Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy

In 1983 Deborah Thomas, PhD, ADTR, DTRL founded Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy in Madison, Wisconsin and served as its executive director until 2004. Hancock Center promotes the informed and effective use of dance/movement therapy in the Midwest. Hancock Center is non-profit and is a supporting agency of the Marian Chace Foundation, the charitable branch of the American Dance Therapy Association. The American Dance Therapy Association defines dance/movement therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process that furthers the emotional and physical integration of an individual.” The Center has a staff of seven dance/movement therapists and four non-therapy staff. Along with their therapy practice, each therapist presents at workshops and conferences. All therapists have a master’s degree in dance/movement therapy from accredited programs that include the study of movement and psychology. They are all licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing.

November 2008 marks Hancock Center’s 25th anniversary. The facility is located within a converted three-story remodeled Victorian residence and includes two large movement studios, a reference library and staff offices.

Deborah Thomas: Founder

Deborah Thomas, a veteran of using dance and movement as a healing art, founded Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy. Thomas trained with Marion Chace in the early 1960’s. Chace was a pioneer in establishing dance as therapy and also in its recognition as a profession. It was through movement that Chace supported patients that “seemed out of reach” to express their hidden emotions at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington D.C., to the surprise of the hospital psychiatrists

Thomas's Career and Approach

Thomas first worked as a dance/movement therapist at Bellevue Hospital, in New York City, later teaching the discipline at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison. Most of her career has encompassed working with adults and claims that when working with the elderly a group setting is best. Her reasoning behind this can also translate to group work as a whole. “There is a benefit from the social interaction of a group. This may include singing, movement and use of props to bring group members closer together. Use of imagery helps stimulate memories and encourages laughter and conversation. Movement engages the mind and body at the same time, and this is energizing for older participants.” Although dance/movement therapy in a group setting can be effective, there are also situations in which one-on-on interaction is preferable, such as individuals suffering from eating disorders. The challenge with these patients lies in creating a positive association with movement, using it as a way of relaxation instead of in a toxic way. Thomas now provides individual dance/movement therapy to adults. She practices therapy with a Jungian approach and teaches the Alexander Technique. She is also a founding member of the American Dance Therapy Association. Thomas is a 2001 ATHENA award recipient. Those who receive this honor must demonstrate “excellence and initiative in their profession, devote time and energy to improve the lives of others in the community and assist women in reaching their full leadership potential.”

Work With Children and Families

Since the beginnings of dance/movement therapy, there has been an increase in working with children. (Washington Women: 56.) Rena Kornblum, MCAT, ADTR, DTRL and current executive director of Hancock Center, specializes in this area. She has published a curriculum specific to elementary schools called Disarming the Playground: Violence Prevention though Movement and Pro-Social Skills. The curriculum features techniques incorporating movement that are designed to equip students with proactive ways of preventing violence. Kornblum is also the coordinator of children’s outreach programming and serves on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She leads individual, group and family dance/movement therapy sessions at Hancock Center, area schools and other agencies.

Ann Wingate, MA, ADTR, DTRL coordinates the center’s on-site child and family program, also working with the In-School Therapy and Prevention program. Wingate leads individual, group and family dance/movement therapy sessions and supervises graduate interns.

Jeanine Kiss, MA, ADTR, DTRL also provides individual, group and family dance/movement therapy in the Child and Family Program. She also coordinates and provides therapy in local elementary and middle schools. Kiss is a student and practitioner of yoga, which influences her therapy practice.

Robin Lending Halsten offers individual and group therapy for children, teens and adults. Her training in Internal Family Systems Therapy and Mindfulness Meditation are incorporated into her therapy. Halsten also supervises Hancock Center interns.

Work With Adults

Grace Valentine is the coordinator of Hancock Center’s adult programming. She specializes in individual dance/movement and verbal therapy. She focuses on personal growth, socialization and relationship skills, dealing with developmental delays, emotional and physical illness, and [...] and substance abuse. Valentine also facilitates women’s groups and she has taught in and outside of the United States.

Treatment Options and Offerings

Dance/Movement therapy makes up a larger part of the therapy programming offered at Hancock Center, but health and wellness sessions and verbal forms of therapy are also available. Dance/Movement therapy is considered to be part of the mental health discipline and is a form of psychotherapy Within the health and wellness area of treatment are: self-care groups, mindfulness mediation and movement, creative dance, and the Alexander technique. Programming also includes classes and workshops co-sponsored with University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Continuing Studies-Department of Continuing Education in the Arts and the UW-Madison Department of Health and Human Issues. People who may be interested or may benefit from therapy programming offered at Hancock Center include: those interested in holistic health, survivors of trauma and abuse, children and adults on the autism spectrum or with developmental delays, people with anxiety disorders, depression and other mental health issues and women interested in empowerment groups. According to their brochure, dance/movement therapy can help clients build: positive body awareness, relationship skills, anger management skills, creativity and playfulness, awareness of mind-body connection, and communication and parenting skills. Another benefit of dance/movement therapy is that it has can support a reduction in chronic pain and increase and improve circulatory and respiratory functions.

Non-Therapy Staff

Hancock Center also employs several non-therapy staff essential to its day-to-day operations. Dori Regnier Weigel is the Associate Director of the center, Laura Rogers is its administrative associate, Stephanie Resnik holds the Development and Marketing Coordinator Position and Joe Schmitt handles building maintenance.

Hancock Center and The American Dance Therapy Association

The American Dance Therapy Association is the professional organization for practioners of dance/movement therapy. ADTA is responsible for accrediting Graduate Dance/Movement Therapy programs that meet their standards. All Hancock Center therapists are ADTR (Academy of Dance/Therapist Registered.) This is the advanced level of the registry, meaning that the individual has both the education and the experience to teach dance/movement therapy and to supervise interns. This certification also qualifies a therapist to maintain a private practice. ADTA is a National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations member association.

Hancock Center as a Non-Profit Organization

Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. The Center provides services to anyone who needs them, regardless of their ability to pay. Scholarships and a sliding fee scale are also available. Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy has its own Board of Directors.

External links

• Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy http://www.hancockcenter.net/
• American Dance Therapy Association http://www.adta.org/
• National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations http://www.nccata.org/

See also

• Marian Chace
• Dance Therapy
• Analytical Psychology
• Alexander Technique
• American Dance Therapy Association