Date of Award
Spring 5-18-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Dr. Elizabeth Kellogg
Abstract
This thesis explores the mental health needs of professional ballet dancers and suggests how expressive arts therapies can be used to address issues surrounding themes of body image, injury and pain, and identity. A review of the research on ballet culture examines both the advantages and disadvantages of ballet for a dancer's overall health. By acknowledging both the negative and positive qualities of ballet, counselors may develop a deeper awareness and empathy for a population that severely overworks their body and mind. An autoethnographic approach was used to allow for personal ballet practices to influence and stimulate academic inquiry while also providing the reader with vivid examples of dancers’ lived experiences. Three expressive arts interventions were conducted using intermodal transfers to focus on each theme addressed. Findings concluded that involving professional ballet dancers in expressive arts therapy could tend to their wounds while simultaneously nurturing their passion. The intent of this thesis is to advocate for ballet dancers and provide an avenue for healing and restoration.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Borden, Madison, "The Balletic Mind: Expressive Arts Therapy for Professional Ballet Dancers: A Literature Review and Autoethnography" (2024). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 839.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/839
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