Date of Award
Spring 5-18-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MCM - MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Sarah Hamil
Abstract
This thesis explores the need for cultural diversity in the field of dance/movement therapy and the impact of unconscious bias as it relates to cultural rhythmic patterns, movement styles, and music choices in therapeutic practice. This literature review examines the historical context that has contributed to the field of dance/movement therapy while outlining cultural competency and ethical considerations in practice as it relates to cultural and/or race identity. Common themes are summarized notating the effects of oppression, bias, and trauma on populations of statistically marginalized communities with specific emphases on African American cultural identity. With consideration toward action steps, culturally sensitive interventions and movement observations are outlined for development toward a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable field.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Nichols, Ebony, "Moving Blind Spots: Cultural Bias in the Movement Repertoire of Dance/Movement Therapists" (2019). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 150.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/150
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Cultural History Commons, Dance Commons, Dance Movement Therapy Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Movement and Mind-Body Therapies Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
Rights
The author owns the copyright to this work.
