Tomoyo Kawano, PhD

Antioch University
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I am passionate about exploring and integrating dance and other creative arts’ dynamic processes to engage with clients and enhance students’ embodied learning. My clinical experience includes working with acute inpatient psychiatric adults, suicidal teenagers, teenage sex offenders, victims of domestic/partner violence, and immigrant children of refugees. My primary research interest, reflected in my presentations and publications, is in dance epistemology and its explication with research methodology, ritual and ceremony, and the diversity and inclusion curricula.

Dance Epistemology: My interest in dance as a form of knowing stems from my impulse to communicate through dance. To better understand the potential for deeper knowledge discovery through the body and dancing, for my doctoral work at Lesley University, I developed a systematized embodied-artistic approach for qualitative data analysis (for which I was awarded the research fellowship). I extend the idea that dance and other forms of nonverbal arts have the capacity to communicate that which cannot be expressed in words to many areas of my life.

DMT as Social Action: For example, as an approach for interpersonal, collaborative development, DMT can be applied to community building and social action. A technique of DMT that is used in clinical assessment is listening through movement. By observing how people move, listening to the tone and quality of their voices (rather than the content), and sensing what is in the milieu or environment, dance/movement therapists attempt to make meaning in relationship with people who want to create change. By mirroring people’s movements, we show who we are and begin to make empathic connections.

I have been applying this method of improvising a dance at a Hiroshima Memorial (with non-profits Arts for Peace and Uptown Progressive Action). In the context of the memorial, the dance serves to communicate that which cannot be expressed in words. Rather than a form of entertainment, the memorial offers a communal space where people’s experiences with war, violence, and other forms of injustices can be seen, heard, and/or felt, and reflected upon. The dance is, by its nature, improvised as a response to and reflection of those voices, including mine. It changes depending on who is present and what is being offered in the moment. Instead of numbers and facts, the dance taps into the lived human experience and can have an impact on a visceral level to empower; connect to one’s heritage, culture, and community; feel witnessed; and to witness.

Within AUNE, I work collaboratively in partnership with the provost’s office, faculty, staff, and students to embed and institutionalize AUNE’s commitment to living its social justice mission.

Social Justice in DMT: The idea of dance as a form of knowing is common in the field of DMT. However, hierarchies of knowledge exist. Many groups of people have been historically excluded from participating and being represented in higher education – DMT included. Traditional ritual and ceremony practices, for example, have been marginalized and studied from a particular viewpoint that looked down on the arts, especially dance that utilizes the body.

To bring change, I am currently working on:

  • Creating a narrative of my embodied approach to teaching and learning about oppressor, oppressed, and bystander roles through a DMT lens;
  • Exploring traditional and indigenous arts-based healing practices that have existed before DMT (with DMT affiliate faculty and drama therapist Kim Burden);
  • Exploring the connection between DMT and spirituality (with Dr. Angela Grayson, Drexel University)

Examining how to provide feedback to international students and students who have been traditionally outside of the dominant student body of DMT pedagogy and training.

Tomoyo Kawano

Program Director

Dance/Movement Therapy

Associate Professor

Applied Psychology

[email protected]

  • PhD, Expressive Therapies, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
  • MA, Somatic Counseling Psychology, Naropa University, Boulder, CO
  • BA, International Relations, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan

Peer Reviewed Journals

  • Kawano, T. (2022). Commentary: Moving into an embodied aesthetic theory of care. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 80, 101946.
  • Millrod, E. & Kawano, T.（2021）. [特別講演：ダンス・セラピストの創造力の本質とその追及]. The Nature of creativity in dance/movement therapy – Keynote Address at the 30th Conference of the Japan Dance Therapy Association. Japanese Journal of Dance Therapy, 14(1), 17-23.
  • Yamada, M. & Kawano, T. (2021). Emerging wisdom through a traditional bon dance in group dance/movement therapy: A single case study of dementia. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 75, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2021.101822
  • Kawano, T. & Chang, M. (2019). Applying critical consciousness to dance/movement therapy pedagogy and the politics of the body. American Journal of Dance Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-019-09315-5
  • Kawano, T., Cruz, R. F., & Tan, X. (2018). Dance/movement therapists’ understanding and attitudes regarding LGBTQI and gender nonconforming communities. American Journal of Dance Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-018-9283-7
  • Kawano, T. (2018). Transmission of the professional identity through an embodied artistic ritual: An investigation of a dance/movement therapy welcoming ceremony. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 57, 1-10.
  • Kawano, T. (2017). Developing a dance/movement therapy approach to qualitatively analyzing interview data. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 56, 61-73.
  • Kawano, T. 川野知世 (2017). [Belonging: Creating identity]. Japanese Journal of Dance Therapy, 10(1), 5-10.

