable, and I can only imagine that the mental aspect is the hardest part of addiction. Emma explains so nicely that the strength of this connection can really help with substance abuse recovery.
I love how Emma describes a state of continual presence that one can achieve by choosing to be aware of every moment as it unfolds. The idea of something unfolding leads me to envision someone's hand reaching forward toward another's person, offering trust and compassion as a new bond emerges and a healthy relationship begins to blossom. I'm curious to hear other testimonies of individuals suffering from substance abuse who find a safe place in dance/movement therapy. I'd like to learn more about the ability of mindfulness to reconnect those recovering from substance abuse with self-control and the psychology of their own emotional regulation.
I love the imagery that you added in this comment. I did not think of it in Emma's talk, but imagining a hand reaching forward really drives home the idea that mindfulness is helping a relationship to form [through a mental outreached hand].I too have the same curiosities about other stories of how mindfulness helps people with substance addition. I definitely believe that it has the power to help them, I just want more specifics about how it does that.
While speaking on Mindfulness, Emma Barton links her work with addicts and substance abuse to the practice of yoga, and the idea of being fully aware and open to your surroundings and the people whose presence you are in. This allows for us to not only realize for ourselves, but teach others through "sharing space" and helps us monitor how our own inner processes impact external relationships. This is especially important for those in recovery who have a hard time with their own emotional stability, it allows them to pull concepts like self and environmental awareness out of a definite tumultuous time in their lives. During our course the concept that comes to my mind when thinking about the practice of mindfulness in relation to addiction is something called non-verbal immediacy. This refers to an individual's non-verbal behavior that causes another person to have a feeling of physical or psychological closeness to that individual. Emma talked about just being aware of the surroundings and being open to those around her, the people she works with feel a sense of trust and start to realize their own emotions and surroundings. A sense of trust is a huge jumping off point for those struggling with substance abuse. The most important thing I took from this video is that we can all practice mindfulness and seemingly improve the relationships around us. While an excellent candidate for addiction patients, mindfulness is a practice that can help us be open and connect with anyone around us. Good communication is key to interpersonal relationships, and being aware of even the littlest details of our surroundings and others emotions and actions could aid in us understanding each other a little more, while practicing compassion at the same time.
Emma Barton discusses how mindfulness, awareness, and being receptive are used in dance movement therapy to treat individuals that suffer from substance abuse and addiction. Body based mindfulness explores the use of movement to develop healthy and effective ways of communicating and socializing. Skills of mindfulness are vital because it allows the client to be more aware of the self and interpersonal stress is the biggest trigger for people who suffer from addiction. DMT allows the clients body to experience emotional regulators. The more mindful that the person learns to be means there will be less activation required in regions of the brain associalted with emotional processing. For the client, this means that the person is less likely to fall prey to addiction in an emotional state if they practice being mindful. In class we all took a journey into the Receptive mode. we were able to experience with all senses and we aware of everything in the environment, taking everything in, and internalizing it. Emma explains that our ability and determination to go into the receptive mode affects the person we are working with. Being devoted to going into the receptive mode and being mindful helps the client do the same. Perhaps, the mirroring of concentration allows both individuals to be present deep within the moment together.
What I found most interesting about this talk is when she explained that the more mindful the individual, the less activation required in regions of the brain associated with emotional processing. She explained that in her work as a DMT she uses mindfulness to build relationships, yoga, stillness, but always using the body and the sense of awareness.
I also found her mentioning the study showing that there is less effort needed for emotional processing in mindful individuals. I think that this highlights why it is so important for both the client and the therapist to both be mindful often.
This video makes me so much more motivated in my studies of dance/movement therapy! My father struggled with substance abuse and it would be awesome to know how to help him!
Dance/movement therapy alongside with mindfulness, and substance abuse recovery intersect in a dynamic approach to healing. By integrating the principles of dance/movement therapy and mindfulness, individuals undergoing substance abuse recovery can create self-awareness both physically and emotionally. Mindfulness can help a person to emotionally regulate and the more mindfulness a person has the less susceptible they are to fall prey to negative emotional states as stated in the video. DMT allows people to freely express and process their emotions nonverbally that complements with the practice of mindfulness to create non judgmental awareness. This is a very personal connection between the dual processing and allows of the witness and client to create a community of connection and start their recovery process.
Using movement as communication and mindfulness, which helps emotional regulation and dealing with stress associated with this population. Introducing awareness and mindfulness through the body and the relationships developed during sessions.
The video highlights the use of dance/movement therapy in substance abuse recovery, emphasizing how it can help individuals develop body awareness and emotional regulation skills. The therapist explains that dance/movement therapy encourages individuals to express themselves nonverbally, as it can help them access emotions and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. This insight is highly relevant to the field of dance/movement therapy, as it showcases how nonverbal communication can be used as a powerful tool for healing. By incorporating movement and mindfulness practices, dance/movement therapists can help individuals develop a greater sense of body awareness and emotional regulation, which can be crucial for those in substance abuse recovery. Through nonverbal communication, individuals can gain insight into their emotions, behaviors, and thought patterns, leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth. Overall, the TH-cam video underscores the importance of nonverbal communication in dance/movement therapy and its effectiveness in supporting individuals in substance abuse recovery. By emphasizing the role of body awareness and nonverbal expression, the video highlights how dance/movement therapy can help individuals access their emotions and promote healing in a unique and powerful way.
A client just needs a therapist who can be fully present and make authentic mind and body responses to them. It is so important for therapist to practice mindfulness. People have to stop seeing those in substance addiction recovery as drug addicts, they are just people. They deserve to have genuine relationships with others and be treated like anyone on earth. This talk is a really good reminder. Thank you Emma for sharing.
So interesting that the therapist must be authentically mindful in order for the client to be too. There is so much connection in that relationship.
I enjoyed her talk about how the therapist must first be present in the moment in order for the client to be present. We often don't realize how big of an impact those around us have on our mood and state of being. By being mindful herself, Emma is giving more comfort to her clients and allowing them to be present and feel their emotions fully.
I love that she made the point that mindfulness must be in the patient, but also the therapist. Having the therapist in a mindful state strengthens and deepens the patient's/client's mindfulness ability. Then, over time, through this deepened mindful state, change can occur.
I also love her point that mindfulness is really important for both parties in order to help the patent really achieve their goals.
