On the organization of neurophysiologic processes and the integration of conscious and unconscious perceptions in dance/movement therapy.

This study explores the relationship between the organization of neurophysiologicprocesses and the integration of conscious and unconscious perceptions in dance/movementtherapy. The view is proposed that processes of organization and perception form a singlegestalt: change in one produces a shared change in the other. The implications of this view are discussed in terms of the capacity of dance/movement therapy to access the reciprocal nature of this relationship and effectively promote an individual's psychic and organic health.The literature examines the interrelationship of perceptual and organizational processes in terms of psychic, organic and motoric expression. Perspectives from the fields of psychology, hypnotherapy, neuroscience, and quantum physics are considered in relationship to dance/movement therapy theory.A theoretical integration of the literature emphasizes the view that the basis of allcognitive, emotional, and physical expression is the neurologic processing of patterns ofenergy. The essential role of movement in every perceptual-organizational event isunderscored. From these understandings, this thesis submits that dance/movement therapyaccesses states of healing and adaptation within the nervous system by engaging themovement potential of the individual on multiple levels and promoting the consciousrealization of the interrelationship between perceptual and organizational processes.M.A., Dance-Movement Therapy -- Drexel University, 199