Book Chapters

  • Kawano, T. (2023). A dance/movement therapy approach to research design. In M. Henley & R. Candelario, (Eds.) Dance Research: Methodology and Design. (In production.)
  • Kawano, T. & Chang, M. (2022). Applying critical consciousness to dance/movement therapy pedagogy and the politics of the body. In L. Downey, & S. Kierr, (Eds.), Social Justice in Dance/Movement Therapy: Practice, Research and Education (pp. 97-118). Switzerland: Springer.
  • Tantia, J.F., & Kawano, T. (2018). Moving the data: Embodied approaches for data collection and analysis in dance/movement therapy research. In R.F. Cruz, & C.F. Berrol, (Eds.), Dance/ Movement Therapists in Action: A Working Guide to Research Options. (3rd ed.) Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

Book Reviews

  • Kawano, T. (2021). Book Review [Review of the book Deinstitutionalizing Art of the Nomadic Museum: Practicing and Theorizing Critical Art Therapy With Adolescents, by Eva Marxen]. Body, Movement, and Dance in Psychotherapy. 10.1080/17432979.2021.1891135
  • Kawano, T. & Stewart, C. (2022). Book Review [Review of the book Dance/Movement Therapy for Trauma Survivors: Theoretical, clinical, cultural perspectives, edited by Rebekka Dieterich-Hartwell and Anne Margrethe Melsom]. American Journal of Dance Therapy. (Forthcoming.)

Conference Proceedings

  • Kawano, T., LeFeber, M., & Blanc, V., (2022, October). Renewing Connections and Recalibrating Embodiment in Hybrid DMT Pedagogy and Supervision. Albany, NY: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Kawano, T., Allen, W., Blanc, V., Devereaux, C., Hubbs, V., Millrod, E., & Risher, E. (2021, October). Developments in Dance/Movement Therapy Education: Overview and Narratives of Educators. Albany, NY: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Young, J. , Chang, M., Grayson, A., Kawano, T., & Allen, W. (2019, October). Critical Perspectives of DMT: Activism and Application. Columbia, MD: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Kawano, T., Chang, M., & Soor, J. (2018, October). The Embodiment of Non-Binary Racial Experiences of Dance/Movement Therapists: Reflections of Three Generations. Columbia, MD: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Kawano, T. & Thomas, T. (2017). Examining Power, Privilege, and Oppression in Dance/Movement Therapy Practice. 52nd Annual Conference Proceedings. Columbia, MD: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Tantia, J. F., Kawano, T., & Cruz, R.F. (2017). Embodied Research Methods for Dance/Movement Therapists. 52nd Annual Conference Proceedings. Columbia, MD: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Kawano, T. (2016). Dance/Movement Therapy as an Embodied-Artistic Approach to Analyzing Qualitative Interview Data. 51st Annual Conference Proceedings. Columbia, MD: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Kawano, T. (2013). Building Connections through a Hiroshima Memorial. 48th Annual Conference Proceedings. Columbia, MD: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Kawano, T. (2011). Dance/Movement Therapy as Radical Approach to Community Building. 46th Annual Conference Proceedings. Columbia, MD: American Dance Therapy Association.

