Date of Award
Spring 5-17-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Major
Expressive Therapies
First Advisor
Meg Chang, EdD, BC-DMT, LCAT
Abstract
This literature review proposes dance/movement therapy (DMT) as a trauma-informed intervention for children and adolescents who have experienced psychological, emotional, or physical trauma. The project, inspired by internship experiences with young trauma survivors, explores the ways in which trauma manifests in the body, indicating that DMT may offer effective pathways toward healing. Many children exposed to potentially traumatic events exhibit emotional dysregulation, insecure attachment patterns, and behavioral or somatic symptoms that are not easily addressed through traditional talk therapy. As a body-based expressive arts modality, DMT engages the sensory, emotional, and relational aspects of trauma by supporting nonverbal expression, self-regulation, and connection. The review investigates how core DMT principles contribute to trauma-informed care. These practices emphasize attunement, presence, and the therapeutic power of being seen—key elements in repairing the disruptions caused by early trauma. Central questions include how DMT is being used to treat trauma in youth, the criteria it must meet to be considered trauma-informed, and the potential benefits and outcomes associated with its use. The review also examines the therapist’s role as a witness, considering both the physical and mental health implications of embodied relational work with trauma survivors. By synthesizing current research and theoretical frameworks, this paper highlights the growing relevance of DMT in trauma treatment and the importance of integrating somatic and expressive approaches within child and adolescent mental health care. DMT offers a meaningful avenue for helping young people process trauma and restore a sense of agency, safety, and connection through body-based interventions.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Dennis, Jade, "To Bear Witness: Analyzing DMT as an Effective Trauma-Informed Approach for Treating Youth & Adolescents: A Critical Review of the Literature" (2025). Expressive Therapies Theses. 77.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_therapies_theses/77
