1st Edition
Dance Movement Therapy and Psycho-social Rehabilitation The Sampoornata Model
This book looks at the psychotherapeutic effects of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) with a focus on the experiences of survivors of gender-based violence and their social development, psycho-social rehabilitation, and reintegration within society.
The author, a sociologist and dancer, uses a model she calls Sampoornata— or Fulfilment, to merge sociology and dance in order to help survivors of sexual violence overcome their trauma. Sampoornata was developed to help survivors of gender-based violence and trafficking, by focusing on their specific needs, and helping them to express themselves and overcome emotional and psychological pain. Through interviews with and detailed narratives of survivors, the book takes the readers through the development of the model, its implementation, practice, and impact on their lives. Situated within the social, cultural, as well as geographical context of India, the book is an important resource for rethinking the creative approaches, theories, and practice of DMT worldwide.
This book will be of interest to researchers and students of psychology, psychotherapy, dance and movement studies, and to those who work with dance and movement therapy. It will also be useful for professionals working in the areas of gender violence, trafficking, trauma, psycho-social rehabilitation, and well-being.
List of Figures
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1 Contextualising DMT and Psycho-social Rehabilitation
2 Journey from Practitioner to Researcher
3 Amplifying Voices: The Life Stories of Seven Survivors
4 Her-Story: Narrative and Cross-case Analysis
5 Transformation Pathways through DMT
6 Towards an Emancipatory Model: Sampoornata
7 The Path Ahead: A Push for a Strong Process and Reflexivity
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Sohini Chakraborty is an Ashoka fellow, sociologist, dance activist, dance movement therapist, and the founder-director of Kolkata Sanved. She introduced DMT as a tool for the psycho-social rehabilitation, empowerment, and reintegration of survivors by creating a pool of DMT practitioners at the grassroots. She launched the country’s first DMT academic programme with the Centre for Lifelong Learning, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai in 2012. She is one of 100 global women leaders recognised by Vital Voices, USA and her recent publications include, Dance/Movement Therapy: Renewing Purpose when Emerging from Sexual Abuse and International Human Sex Trafficking (2022), and Featured Countertrafficking Program: Kolkata Sanved’s Model Sampoornata (2019).
‘The book is an essential and timely addition to academic publications on Dance Movement Therapy. It provides in-depth insights into community engagements within the Indian context – bringing into focus individual case studies and a South Asia-specific Training of Trainers programme.’—Dr. Urmimala Sarkar, Associate Professor, School of Arts and Aesthetics, J.N.U, President World Dance Alliance-Asia Pacific
‘This book sensitively gives insight into experiencing sexual violence and trafficking, and opens the door to an effective, culturally contextualised form of treatment and transformation: the Sampoornata model of DMT. It will inspire DMTs worldwide to expand their conceptual horizon.’ —Dr. rer. medic. Marianne Eberhard-Kaechele, Dance and Expressive Arts Therapist, German Sport University, Germany
‘Kolkata Sanved is remarkable! During teaching visits, 2008-2019, I observed Sanved blossom from fledgling NGO to a profoundly impactful community resource. Sohini’s passionate commitment to psycho-social rehabilitation and the creativity of Sanved’s brilliant dance therapy practitioners inspire healing and change.’ —Bonnie Bernstein, LMFT, BC-DMT , REAT, USA
‘Sohini Chakraborty is nothing short of a pioneer. Her dedication, talent, and deep understanding of the complex trauma caused by gender-based violence and trafficking have helped countless survivors heal. This powerful book on DMT shares her message of hope and transformation.’ —Alyse Nelson, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership, USA