I really liked the example of trying mindfulness with people with substance abuse how she made people aware of their surroundings and bodies which is what she uses in therapy sessions.
I enjoyed Barton walking the crowd, and us listeners behind the screen, through being fully present/mindfulness. It takes the abstract thoughts and theories related to DMT and brings them to a personal level as the audience can engage with them (and feel them physically/physical effects too)
The idea of employing mindfulness in relationships and maintaining individuality without ignoring the other person is very inspiring. I will definitely try it out!
I love the adage and every connection she brings from one story to one concept then to the reality. This video touched me a lot.
This concept of "interpersonal neurobiology" is fascinating. It makes sense that intrapersonal dialogue shifts based on one's interpersonal relationships. But the key is for these relationships to offer safety, which Emma beautifully explains in this talk.
I appreciate how Emma states how challenging it can be to create a healthy relationship with someone who is a substance user. Many of them have a history of having very few relationships, and the few relationships they have had have been unhealthy. The only relationship that has been a constant in their lives is the one with their drug. It can be incredibly challenging for a person with a history of substance use, not even taking into consideration their history of trauma, to trust others. This trust takes time to develop, and it cannot be rushed. It is this trust that Emma reminds us is essential in establishing the ability for someone to learn to understand their own body. If a client does not have this trust, they will not feel safe enough to fully be in their bodies around you. Emma emphasized the point that, as the therapist, you need to be able to model being mindful for the client to become mindful. This is something I feel not everyone recognizes, but it makes so much sense. Just like with emotional regulation or self-soothing, if you cannot do that, then neither will your client. This is especially important for a population that has used substances as a way to completely disconnect not only with their environment, but with their bodies as well. Clients have told me they used to completely disconnect from everything, especially themselves. In one session, the clients stated how it can be overwhelming to feel their feelings and feel their bodies, as it is so foreign to them. As DMTs, we need to be able to recognize this and acknowledge our own privilege of being able to understand our emotions and be embodied. I enjoyed how Emma cited various scientific articles and studies within her talk. She discussed interpersonal neurobiology, the way the brain grows and how it is influenced by personal relationships. She mentioned how interpersonal stress can be a big trigger, which leads to lots of emotional reactivity, highlighting the fact that poor emotional regulation is major part of addiction. The way to decrease this reactivity is through the use of mindfulness practices. It is through this introspection and self-awareness that one can become fully aware of their emotional experiences and become embodied.
I really appreciate this comment. It is so important to note that a lot of constants in substance abuser's lives come from their substance and not a lot of other external relationships. It is also so cool to see how mindfulness helps those on recovery
It's so interesting to see therapy combined with mindfulness and how effective it really can be. As simple as grounding yourself and breathing can help focus your mind and free it from distractions that may come up in a session.
The introduction of being fully present was really easy and fun to follow along with. Interesting talk!
A healthy mind and body do take a lot of conscious effort which Emma has been able to demonstrate effortlessly. Very nice concept. Those who wish to practice what Emma teaches here should be aware that results may seem slow at first and only become noticeable after a while, which is while you must never give up. A workbook like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Worksheets for Substance Abuse by Portia Cruise can be a very handy companion to track your progress, stay motivated and avoid relapse.
I totally agree with Emma that mindfulness is not a technique, it is a way of "being" in our relationship. The combination of mindfulness practice and a DMT approach harmonized with our internal self, our body movement and inner experience. And I love the idea of bringing mindfulness into the therapeutic relationship when working with people who struggles with substance abuse, and drawing components in DMT as a vehicle to experience, explore, be aware, and be present.
I enjoyed how Emma walked through the entire process of embodiment. I think it would have been awesome to be in the audience for this and to listen to her speak on it. I also think she did a great job tying substance abuse into her beginning mindfulness activity.
I really appreciated how she mentioned the importance of a therapist themselves being mindful and present during a session to allow the person they are working with to also be mindful. This can be crucial to creating a trusting relationship between the two individuals.
I really liked learning about what mindfulness is in this video. The therapist describes it as the process of wondering and being curious about each moment as it unfolds. Mindfulness can be helpful for people on the road to recovery who abuse substances. Movement can provide healthier ways for these patients to communicate because it is difficult for them to communicate in any other way.
This is so important, DMT gives them a space in life where they can communicate where in other ways it might be really difficult for them. It was really cool to hear her stories on her effectiveness with addiction recovery
I am so intrigued by the concept of mindfulness from the inside-out as described in this talk. To be able to hold the inner-self witness, and ask the questions with the client of their embodied experience is a skill that I admire. When we are able to be fully present for ourselves we can also be present for the client in a way that is unique to DMT.
I appreciate how Emma Barton brings the practice of mindfulness to light and how she has to maintain her own mindfulness in order to set an example and connection between her patients. She testifies that being mindful can change the way people approach their life, relationships, and addictions. When one is able to focus their mindfulness and energy through their awareness of their bodies and minds, they are able to improve on these addictions.
I think it is so helpful to really define mindfulness and what it means. Her description is super powerful when it comes to substance abuse and addiction because often times they struggle with other relationships of their own and having a nonverbal bond can really be life changing.
I agree that it is helpful to explain what mindfulness really means because I know I wouldn't of been able to easily give an accurate description of the term before watching this talk. Mindfulness is something I value and try to practice, but it is also important to understand its meaning and importance in application.
I definitely agree! Mindfulness can be so helpful for developing relationships with others.
Emma Barton explains to us just how essential mindfulness is in not only being self aware, but in helping to form external relationships with those around us. She informs us how mindfulness during sessions with an addict or even if you are a family member or friend of an addict, that mindfulness can help to create a trusting environment that aids in the recovery for addicts. This relates directly to our nonverbal communication course because (1) we actually did a mindfulness exercise very early on in the semester, (2) it reminded me of the video about Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke and how we often ignore the right half of our brain (the right side allows us to feel a greater sense of connectivity to the world around us through touch, feelings, sounds, etc.), and (3) how essential the feeling of trust and safety are in any relationships. I think the greatest thing to pull from Emma Barton's speech is how necessary mindfulness is to obtain not only inner peace, but to create deeper relationships with those around us. She shows how we need to be present in order for others to be present in our relationships.
