A Heuristic Inquiry that Explores how a Dance Movement Psychotherapy Student perceives Cultural Identity through Movement in the Context of Therapeutic Work with a Culturally Different Female Client.

This heuristic inquiry shifted my attention from the initial question of how I perceive cultural identity through movement in the context of therapeutic work, into dealing with the unpleasant sense of inhibition as the core theme. Through acceptance and searching to release the inhibiting feeling on a somatic level, I engage with the research process by applying the six phases of heuristic analysis. The theme of inhibition surfaces as part of my personal encounter with the placement's environment. The focus is turned towards dealing with this overwhelming layer in which culture is reflected and perceived as a limiting factor. The need to transcend this limitation becomes vital in engaging with this project. The emerging themes express my struggle with the issue of inhibiting space. The environment, in which I offer dance movement therapy sessions as part of my placement experience, is not welcoming. The shift towards the peripheral layer of the felt impact of the placement setting, is a surprising move during the inquiry, it's write up and creative synthesis. I conclude on a positive note after the disappointment. I refer to how I place importance on the perception of wholeness in a person, rather than the perception of the aspect of cultural identity. In relation to my work as a future dance movement psychotherapist, I emphasise the respect of cultural values, but foremost I am interested in commonalities shared universally by human beings. My inspiration is to facilitate dance movement psychotherapy with a focus on transcultural awareness, besides the essential cultural competence which is my responsibility.msc_danunpub1518_ethesesunpu