Date of Award

Spring 5-22-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Dr. Meg Chang, BC-DMT

Abstract

This literature review will provide an argument for the integration of dance/movement therapy (DMT) into neuropsychological spaces for the treatment of trauma, dysregulation, and mental health challenges. Reflecting on the United States of America’s dualistic foundation of body and mind in both medical and psychological spaces, I will build an understanding of the nervous system’s bidirectionality and its implications. Neurobiological research has shown that we can gain as much understanding of ourselves from our bodies as we can from our brains; they are interconnected. The theories provided will show that the path to trauma resolution and healing must incorporate a bodily reintegration and an awareness of adaptations and trauma from intergenerational inheritance. Through the DMT practice of building interoceptive awareness and externalizing trauma we can have a tool to feel safe in our bodies and in relation to others thus giving us access to our regulating social-engagement system and a window to homeostasis.

Creative Commons License

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

Download

Share

COinS
 

Rights

The author owns the copyright to this work.