Emma begins her talk with a gentle, inviting, and engaging experiential that truly embodies the connective, nonjudgmental essence of mindfulness. It served as a beautiful introduction to the topic at hand, namely, how mindfulness serves the body-mind connection to help individuals recover from substance addiction. Emma carefully and captivatingly, with her centered presence and tone of voice, describes mindfulness as a state of being, of “curiosity and wonder”, utilizing and sharing her extensive experience and training in yoga and mindfulness as foundation for her expertise. To be informed that both mindfulness and substance addiction are relational entities really transformed my understanding of the phenomena and stimulated a fresher, more humanized perception of individuals whose “primary relationship is the drug itself”. I appreciated
Emma connecting mindfulness to the body and movement as sources of information as well as stressing the important responsibility the therapist has to also be mindful in the relationship of self and other. The knowledge and wisdom Emma presented in her talk prioritizes the relationship as a catalyst for healing, within and outside the therapeutic context. I am curious for more specifics on the neuroscience beyond mindfulness and the body-mind approach to relational healing for substance addiction. Thank you Emma for sharing and enlightening!
I wish Emma talked more about how she uses substance abuse because she really only gave the one story. I am left without knowing how mindfulness helps that. However, I did take away form this talk the power of mindfulness. I also liked how she said that the mind is a product of relationships with others. And that is so true because others help foster an environment for the mind to grow and develop. So, now I will think of mindfulness as less of an individualistic idea and more of a community idea.
That's a good point, and I think it is something that Emma really wanted people to take away from her talk. I always viewed mindfulness as more of an individual practice than a community approach. There seems to be more power in mindfulness when it is encouraged by others.
That is a really good point, I did not really consider how important it is to really see deeper into more examples to understand how mindfulness really helps her patients.
I found it insightful how mindfulness is portrayed not just as a skill, but as a fundamental way of being in a relationship with ourselves and others. The emphasis on the therapist's mindfulness is particularly important, as it fosters a trusting dynamic that enhances the therapeutic process. Additionally, incorporating movement as a form of communication can significantly aid emotional regulation and stress management. Lastly, the focus on environmental awareness resonates; being attuned to our surroundings encourages authentic movement and deepens our self-awareness in the moment.
I really appreciated this video and I can see these ideas being applied with many other suffering groups.
I especially appreciate the break down of what is mindfulness. Often times people (including myself) believe that mindfulness is meditation and have trouble with the practice. Being someone who has tried it, I still find it very difficult to meditate and know that it takes a lot of practice. Now knowing that mindfulness is the awareness of thoughts, feelings etc, helps put it more into perspective. I believe that it was important to mention how practices like mindfulness helps one to emotionally regulate. Also, I enjoyed your statement on how one can use the body as a source of information/experience. Overall, I enjoyed the talk on mindfulness.
A quote that stood out to me in this talk from the speaker’s client was that dance/movement therapy had brought them a sense, “the establishment of trust is at the core of my being, able to listen to the wisdom of my body.” I really appreciated this, especially with context of thinking about substance use very often being a means of numbing feeling. If you are able to feel safe to do so then trusting and listening to your body is an amazing way to figure out what it is you need, both body and mind.
I really appreciate the perspective that this presenter brings into the world of DMT. At least in the USA, the emphasis on the individual versus the collective has had negative impacts on peoples ability to relate to one another empathetically and feel connected. I think that bringing the perspective of true mindfulness where we are fully present with the moment and with each other is going to help a lot of people heal from isolation. Thank you for sharing your experiences in India with your guru.
Thank you for pointing out the collective aspect of this talk. I was focusing on how mindfulness can connect us to ourselves and our bodies, but I appreciate you highlighting how it can bring us more fully present with others.
I really enjoyed how Emma Barton started the talk with a mindfulness experience. I enjoyed how she brought up scientific studies and how that relates to mindfulness and Dance Movement Therapy. I like how she explains how she uses mindfulness to help create the relationship with her clients. I think her training is very interesting learning yoga therapy by siting an observing. Through yoga therapy she learned to be a healer. This enlightenment is directly related to dance movement therapy. I love the quote "all is one." This was a beautiful talk.
I knew mindfulness played a role in anxiety therapy but I didn't realize it could be so powerful in substance abuse therapy as well. I find it intriguing how Emma can share a connection with her clients. I learned a lot from this video
I like how she mentions that the simple experience of vision can be internalized and be explored. Sometimes I feel that people often forget to "smell the roses" and become aware of the experiences around them. When people are aware, they are able to reflect and be mindful and change their "experience of life", to use their natural stimulants versus unnatural stimulants like substances.
There is so much great info in this talk. One idea that stuck out with me was the idea of taming the mind and the concept she described as interpersonal neurobiology by Dr. Siegal. The mindfulness and interpersonal connection developed between the therapist and participant can potentially increase the benefits and expression of movement.
I agree! I think that mindfulnesses and movement can go together very well, and each benefits the other
I appreciate the concept of "being one" within the therapeutic relationship. In DMT, the therapeutic relationship is so emphasized, but there is often a lingering imbalance of power, or rather, an awareness of a power dynamic. By practicing mindfulness and by applying the concepts of interpersonal neurobiology and yogic teachings, perhaps DMTs can shift that dynamic to a more reciprocal and symbiotic state with their clients. Thank you for your talk.
I really appreciate the exploration of the clinician's state of being and how it impacts interactions with a client. I feel like this takes the concept of "creating the space" to a deeper level. It beautifully builds upon other dimensions of the therapeutic alliance like the emotional container or the physical space that is shared. It makes me think of the connection and interaction of energies that takes place in therapy. This lens has certainly shifted the way I think about sitting with others. Many thanks to Emma for this lovely presentation!
I thoroughly appreciated the focus on relationships in this talk. First identifying the individual in relationship with their (past) drug, the therapist’s awareness of herself in the presence of the client, and finally in the unfolding therapeutic relationship - wherein the client and therapist work together to experience emotional regulation. This approach requires only authenticity and mindfulness, but it requires constant work for both parties involved. D/MT is unique in that it offers movement to achieve this interpersonal connection, where the client’s customary words and behaviors may not have been sufficient. As Emma relates "when we share relationship, we share a mind.
Finally, I deeply resonate with Emma’s description of the power of D/MT as an individual who practices other movement modalities: “Without D/MT’s focus on the uniqueness of embodied and non-verbal relationships, I’m not sure I could reflect on my experiences the same way.” Dance may be in the title, but D/MT need not require dance or dancers to be therapists.