Refereed Conference Presentations

  • Millrod, E., & Kawano, T. (2020, October). Biculturalism in Dance/Movement Therapy: Insights from the Embodied Cultural Narratives of Japanese-American Educators. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. (changed to virtual)
  • Chang, M., Kawano, T., Lo, C., Bui, M., Wan Lok Chan, M., & Chong, F. (2020, October). Diversity within the ‘A’s: COVID-19, Stereotypes, and Asian and Asian American Dance/Movement Therapy Practices. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. (changed to virtual)
  • Allen, W. Chang, M. Grayson, A., Kawano, T., & Young, J. (2019, October). Critical Perspectives of DMT: Activism and Application. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, Miami, FL.
  • Kawano, T., Chang, M., & Soor, J. (2018, October). The Embodiment of Non-Binary Racial Experiences of Dance/Movement Therapists: Reflections of Three Generations. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Terrell, D. & Kawano, T. (2018, April). Ethnic and Racial Trauma in Graduate Students of Color: Voices from the Creative Arts Therapies. Defining Trauma and Resilience Conference, Antioch University New England, Keene, NH.
  • Kawano, T. (2018, March). Beyond Multiculturalism: Appraising the Roles of Oppressor and Oppressed in Dance/Movement Therapy Practice, Education, and Research. New England American Dance Therapy Association Conference, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Chang, M. & Kawano, T. (2018, March). Non-binary Notions of Race. New England American Dance Therapy Association Conference, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Kawano, T. & Thomas, T. (2017, November). Examining Power, Privilege, and Oppression in Dance/Movement Therapy Practice. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Tantia, J. F., Cruz, R.F., & Kawano, T. (2017, November). Embodied Research Methods for Dance/Movement Therapists. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Kawano, T. (2016, October). Dance/Movement Therapy as an Embodied-Artistic Approach to Qualitatively Analyzing Interviews. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, Washington, DC.
  • Kawano, T. (2016, April). Dance/Movement Therapy as an Embodied-Artistic Approach to Analyzing Qualitative Interview Data. New England American Dance Therapy Association Conference, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Kawano, T. (2013, November). Embodied Arts Therapies and Ritual as Transcultural Practices. Expressive Therapies Summit [Conference], New York, NY.
  • Kawano, T. (2013, October). Building Connections through a Hiroshima Memorial. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, Brooklyn, NY.
  • Kawano, T. (2012, November). Improvised Dance-Music as Emotional Reflections of the Participants’ Experiences of a Hiroshima Memorial. Arts in Healthcare [Conference], Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Kawano, T. (2011, October). Dance/Movement Therapy as Radical Approach to Community Building. American Dance Therapy Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Invited Conference, Panel Presentations, and Workshops

