Date of Award

Spring 5-17-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Siyao Li

Abstract

This Master’s thesis explores the intersection of the Kestenberg Movement Profile (the KMP) and Attachment Theory to analyze and interpret relational movement within romantic partnerships through an in-depth literature review of existing qualitative, quantitative, and arts-based studies. The author subsequently executes an arts-based autoethnographic inquiry recreating various relational postures from the existing literature. The author assesses, describes, and subjectively reflects on these postures using bipolar and unipolar shape flow language from the KMP to identify various attachment behaviors and styles. Findings suggest that bipolar and unipolar shape flow can correlate with specific attachment behaviors, demonstrating that relational movement offers insight into secure and insecure attachment styles in adult partnerships. Assessing bipolar and unipolar shape flow movements in clinical practice provides a method for clinicians to glean valuable information about couples’ dynamics without having to inquire verbally. This integrative approach to gathering client information enriches clinicians’ ability to holistically hold each client with care. This theoretical fusion invites future development of a standardized movement-based coding system for attachment styles and calls for expanded research across diverse populations. Ultimately, the integration of KMP and Attachment Theory amplifies DMT’s visibility in psychotherapeutic contexts and contributes to a more sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of romantic intimacy and relational health.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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