Rather, as Emma explained, D/MT gives structure and language and direction to therapist who hopes to incorporate nonverbal communication in their work, so long as they "offer safety in the process of reflection."
I really appreciate how Emma shared the power of mindfulness through the lens of dance/movement therapy, which is not only meditation practice, but it is also the increase of self-awareness, being able to mindfully witness our own thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the present moment. I love that she also emphasized scientific explanation of how neurobiology processes and respond effectively to emotional regulation of oneself, further, others and environments. This is really profoundly insightful knowledge for me as a future therapist to understand how important and powerful to increase self-awareness is, in order to hold the “safe-space” and create “trust” in a therapeutic relationship mindfully. For particular individuals with substance abuse, I really appreciate the process that it is not about teaching or guiding them to be able to control their emotions, desires, and needs, but as a therapist, being authentically mindful can be a safe space within oneself that will create and support human connection and positive energy within a relationship with clients and environments genuinely as well. As Emma shared the concept of “one mind” in a relationship, this makes me see and understand the core concept of an embodiment of dance/movement therapy more manifestly.
I truly enjoyed Emma's invitation into the "environment." Her invitation reminded me to wonder about truly belonging and how this can only happen when one is aware of being authentically oneself. Also, this talk reminded me to be connected to the shared experience of the other. Her many years of training and experience in the field, helped to inspire me about the power of the somatic process. As a therapist-in-training, I am beginning to wonder about how to establish therapeutic relationships that prioritize a joined process of healing. To me it seems that a therapist can be a container for emotions, sensation and feelings to unfold for the self, as well as for the other.
I love how she emphasized the importance of observing your environment. I feel that this can help us with authentic movement because we can feel more encouraged to be aware of our surroundings and how we are feeling in that moment.
Agree! Mindfulness is about cultivating a deeper relationship with ourselves. It invites us to pause and truly listen to our thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice helps us become more aware of our needs, fosters self-compassion, and encourages us to engage with our inner experiences.
It's amazing how you explained mindfulness as a "state of being rather than technique". It made me realize how I don't notice a lot about myself and my surroundings on a daily basis as much as I should be. I will definitely have to start practicing mindfulness a lot more because I really did enjoy the activity in the beginning!
I just started learning about mindfulness last year in a class and it really is amazing how much we don't notice about ourselves without being present.
I think the phrase "state of being rather than technique" also helps mindfulness seem more sustainable. When people hear about mindfulness I feel that they think it takes years of work and practice. Although it is continued mindfulness practice is important, I think it's also important to understand that mindfulness can be obtained by anyone.
I enjoyed the initial approach to mindfulness through the different senses--from a body-level first, and then by incorporating cognitive thinking about my experience in the present moment. I also appreciated Emma's prioritization of socialization and relationship in treatment while still incorporating the body-mind. For example, she spoke about emotion regulation through the body, and how this can be achieved in relationship.
Furthermore, the importance of a therapist's self-awareness and presence is paramount in considering how she affects and relates to the client. A therapist's mindfulness goes deeper than simply modeling, in that it creates a stronger connection with the client. As Emma noted, it "teaches simply by sharing space." This talk has helped me further understand presence as a mindfulness in relationship: in connection between people there is the mind of each individual and the mind of the shared experience. Ultimately, I was left with a new understanding of Gandhi's words, which is profoundly appreciated. Thank you for sharing, Emma!
Dance Therapy - It is very cool to me that mindfulness can play a role in both anxiety and substance abuse therapy. Emma did a great job creating a good message in this video.
I enjoyed the invitation to “the environment” that Emma began with, as it relates to how we connect with others, while still being our true selves. Emma discusses the importance of mindfulness in relation to the sensory experience, connecting her work with addicts, yoga therapy and dance/movement therapy. Emma asks the audience, “is your mind here or is it anticipating?” and then goes on to explain that that is mindfulness, and reminds us to “be curious” about each moment as it unfolds.
Furthermore, she explains how mindfulness plays a large role in the creation of relationships. Emma discusses the importance of the therapist being mindful in order to create the stronger relationship with the client. This talk has allowed me to understand the importance of mindfulness, not just in my personal day-to-day life, but as a therapist, as a client, and as a human being. I found that coming to a close with Gandhi’s words created a deep and meaningful connection to how mindfulness relates to the work that is done in the field. Thank you for your contributions, Emma!
I love how Emma begins with a sensory experience to reel in the audience. Her ability to so accurately identify interpersonal stress as the biggest issue in those with addiction and translate that into interventions that address it is precisely what DMT aims to do. Her focus on relationship and incorporating mindfulness as a way of connecting with another rather than just a technique is truly revolutionary. This type of therapeutic relationship can serve as a model for clients to incorporate into their personal lives and strengthen their interpersonal effectiveness on a larger scale.
I found Emma's talk on mindfulness and substance abuse recovery very intriguing and applicable to the work I currently do with adults in recovery from eating disorders. I too have found that focusing on the senses is an incredible way into the body. I found her description of the dynamics involved in building therapeutic relationship with a person in the addiction cycle to be quite poignant and also applicable to the challenges I’ve found in building connection with eating disorder clients. Parallel to an addictive substance, my client’s primary relationship is with their eating disorder, which as Emma eloquently articulated, adds an additional obstacle in therapy. I am interested in seeing how my own cultivation of mindfulness while with clients could, as you suggest, support a co-regulation and attunement experience. I am grateful for that invitation. At one point in her talk she described “the chance to be present and curious as a way of being rather than an intervention”. I love that perspective, and am also curious how this would not be considered an intervention. Should it not be?
I enjoyed hearing about Emma's understanding of mindfulness. I have personally come to understand mindfulness through my relationship with, and noticing of my breath. I appreciated Emma's integration of simple acts of noticing sounds, visual information and sensation. I feel these directives help mindfulness to be more accessible for those who struggle with "noticing the breath" alone. I also appreciated the invitation to be "curious as a way of being", and also the suggestion to "include the body as a source of information.”
As I listened to the significance of every mind in the room, I thought of how every mind counts. What if we thought of this in the same way we think of every vote counting? That one person's presence can directly affect the presence of another. Emma highlights the power and responsibility one has to being "the healthy mind" in the room. I think mindfulness has a gentle way of empowering people, and Emma embodies this with her delivery. As a witness, I felt grounded in feeling her presence, and trusting her awareness of balancing self and other. Emma opened my eyes to the interdisciplinary knowledge that can inform how we treat substance abuse, and the simple interventions that can be implemented in treatment.
