Editors’ Note E D I T O R I A L Editors’ Note Laura Downey1 • Susan Kierr1 Published online: 13 June 2018 � American Dance Therapy Association 2018 As we continue to grow and learn in our editorial roles, the importance of our work and the impact of dance/movement therapy becomes more clearly crystalized with each manuscript received and each article moved into publication. This importance is demonstrated in the publication of conference materials and original manuscripts in this issue. Conference materials from San Antonio, Texas include abstracts from the Research and Thesis Poster Session that highlight a broad range of research and thesis work along with valued clinical practices with older adults of our international colleagues presented at the International Panel. The Marian Chace Foundation lecture offered by Dr. Robyn Flaum Cruz promotes the idea that we are all doing research as exploration is the foundation of our clinical practice. The conference Keynote Lecture about play therapy was colorfully and impressionably presented by Dennis McCarthy. Introductions to these presenters by Miriam Roskin Berger and Kalila Homann beautifully set the stage for each lecture. The impact of our work is also seen in the original manuscripts. The call to action for dance/movement therapists to become more aware of and involved in the detection and intervention of opioid use in inpatient settings and applications for AIDS-orphaned adolescents are timely and important. Theoretical explorations on the power of touch when working with survivors of sexual abuse and the development of strong theoretical frameworks for dance/move- ment therapy with couples demonstrate the intimacy of relationship in our work. Personal explorations of power using arts based research remind us that we all & Laura Downey Lmdowney@hotmail.com; Ldowney@colum.edu 1 Creative Arts Therapies, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60202, USA 123 Am J Dance Ther (2018) 40:1–3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-018-9284-6 http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s10465-018-9284-6&domain=pdf http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s10465-018-9284-6&domain=pdf https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-018-9284-6 encounter power in various ways in our professional identity and therapeutic relationships. Finally, the In Memoriam written by Jane Wilson Cathcart for our teacher, friend and colleague Linni Deihl reminds us of the inspirational impact one individual can have on so, so many others as Linni did throughout her life and long career as a dance/movement therapist. It is this impact that we are focusing on as a theme for this issue that leads us to a call for action through publication. Our call to action has foundation in The Code of Ethics and Standards (2015) of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB) in the following: 6.0 Advocacy and Promotion of Social Justice Dance/movement therapists promote social justice with a recognition that a just society contributes to individual, family, and community health. (See 2.3. Multicultural Competence) 6.0. a. Dance/movement therapists cultivate awareness of and address oppression and disparities in power and privilege, resulting in barriers to wellness, at individual, institutional, and societal levels. Dance/movement therapists advocate for equitable access to services and culturally competent care. 6.0. b. Dance/movement therapists encourage clients to advocate for their rights to appropriate, competent, and respectful treatment and, with client permission, may initiate advocacy on a particular client’s behalf. 6.0. c. Dance/movement therapists foster respect and support in personal, professional, and public arenas, for those marginalized by mental illness. (p. 15) During these times of increased awareness, dialogue and action around continued and pervasive social injustices, we need to step into our roles as advocates more than ever – advocates for our clients, for our work places, for healthcare, for systems to exist beyond oppressive practices, policies and experiences. We also need to be advocates for ourselves and our colleagues who have experienced injustice. We need to understand how we can be effective advocates including becoming more aware of our own experiences of oppression, where and how our practices may perpetuate injustice and our own understanding of what social justice means as well as how it is actualized in the field of dance/movement therapy. As the editors of the American Journal of Dance Therapy, we are convinced that scholarship and publication can contribute to the role of dance/movement therapists as advocates and leaders. We can help each other learn, grow and continue to explore the meaning of ethical principles related to justice, respect for persons and autonomy and how they are actualized in our practice through scholarship—through publication. Supported by our own ethical commitment to social justice, we are calling for an issue of the American Journal of Dance Therapy (AJDT) dedicated to social justice in the form of a Special Topics issue planned for December 2019. Further details are provided on the ADTA website at https://adta.org/american-dance-therapy-journal/. AJDT is the official publication of the ADTA and is designed to meet the needs of clinicians, researchers and educators in dance/movement therapy. Noting that many clinicians, researchers and educators are currently deeply involved in the health of 123 2 Am J Dance Ther (2018) 40:1–3 https://adta.org/american-dance-therapy-journal/ communities, the global survival of human rights, and the well being of individuals struggling to live fulfilling lives in a changing world, we wish to invite articles specifically about this work. In the meantime, we continue to feel grateful for all of the ways dance/movement therapists are impacting the world in meaningful ways—and the important ways we continue to be impacted by the work—and look forward to receiving your manuscripts. With appreciation and gratitude, Laura and Susan A further note: In the December 2017 (volume 29, issue 2) In Memoriam for Dianne Dulicai, the following was erroneously omitted and important in understanding Dianne’s professional collaborations as well as personal relationships: Dianne had a long, meaningful and mutually supportive collegial relationship with Miriam (Mimi) Roskin Berger, which included a research study and article in the The Arts In Psychotherapy in 2005 on the globalization of dance/movement therapy as well as the partnership between Dianne and Mimi in the leadership of the ADTA during a critical time in the life of the organization. Compliance with Ethical Standards Conflict of interest There is no known conflict of interest with the content or authorship of this editors’ note. Reference American Dance Therapy Association. (2015). The Code of Ethics and Standards (2015) of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB). https://adta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Code-of-the-ADTA-DMTCB-Final.pdf 123 Am J Dance Ther (2018) 40:1–3 3 https://adta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Code-of-the-ADTA-DMTCB-Final.pdf Editors’ Note Reference