Epistemic Injustice, Endometriosis and Dance/ Movement Therapy: An Autoethnographic Investigation

Author

Kevana WestFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-21-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Meg H. Chang EdD, BC-DMT, LCAT

Abstract

As the field of dance/ movement therapy evolves to meet the demands of a rapidly changing social landscape, it is imperative that clinicians think critically about the degree to which our work is steeped in oppressive frameworks and ideologies. This investigation uses testimony to explore epistemic injustice as it relates to the author’s experience of living with endometriosis and the pursuit of professional licensure. Considering the limited amount of research on the condition, along with the perceived absence of literature within the field of dance/ movement therapy, further study is warranted. The experimentation phase of this research incorporated the use of social media in the process of recording daily movement improvisation and written journals. The results, analyzed through the video editing process and autoethnographic exploration, draw attention to the impact of epistemic injustice and oppression on the body. Specifically, this work seeks to illuminate the perils of implicit bias and Eurocentric standards within the field of dance/ movement therapy. As we move beyond the performative allyship of multiculturalism toward a landscape of vehement social justice, it is essential that we do more than simply name the problem, we must elevate the embodied wisdom of individuals occupying marginalized identities.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

West, Kevana, "Epistemic Injustice, Endometriosis and Dance/ Movement Therapy: An Autoethnographic Investigation" (2022). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 616.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/616