I enjoyed the part about a therapist being fully present to make a session and person be able to feel present. I agree with this and think it's important for all therapists dance therapy or others to be present with a person and make them feel they are comfortable and can be vulnerable.
Thanks Emma for a great presentation! The discussion around relationship stood out to me in this presentation and shifted my own therapeutic perspective. I had not fully considered the relational dynamics at play in substance abuse and can see how this could be applicable to a number of maladaptive coping mechanisms. Reframing these behaviors as relationships provides an avenue for using the therapeutic relationship to shift relational patterns and I definitely see how mindfulness and the introduction of this practice within the relationship can help begin shifting these patterns.
I love how Emma focused on how important mindfulness is in both parties in the therapy relationship. This mindfulness in the therapist really can help clients achieve the change that are striving for.
I also agree that mindfulness is so important; I started regularly practicing mindfulness alongside my first group therapy session. Mindfulness itself holds great power, and I can only imagine its power with therapy.
I enjoyed here about how mindfulness is more of a way of being in a relationship and within yourself rather than just a skill to learn.
I was drawn to this video because the topic was substance addiction and my father has been struggling with alcoholism for a few years now and i'm always curious on how I can help with the situation as it becomes very difficult to communicate with him every time he relapses. Through this video I can understand that it is not all about the verbal aspect of communication but also through the nonverbal communication and how me being deeply present in the moment with him can encourage my father to also be present which will allow him to become more mindful to help him cope with his interpersonal stress and triggers. Through nonverbal communication i can allow him to feel comfortable and secure, I know that my words don't get very far with him but now i am hoping that with these simple awareness tactics it will help him understand how to change his mechanism from looking to alcohol to coping in better ways. It is fascinating that just becoming more aware of your surroundings and witnessing these nonverbal cues from individuals and your environment can become a type of coping mechanism to help the brain handle your interpersonal stress.
The talk influenced me personally by showing me a inner experience on noticing myself and body in space. I have close connections to someone who struggled and lost to their substance abuse. In watching this video and noticing my emerging identity as a DMT, I wonder how I could have changed the outcome of the person lost to the substance abuse. Was there a way to help them through that struggling part of their life? Mindfulness was not brought forth to me until graduate school and so since this seems was not incorporated into my environment at a young age would the addicted individual have this resource in their environment and would it have made a difference when practiced earlier on.
I was impacted by the talk professionally as it showed me how this kind of experiential can be conducted in person and how to guide groups through that process. Mindfulness after experiencing it, brings up questions on how the practice of self can be improved over time. In substance abuse the individual may be deep into their addiction or beginning that exploration. So it is not intervention but more about being… so then do these individuals not connect with holding space with their being? Would European mindfulness be very different than others such as Asia based mindfulness? Incorporating this kind of intervention may be difficult with some client cultural views or beliefs. How is this all-encompassing for the cultural aspects of being with self? As professional is this intervention appropriate to include in all sessions? I see this practice being very important to my emerging identity as a professional and want to show how well this practice is with clientele.
Q/comment/suggestions- I liked how the presenter started off with a sensory experiential. It incorporates the theory into practice by having the audience try on the experiential. What if the end of the talk had revisited the experiential or ended with an open-ended question at the end?
The concept of mindfulness is something I find intriguing, so I enjoyed Emma's talk on it. Her introduction was an awesome way to get people thinking, and I felt instant peace from this short intro of mindfulness practice. This helped me to further understand why mindfulness is a very valuable tool for those struggling with addiction.
I love the idea of mindfulness and I think it has so many benefits. I love practicing new types of mindfulness and found her intro engaging. I think mindfulness is a very valuable tool in DMT
Therapists have to show mindfulness during the session to allow clients to be mindful as well. People in recovery have a lot of triggers, but interpersonal stress seems to be the biggest trigger and without being mindful they won't be able to understand or express the stress they are holding inside their body. I enjoyed that she explained how clients respond to how the therapist shows their feelings, and if they don't, the nonverbal communication through movement won't be as strong with the client.
What a great resource on dance/movement therapy!
I truly appreciated your insight regarding the therapeutic relationship. I am in agreement with you about the need to prioritize that relationship. Making connections with others a top concern is a philosophy I have tried to live by in my personal life and plan to carry over into my professional career. We must be mindful and self-aware as individuals in order to be present within the relationship and to make it possible for our clients to even have a relationship with us. It is important not to underestimate how essential our sense of presence can be to how present each client is. Thank you for pointing out that being fully present is a “choice” and totally present tense experience. Thinking of being present as being immersed in all of your senses in order to be in-tune with your mind is an extremely helpful description for me and a new lens to view this concept through. Thinking of it in this manner creates a whole new way to experience being present in a way that “non-movers” might better understand. Your characterization of mindfulness as wondering and being curious about moments as they unfold was clear and simple. I will include this in my explanation to clients in the future. It is interesting that you found that the more mindful an individual is, the more they have the capacity for emotional regulation. Your findings on how being the “healthy”, present mind in a therapeutic relationship with clients recovering from substance abuse creates a safer space for them to become more mindful, therefore improving their emotional regulation skills. It makes me presume that having more present and mindful social and familial relationships in the lives of individuals in recovery from substance abuse would make this emotional regulation more constant in their lives.
