Trauma Effects, Empathy, and Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review

Author

Jenna Soldati, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-22-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Meg H. Chang, EdD, BC-DMT, LCAT, NCC

Abstract

Trauma exists at many levels, affecting people in various ways biologically and emotionally. Trauma and adverse experiences have been researched, suggesting effects on the whole individual including their psychological, physical, and social wellness (Cristobal, 2018; Greenberg, Baron-Cohen, Rosenberg, Fonagy, & Rentfrow, 2018; Levy, Goldstein, & Feldman, 2019; Olofsson, Iddli, Hoffart, Eielsen, & Vrabel, 2020). Similarly, empathy and empathic behaviors exist on a varying scale as well. Investigating the effects of trauma on empathy, themes of resilience emerge in survivors of trauma and provide insight into alternative healing modalities. Dance/movement therapy and other mindfulness-based treatments provide a method of trauma-informed care that accesses the body and mind of the individual. The goal of this literature review was to gain greater insight into how empathy may be affected by trauma while looking to finding effective healing methods, incorporating the body and mind, to benefit those who have had traumatic experiences.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Soldati, Jenna, "Trauma Effects, Empathy, and Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review" (2021). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 446.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/446