The essential role of the body in the parent-infant relationship: Nonverbal analysis of attachment

Abstract

This chapter demonstrates how nonverbal dialogue and analysis can be used as a therapeutic tool to repair the attachment relationship. This chapter presents the Ways of Seeing dance movement psychotherapy program, based on nonverbal analysis-infant mental health theory and research-through a vignette. The chapter underscores the role body-based movement experience plays in the developing attachment relationship. This method gives great attention to the specific qualitative details of each person's nonverbal style of moving as a vital form of communication and expression. This chapter presents recent research in the fields of infant mental health, development, and psychology and cognitive and affective neuroscience as it informs the Ways of Seeing method. This chapter highlights the use of dance, movement, and body experience in this clinical methodology. The author discusses a specific, dyadic, nonverbal analysis system called Dyadic, Attachment-Based, Nonverbal, Communicative Expressions (D.A.N.C.E.) as a way to observe significant qualitative elements that underlie the attachment relationship. The therapist is also able to attune to her own reactions, thoughts, and multisensory sensations as they may be affecting her interactions with the parent-baby couple through a self-observational component of D.A.N.C.E. It provides a bridge between colleagues of diverse early childhood and adult treatment fields and dance movement psychotherapy.