I really appreciated Emma’s focus on the importance of Mindfulness in Emotional Regulation. Moreover, Emma mentioned scientific studies regarding the physical science of neurobiology to emphasize on the effectiveness of Mindfulness in regulating our emotions. This ties well with the substance abuse recovery because many a times, the clients with substance abuse develop a dependency on an external substance to feel safe especially when their emotions are too overwhelming and the recovery is about helping them to regulate their emotions without the use of substances. I also loved how Emma considers the body as a “source of information/experiences” and I feel that the art of mindful noticing can allow to draw healing from the body’s wisdom. Emma offers a different lens on Mindfulness by emphasizing that it is not just a practice of meditation but it is having awareness of the simple sensations within our bodies and our environment. It was really insightful for me to understand that the energy that we, as therapists, bring into our relationship with our clients, in turn influences the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Emma’s point of being authentically mindful in our role as therapists, reminds me of one of the core conditions of Roger’s person centered therapy - Congruence/Genuineness, which entails that there needs to be an authentic awareness of our real selves in order to become our ideal selves. This was a great learning statement for me to understand why it is essential for me as a future therapist, to be aware of my own emotions, feelings and body sensations in the present moment. I absolutely loved the idea of sharing “one mind” when we enter into a relationship. I would like to explore this idea more. I also appreciated Emma drawing resemblances between the Eastern philosophy of the Guru-Disciple relationship and the western perspective of therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist. This made me go back to my own cultural roots and remember one of my learnings based on the Guru-Shishya relationship philosophy “the disciple eventually masters the knowledge that the Guru genuinely embodies” which made me understand the importance of being the change, that I would like to see within my clients. It was a very insightful talk and I learned new perspectives from it!
Beautiful ❤️🙏
After this talk, it's easy to see how being really mindful can help those who are abusing substances stray away and focus on something else than what they are dependent on. Emma's focus on the relationship can be seen to help others because she is giving them an easy way to communicate their thoughts and feelings about their abuse. In this way, she is allowing for easier transfer of information and a smoother recovery.
I really enjoyed her explanation of her work across cultures and the importance of presence in relationships. Additionally, I appreciated how she described how her work in yoga therapy influenced the way she approached DMT
So much great info in this talk! I appreciate the connection that was made between ancient yoga practices and dance/movement therapy. The parallel between the student-teacher relationship and therapist-client relationship is more similar than I initially thought. The idea of being present and mindful as a way to help those around you do the same is such a powerful idea. Building authentic relationships with those recovering from substance abuse and/or addiction can be challenging. There were some great considerations mentioned throughout this talk. Becoming aware of my own inner processes in order to build trusting relationships with others is something I personally believe in.
I liked how Emma connected dance/movement therapy, mindfulness and yoga into her talk. The concept of mindfulness is gaining popularity recently and I think it was great that she was able to describe what it is and how it works so clearly. One of he main points that stuck with me was how when clients dealing with substance abuse are working through treatment, the techniques that they are taught work much better if they can stay mindful through their session. The awareness that is gained through mindfulness is something that I think many people could benefit from in their everyday lives
It was very interesting learning about the importance of mindfulness and how strong it is in the recovery of substance abuse and in therapeutic relationships. It is important to be present and mindful in all relationships and that should be reciprocated to create a healthy relationship.
I enjoyed hearing about the creation of a relationship though being mindful with your own body and what someone else's abilities in a relationship can affect your mindfulness.
I really enjoyed the connection explored between dance/movement therapy, yoga (and yoga therapy) as well as the physical science of neurobiology mentioned throughout the talk. I believe that people often misperceive the value of DMT with the individuals suffering with substance abuse. This talk connected the physical sciences with the more of the emotional and spiritual sides of mindfulness. I particularly enjoyed the end of the talk when the dance/movement therapist wondered if individuals with these issues were given more of an opportunity to explore their own selves as a way of recovering, and if that would be beneficial and productive.
Wow, so many deep concepts packed into this talk, especially regarding one's relationship with their body and their mind and their relationship with another person. I appreciated Emma's points about the power of mindfulness in a relationship between two people, the effect of simply creating that mindful space. It was also fascinating to hear about her varied career, with time spent in India developing a relationship with a guru and all she learned from that. And of course the Gandhi prayer at the very end was just so beautiful.
I love how Emma Barton describes yoga and mindfulness's role in Dance Movement Therapy for people with substance abuse. Her framework of a shared mind when in a relationship makes me think of how my mindset (whether it's positive, negative, sensitive) affects people I'm close to. It also makes me relate on how toxic relationships and people can actually transfer negativity to the people they are surrounded with. That being said, even removing someone with substance abuse from people around them that also share similar substance abuse problems could be beneficial as well as having a therapist with a healing mind being there in support for the client. This talk was really well done, very interesting, and gave me a lot of food for thought. Thank you.
I agree!
Emma Barton uses mindfulness as a way to create a relationship with individuals who are in the process of recovering from substance abuse. She discusses that by bringing mindfulness into the therapy, it helps create healthier ways to communicate and it develops trust within the patient. It creates a teaching experience by the simple act of sharing space with the client and allowing them the chance to be present and curious as a being. I believe this relates to Nonverbal Communication because it allows the individual who is trying to recover from substance abuse to develop ways to communicate their feelings through movement. It also allows the individual to feel understood through their communication and to see that their feelings are being received through their movement. I think that the speaker makes a good point in saying that we need to be mindful when working or interacting with someone who is battling with substance abuse because the person is in a relationship with the drug itself and in the process of recovering we need to allow them to create healthy relationships with us as well because it will help regulate emotions and therefore can help decrease the addiction.
I love the idea of tying yoga practice into dance/movement therapy. The ideas of being present in the moment and being mindful are very central to a lot of work in dance therapy. The authenticity in the relationship between the therapist and the client is very important, and I think Emma's use of mindfulness to create and strengthen this relationship is incredibly powerful.
I agree. I feel like Emma compiles many ideas from substance abuse, mindfulness, and dance movement therapy, but talks about them in a way where they all influence each other and make sense together.
I really loved this talk. I think that mindfulness and a connection to the environment as well as to our own bodies can immensely help someone to reconnect to their body after that damage. Again, this is another holistic approach to treating a disease of the mind and body. It integrates the whole person into the healing.
I had no idea that mindfulness had such a large part in substance abuse recovery. After listening to this talk it makes sense but I would have never guessed that it played such an essential role.
I agree, I wasn't aware of the strength mindfulness has on our body and behaviors. Very interesting and informative talk.
I love to see when people bring their expertise and training from other fields to influence DMT and bring new perspective that could help others. Therapy can work variably depending on the person so bringing a new technique to the field, especially when working in a population such as those recovering from substance abuse is so important to finding what each person needs
I enjoyed hearing about how one's inner peace can carry over to others
I did too. It makes so much sense from lived experience that maintaining a calm presence (usually) de-escalates the other person involved. How she talked about being in the space together as sharing a mind was really interesting.
Emma Barton brings together the idea and state of mindfulness as a wonderful tool in helping those with substance abuse and addiction.
