Discovering how Dance/Movement Therapy and Movement-Based Therapies Aid Children Experiencing Embodied Grief

Author

Laura Remillard, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-19-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Tomoyo Kawano

Abstract

Current studies in children’s grief and bereavement suggest that creative arts therapies support children through their healing process after experiencing the loss of a loved one. However, there is not much research to support the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) or movement-based therapies with this specific population. This literature review explored children’s grief and bereavement and focused specifically on embodied grief--how and where grief is held in the physical body. Furthermore, this literature review expanded more on the use of DMT and movement-based therapies with children experiencing embodied grief, as well as expanded upon body-based approaches to help these individuals in understanding their grief. This was an important topic to explore because unfortunately, conceptualizing the grief process has typically been viewed through an adult lens. There has often been a misconception about children’s grief process, how long they should grieve for, and how it can manifest. After an extensive review of the current literature, the author discovered how DMT and movement-based therapies can assist children experiencing embodied grief as well as aid in their overall healing process.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Remillard, Laura, "Discovering how Dance/Movement Therapy and Movement-Based Therapies Aid Children Experiencing Embodied Grief" (2018). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 94.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/94