Authentic Movement

An Authentic Movement informed therapy practice involves the client expressing their internal experience through moving their body. While the client moves, the therapist supports the client by acting as a witness to their expression. The Authentic Movement process parallels traditional talk therapy with these roles. The difference is that by moving rather than speaking it is possible to bypass some of the limitations of the conscious mind. In somatic-based therapy approaches we recognize that the body does not serve the mind. Instead, information from the nervous system influences the perceptions and actions of our mind. This approach is useful in the processing of trauma, overcoming stuck narratives, feeling more comfortable with your body, and connecting with suppressed emotion. The movement is, by itself, healing. Allowing the body to move in whatever way it needs to, without the direction of language-based thought, may be something that comes naturally to the client. Being able to express oneself in this way may also require courage and experimentation. Authentic movement can be practiced in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats. In a couples session, each partner takes a turn as Mover and Witness. The Mover becomes more comfortable communicating themselves to their partner. The Witness develops their ability to attend to their partner. Both roles foster feelings of connection and help to overcome repetitive patterns that might exist in a couple’s verbal communication.