1) She explains what mindfulness is and how it is our ability to recognize that we are all connected to one another while also retaining our individuality and with this we can become aware of our inner processes and how they impact our external relationships. She ultimately emphasizes that our mind is a product of our relationship with each other and that as we enter into this we share a mind, and this mind relies on trust that in an addiction setting means that people interacting with those struggling can be responsible for being the person/mind of safety in the process of reflection and teaching by sharing space.
2) When Barton mentioned the fact that mindfulness was a state of recognizing that we were all connected, and yet we could retain as our own unique being it reminded me of what we learned from Jill Bolte Taylor’s TedX video and how she felt connected on an energy level as she went back and forth between the right and left brain functions of reality in her stroke. This talk, just like the other two videos, further cemented what we have learned so much in class, the idea that we all seek trust and understanding from others and people battling addiction are no different. Our relations with one another are so crucial to our well-being in good and bad times, and that we must always treat each interaction with mindfulness and the awareness that comes with it that we must share a safe space with the other in order to keep our feelings of trust.
3) I think the most important thing from this video to take and share with others is that we must all be present in our communication and presence with others, offering a safe space of trust. A relationship is such a beautiful thing and if we can stay in the moment and give it our full attention we can let others know that they are safe and that they have someone whom they can trust.
I really liked that Emma started her talk with a mindfulness exercise that encouraged the audience to become attuned to the present moment. Her discussion of the combination of Dance/Movement Therapy, yoga, and yoga therapy practices, particularly in the context of treatment for those suffering from substance abuse, is one that I think a lot of people could relate to as methods for more mindful living are becoming ever more sought after.
I agree with this! The use of an exercise right away can almost deepen your understanding of what the therapist is going to be talking about. Very helpful! The use of yoga is very simple and can be used my many people struggling with addiction. There are many good options for people to utilize on the road to recovery.
Emma Barton explains how she merged her knowledge of dance movement therapy and yoga in order to form of healing for people with addiction problems. She uses mindfulness as a way for people to move their minds into the here and now and try to understand the psychosomatic information people's bodies are sending. She uses mindfulness in order to establish a person-to-person relationship with people who had a strong person-to-drug relationship. She explains how she doesn't teach her patients mindfulness rather, she displays mindfulness and through a form of what I understood as mirroring, her patients are able to become mindful. Mindfulness is a person's ability to connect with their body and understand how each part of their body is feeling. I found it interesting that she quoted a study that determined when a person is more mindful, a person has better impulse control which is extremely important for recovering addicts. Addicts are more likely to act on their feelings impulsively which causes them to relapse. By having her patients become mindful, she is increasing their ability to control their impulses and remain sober. I think if rehabs adopted mindfulness into their healing regimen, maybe they would see an increase in amount of people who stay clean.
I found the information on the relationship between mindfulness and emotional stress very interesting. This simple fact shows how important it is for individuals to be aware of themselves and practice mindful activities in order to prevent things like substance abuse. The state of "being" can be overlooked in many situations, when in reality it is one of the most important, healthy things you can do with your time. Also, I feel as though the connection to yoga was a conscious decision on Emma's part due to its growing popularity in the United States and the positive connotation that follows it. Overall this was a great talk that speaks highly of DMT and how it can be especially helpful with individuals who struggle with being present in the moment, which is a key feature for individuals who struggle with substance abuse.
Emma Barton talks about the importance of mindfulness with ourselves and our relationships with others. She believes that in order to help people who are suffering from substance abuse we first have to be mindful and be the mind they can find trustworthy and safe so we can help them with their way of being.
In class we are always talking about the interpersonal communication and Emma Barton emphasizes this importance with mindfulness in our relationships with people by letting them know we are giving them our message but also receiving theirs.
The most important thing in this video was through mindfulness we know that everyone is interconnected making all of us one but also through mindfulness we know that we have individuality.
I appreciated the discussion of how important the role of the therapist is in the dance therapy sessions. They have to be highly cognizant of their mindfulness and presence with the client. The relationship is key, and the therapists ability to be mindful during the sessions will likely wear off onto the client as well
I also thought that her mentioning the therapist being mindful was really important. You bring up a great point about this being important to building the key relationship in a session, which can potentially be difficult when working with clients with a history of substance abuse.
I think an important aspect that Emma touched on was being present in relationships. If one is fully present in a relationship that may make the other person in the relationship to be fully present. Dance therapy is a great way to get in touch with a partner and focus on mindfulness.
I agree, I think that the constant connection and collaboration with each other through nonverbal communication leads to that presence
I agree! The emphasis on being present in relationships is so crucial. When one person DMT is such a unique approach to this, not only promotes mindfulness but also strengthens the bond among individuals. It’s a great way to explore connection on both emotional and physical levels!
Emma Barton discusses how mindfulness can develop a healthy relationship with people who experience substance addiction. The only way to build trust within the relationship is for the dance therapist to be authentically mindful during the process so that clients won’t have a hard time consolidating mindfulness into their experience. This relates to nonverbal communication because in order for the client to be able to experience mindfulness the body movement such as yoga, dancing or even just standing still is used as a way to help introduce mindfulness and emotionally regulate. This talk also relates to nonverbal communication because as Barton mentioned, exploring movement helps clients communicate and socialize to decrease interpersonal stress. One thing that Barton mentions that would be valuable to the general community is that when it comes to helping an individual with substance abuse it is our job whether we are the friends, family, or therapist to be mindful and be the healthy mind that offers safety in the process of reflection in order for the individual to be present.
I enjoyed the awareness exercise in the beginning attempting to bring the room into a deeper awareness of the moment. I also thought it was cool to discuss the idea of all of us being one. There are so many things that divide individuals, but to call us one and truly mean it was amazing.
It definitely shifted my thinking about group therapy sessions and their usefulness.
Emma, I loved it. Shared it on facebook and sent it to some people who need to hear it. You are a great person and healer, and I appreciate you. 11:42 is the best part. And you look great!
Bravo Emma and thank you for this wonderful talk. Your eloquence, command of the material, generous spirit and authenticity made this a powerful and moving lesson.
I love how Emma shared the power of mindfulness. It is such an important tool for dance/movement therapists to use themselves when dealing with trauma for example as well as for teaching their clients. I would have liked a little more about how she uses this in substance abuse. I understand her use of her being mindful and joining her clients. I understand the open state of curiosity and it's power in developing trust and open to exploring therapeutic themes. This in and of itself makes this talk important. It is clear that Emma practices what she talks about. I am sure her ability to be fully present in the moment with her clients is important. I just also wanted a little more detail about it's use with this particular population.