  • Kawano, T., LeFeber, M., & Blanc, V., (2022, October). Renewing Connections and Recalibrating Embodiment in Hybrid DMT Pedagogy and Supervision. Albany, NY: American Dance Therapy Association.
  • Kawano, T. (2022, May 13-14). Key Note: Destruction and Transformation: Finding Re-enchantment for the Creative Arts Therapist’s Role in Community. Institute for Therapy through the Arts Conference. Chicago, IL.
  • Allen, W., Blanc, V., Hubbs, V., Kawano, T., & Millrod, E. (2021, October 14-17). Developments in Dance/Movement Therapy Education: Overview and Narratives of Educators. American Dance Therapy Association Conference. Virtual.
  • Millrod, E. & Kawano, T. (2021, October 3). Keynote: The essence and pursuit of creativity in DMT Education. Japan Dance Therapy Association 30th Annual Conference. Virtual.
  • Juli, S. Jungels, A., Kawano, T., & Roseman, J. (2021, September 30-October 2). Panel Discussion on Dance and Mental Health. Regional Dance Development Initiative: New England Now’s Intersections Summit. Virtual.
  • Tunquist, C., & Kawano, T. (2021, September). Increasing access to the arts. Radically Rural Summit. Keene, NH.
  • Grayson, A., Kawano, T. , Klein, S., & Dandridge, Y. (2020, December). Guest panelist, Foundations of Dance/Movement Therapy. Naropa University Online.
  • Henry, A., Kawano, T., & Garza-Mourino, R. (2020, May). Zoom classroom challenges: Intensives, dance/movement, showing videos. Antioch University Online.
  • Stewart, C. & Kawano, T. (2020, March 26-27). Dance/Movement Therapy. New England Regional ACDA Conference, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT. http://www.cvent.com/events/2020-acda-new-england- conference/event-summary-94f14f268d904a90ac4c1ac7c495d468.aspx (Conference canceled due to COVID- 19)
  • Stewart, C. & Kawano, T. (2019, November). Dance/Movement Therapy Workshop. Vermont College Dance Exchange, Middlebury, VT.
  • Kawano, T. (2019, November). Introduction to Dance/Movement Therapy. Invited presentation at Keene State College, Keene, NH.
  • Kawano, T. (2019, April). Introduction to Dance/Movement Therapy. Invited presentation at Keene State College, Keene, NH.
  • Kawano, T. (2018, September). In N. Sajnani (Moderator), Decentering US/White Arts Therapies Curricula: Challenging who is authorized and why in arts therapies training, supervision, and research. Panel presentation at the Think Tank and Conference at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
  • Dunham, J. & Kawano, T., & Scully, B. (2018, June). Supporting International Writer’s Workshop (Online). Antioch University New England, Keene, NH.
  • Dunham, J., Kawano, T., & Walsh, K. (2018, April). Supporting International Writer’s Workshop. Antioch University New England, Keene, NH.
  • Tan, X., Kawano, T., Whitehead-Pleaux, A., & Vu, K. (2017, February). Beyond Power, Privilege, and Oppression: Courage for Social Justice in Clinical Settings. New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association Continuing Education Seminar, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Kawano, T. (2016, September). American Academic Norms: A Primer. International Student Orientation, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Kawano, T. (2016, May). Cross Discipline Classroom Activities that Foster Inclusion. Faculty Development Day: Fostering Cultural Responsiveness and Inclusivity in Our Classrooms, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Kawano, T. (2015, November). Addressing Non-verbal Biases in Clinical Practice and Supervision. Clinical Instructors Continuing Education Seminar, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
  • Excellence in Education Recognition Award, American Dance Therapy Association (2022)
  • Research Fellowship, Lesley University (2015)
  • Faculty Excellence Award, Dutchess Community College (2013)
  • Caught You Caring Award, Long Beach Medical Center (2007, 2008)
  • Naropa Grant, Naropa University (2002, 2003)
  • Honors Scholarship, Naropa University (2002)
  • Chair, Education Committee, American Dance Therapy Association (Oct., 2020)
  • Co-Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affinity Group, American Dance Therapy Association (2019-Present)
  • Ad hoc Reviewer, The Arts in Psychotherapy Journal, Elsevier (2019-Present); American Journal of Dance Therapy, American Dance Therapy Association (2018-Present); Jones & Bartlett Learning (2019); Journal of Training and Education in Professional Psychology, American Psychological Association (2018-Present); Frontiers Psychology – Clinical and Health Psychology (2018); Journal of Embodied Research, Open Library of Humanities (2018)
  • Editor, Critical Pedagogy in the Arts Therapies Online Journal (2018-Present)
  • Member, Multicultural and Diversity Committee, American Dance Therapy Association (2017-Present); New England Chapter of the American Dance Therapy Association (2016-present)
  • Board Member, Arts for Peace (2004-Present)
  • Newsletter Editor/Board Member, NY State Chapter of the American Dance Therapy Association (2007-2010)
  • National Certified Counselor (NCC #294343)
  • Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT#1054)
  • Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in New York State (LCAT#000263-1)

AUNE Courses

  • PY 6821 – Clinical Appraisal and Treatment Planning (online)
  • PY 6010B – Professional Orientation and Ethics (hybrid)
  • PYB 5500C – Psychopathology
  • PYB5900C – Research and Evaluation
  • PYB 6060B – Social and Cultural Diversity
  • PYG6040A – Group Work in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling

Past courses (Lesley University): Orientation to Expressive Therapies; Dance/Movement Therapy: Clinical Skills and Applications (hybrid); Supervision I (online); Dance/Movement Therapy Theory and Practice I & II; Examining Power, Privilege and Oppression in Clinical Practice; Psychopathology; Research & Evaluation (both hybrid and face-to-face); Thesis Seminar (both hybrid and face-to-face); Integrative Seminar

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