Healing Trauma through Dance/Movement Therapy: Literature Review

Author

Shelby TurnerFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-20-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MCM - MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

E. Kellogg

Abstract

Trauma comes in many ways, from car accidents, natural disasters, physical and emotional abuse, divorce, loss, and many more. Trauma and trauma responses have been studied for years, connecting how the human brain processes trauma events and how the body responds to the brain’s information. This literature review surveys the different trauma responses through the brain, nervous system, PTSD, and dissociative responses. It highlights trauma-informed care and clinical dance/movement therapy interventions. Those interventions include mirroring techniques, empowerment-focused dance, movement work, and Movement Assessment and Treatment Manual for Trauma (MAMT), a tool to use as a guideline in treatment, mindfulness, and yoga. It is concluded that there is a positive response to the interventions, but further research is still needed.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Turner, Shelby, "Healing Trauma through Dance/Movement Therapy: Literature Review" (2023). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 720.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/720