I agree, I would like to know about her experiences with the specific obstacles in recovery
I like how mindfulness is incorporated in her dance therapy because of the important connection of the mind and body, and it is emphasized to help contribute to improved overall health.
Yes!. I also love how mindfulness is not just for your own mind and body. It also helps the mind and body of others around you. It is a shared relationship with other people!
The mind body connection is extremely valuable, and I can only imagine that the mental aspect is the hardest part of addiction. Emma explains so nicely that the strength of this connection can really help with substance abuse recovery.
I love how Emma describes a state of continual presence that one can achieve by choosing to be aware of every moment as it unfolds. The idea of something unfolding leads me to envision someone's hand reaching forward toward another's person, offering trust and compassion as a new bond emerges and a healthy relationship begins to blossom. I'm curious to hear other testimonies of individuals suffering from substance abuse who find a safe place in dance/movement therapy. I'd like to learn more about the ability of mindfulness to reconnect those recovering from substance abuse with self-control and the psychology of their own emotional regulation.
I love the imagery that you added in this comment. I did not think of it in Emma's talk, but imagining a hand reaching forward really drives home the idea that mindfulness is helping a relationship to form [through a mental outreached hand].I too have the same curiosities about other stories of how mindfulness helps people with substance addition. I definitely believe that it has the power to help them, I just want more specifics about how it does that.
While speaking on Mindfulness, Emma Barton links her work with addicts and substance abuse to the practice of yoga, and the idea of being fully aware and open to your surroundings and the people whose presence you are in. This allows for us to not only realize for ourselves, but teach others through "sharing space" and helps us monitor how our own inner processes impact external relationships. This is especially important for those in recovery who have a hard time with their own emotional stability, it allows them to pull concepts like self and environmental awareness out of a definite tumultuous time in their lives.
During our course the concept that comes to my mind when thinking about the practice of mindfulness in relation to addiction is something called non-verbal immediacy. This refers to an individual's non-verbal behavior that causes another person to have a feeling of physical or psychological closeness to that individual. Emma talked about just being aware of the surroundings and being open to those around her, the people she works with feel a sense of trust and start to realize their own emotions and surroundings. A sense of trust is a huge jumping off point for those struggling with substance abuse.
The most important thing I took from this video is that we can all practice mindfulness and seemingly improve the relationships around us. While an excellent candidate for addiction patients, mindfulness is a practice that can help us be open and connect with anyone around us. Good communication is key to interpersonal relationships, and being aware of even the littlest details of our surroundings and others emotions and actions could aid in us understanding each other a little more, while practicing compassion at the same time.
Wonderfully said, brilliant work! I want more!!
Emma Barton discusses how mindfulness, awareness, and being receptive are used in dance movement therapy to treat individuals that suffer from substance abuse and addiction. Body based
mindfulness explores the use of movement to develop healthy and effective ways
of communicating and socializing. Skills of mindfulness are vital because it
allows the client to be more aware of the self and interpersonal stress is the
biggest trigger for people who suffer from addiction. DMT allows the clients
body to experience emotional regulators. The more mindful that the person
learns to be means there will be less activation required in regions of the brain
associalted with emotional processing. For the client, this means that the
person is less likely to fall prey to addiction in an emotional state if they
practice being mindful. In class we all took a journey into the Receptive mode.
we were able to experience with all senses and we aware of everything in the
environment, taking everything in, and internalizing it. Emma explains that our
ability and determination to go into the receptive mode affects the person we
are working with. Being devoted to going into the receptive mode and being
mindful helps the client do the same. Perhaps, the mirroring of concentration
allows both individuals to be present deep within the moment together.
I love the end with the Ghandi quote! I didn't know that mindfulness made such an impact on everyone and especially in therapy. Great talk!
Thank you Alissa. I am so glad that you enjoyed the video.
What I found most interesting about this talk is when she explained that the more mindful the individual, the less activation required in regions of the brain associated with emotional processing. She explained that in her work as a DMT she uses mindfulness to build relationships, yoga, stillness, but always using the body and the sense of awareness.
I also found her mentioning the study showing that there is less effort needed for emotional processing in mindful individuals. I think that this highlights why it is so important for both the client and the therapist to both be mindful often.
This video makes me so much more motivated in my studies of dance/movement therapy! My father struggled with substance abuse and it would be awesome to know how to help him!
I feel deeply moved by this speech. Thank you
I like it too
Fantastic vids! Keep killing it!!
Dance/movement therapy alongside with mindfulness, and substance abuse recovery intersect in a dynamic approach to healing. By integrating the principles of dance/movement therapy and mindfulness, individuals undergoing substance abuse recovery can create self-awareness both physically and emotionally. Mindfulness can help a person to emotionally regulate and the more mindfulness a person has the less susceptible they are to fall prey to negative emotional states as stated in the video. DMT allows people to freely express and process their emotions nonverbally that complements with the practice of mindfulness to create non judgmental awareness. This is a very personal connection between the dual processing and allows of the witness and client to create a community of connection and start their recovery process.
Using movement as communication and mindfulness, which helps emotional regulation and dealing with stress associated with this population. Introducing awareness and mindfulness through the body and the relationships developed during sessions.
The video highlights the use of dance/movement therapy in substance abuse recovery, emphasizing how it can help individuals develop body awareness and emotional regulation skills. The therapist explains that dance/movement therapy encourages individuals to express themselves nonverbally, as it can help them access emotions and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
This insight is highly relevant to the field of dance/movement therapy, as it showcases how nonverbal communication can be used as a powerful tool for healing. By incorporating movement and mindfulness practices, dance/movement therapists can help individuals develop a greater sense of body awareness and emotional regulation, which can be crucial for those in substance abuse recovery. Through nonverbal communication, individuals can gain insight into their emotions, behaviors, and thought patterns, leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
Overall, the TH-cam video underscores the importance of nonverbal communication in dance/movement therapy and its effectiveness in supporting individuals in substance abuse recovery. By emphasizing the role of body awareness and nonverbal expression, the video highlights how dance/movement therapy can help individuals access their emotions and promote healing in a unique and powerful way.