2410 research outputs found
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The Balletic Mind: Expressive Arts Therapy for Professional Ballet Dancers: A Literature Review and Autoethnography
Get PDFThis 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\u27s 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
Utilizing Flow Arts Movement as an Expressive Arts Therapy Tool to Treat Trauma: A Literature Review and Autoethnography
Get PDFThis expressive arts-based autoethnography research explores the effectiveness of using flow arts movement as a tool of expressive arts therapy to treat symptoms of trauma for individuals who experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime. While research on the use of flow arts movement to treat mental illness is in its early stage, much can be drawn from the literature on expressive arts therapy and dance/movement therapy research with a range of populations addressing trauma. Through exploration of trauma through neuroscience, mind, body, and integrated mindfulness through flow, this work aims to bring an understanding of using intermodal expressive arts to work with trauma. Guided by the evidence in the literature, I participated in a self-study to investigate the viability of flow arts as a treatment tool, engaging in six–weeks of expressive arts therapy sessions with a focus on flow arts as movement with flow props hula hoop and orbit. The results of this self-study were an array of trauma-related themes depicted through art and movement that explored both mind and body while surfacing an array of emotions, increased embodiment, and promoted connection to self and the world around, which could be applied in future fieldwork for individual or group therapy spaces for those struggling with symptoms of trauma
Seniors Social Dance for a Sense of Belonging: Decreasing Loneliness through Community Connection
Get PDFThis community engagement project explored the benefits of partner dance for elderly individuals in combating loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging. Drawing on existing literature in dance/movement therapy and community building, this project aimed to observe the impact of partner dance sessions for the elderly population by implementing an evidence-based dance workshop at a local senior center. Participants between 65 and 85 years old engaged in three weekly partner dance sessions that featured instruction of various dance styles from ballroom, Latin dance, and fusion dance and concluded with an open structured social dancing workshop. Researcher observations, combined with assistant and participant input, suggested that partner dance offered significant benefits while also promoting social connections and a sense of camaraderie among participants. Additionally, participants reported enhanced emotional well-being, which presented as a greater sense of belonging within their community. Overall, this project highlighted the potential of partner dance as a holistic intervention for addressing the loneliness epidemic by uplifting the social and health needs of elderly individuals, emphasizing the importance of community-based programs’ promotion of healthy aging and overall well-being
The Preservation of Ancient Wisdom in DMT: A Literature Review
Get PDFAbstract
Dance has a long and evocative history within humanity. This literature review explores the integration and impact dance has within religious and spiritual practices and how dance movement therapy can support these practices within a therapeutic model. Dance profoundly affects individuals during their healing journey and has impacted them through transcendental experiences. The review covers important topics regarding the therapeutic alliance and cultural humility, dance and the history of religion and spiritual practices, and the complications and benefits of religion and spirituality within a clinical therapeutic process. The intention is to explore how dance, religion, and spirituality can work to support individuals in the healing process. The author hopes to bring more insight into the relevancy of religion and spirituality in mental health counseling and dance movement psychotherapy.
Keywords: religion, spirituality, dance, dance/movement therapy, therap
Dyadic Expressive Arts Therapy for Parent-Child Attunement in Children’s Attachment-Based Trauma Treatment: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis literature review explores current research about the use of expressive therapy methods in parent-child dyadic treatment, with a focus on attachment-based healing for children’s trauma treatment. I aim to answer the following question: how can expressive arts therapy be used to enhance nonverbal communication, foster attunement, and deepen connection between parent and child as an integral part of a child’s attachment-based trauma treatment? Children have an inherent need for an intimate emotional bond with a primary caregiver during the first few years of life and this early attachment relationship sets a foundation for mental, emotional, and physical health throughout the lifespan. Therapy for children who have experienced attachment-based trauma is centered on building supportive, safe relationships with an attuned adult; this often takes the form of dyadic therapy in which the therapist works with the child and parent to strengthen their relationship. Quantitative, qualitative, and art-based studies about dyadic art therapy, music therapy, and dance/movement therapy approaches were reviewed in-depth. The results demonstrated many positive impacts of dyadic expressive therapy for improving mental wellbeing and developing more attuned connections between parents and children, though most of the studies discussed did not specifically focus on traumatized children. Recommendations are made for further empirical research about multimodal dyadic expressive arts therapy, dyadic expressive therapies for attachment trauma, and longer-term studies
The Role of the Wounded Healer in Expressive Art Therapy: A Literature Review
Get PDFExperiencing traumatic events can have a profound impact on individuals, ranging from mild distress to severe symptoms. Trauma is prevalent, and there are numerous studies on potential treatments. However, it is surprising that there is a lack of research on how therapists\u27 own trauma background affects their work with clients and the therapeutic relationship. This literature review examines the intersection of trauma, therapy, and the concept of the wounded healer, particularly within the context of expressive art therapy. This study discusses how expressive art therapists\u27 personal experiences with trauma can influence their therapeutic approaches. It examines the potential benefits and challenges associated with being a wounded healer. and whether expressive art therapy reinforces the wounded healer dynamic. Through a literature review, the author explores the complexities and consequences of being a wounded healer and how this archetype relates to the outcome of treating trauma. The author discusses how expressive art therapists can navigate the gap between their history and their clients\u27 experiences while also exploring how the therapist\u27s wounds can be valuable in clinical practice
The Neuroscience of Mindfulness Based Art Therapy: A Literature Review
Get PDFArt therapy and neuroscience are two fields which are currently growing and expanding with the development of new technology which allows for therapists and scientists to advance their understanding of how the brain and the body respond to the world around us. The interaction between the brain, body, and environment is complex, and for the sake of clarity for this thesis this interaction will be conceptualized through the lens of the body-mind model, polyvagal theory, neuroaesthetics, the flow state, mindfulness, sensory engagement, and art as therapy. Neuroscience in relation to psychology can be used to develop a deeper understanding of how therapeutic directives can engage the mind and body. Art therapy can serve as an outlet for participants to engage with their experiences and environment, in a non-threatening approach. Specific attention is paid to Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) in this literature review. The review of extant literature showed some promise in MBAT to facilitate meaningful changes in a therapeutic space. MBAT directives can be categorized into three different approaches: (1) engaging in a mindfulness oriented task, then creating art or vice versa; (2) engaging in art task that has mindfulness properties such as activities that involve repetitive actions; and (3) engaging in arts based activities that stimulate the brain bilaterally or creating art while using devices to stimulate the brain bilaterally. Through the interaction between neuroscience and art therapy, both fields can strive to further inform and advance each other
In Kinship with the World: Developing a Novel Instrument to Assess Human-Nature Relational Values
Get PDFIn the nascent field of human-nature relational values, there is a growing body of literature suggesting their transformative potential in sustainability education. The ability to analytically distinguish relational values from other valuations can both inform pedagogical approaches and help to identify how people understand and value their relationships with the living and more-than-living biospheric inhabitants. To address this need, an overarching question was posited: Can a relational values-specific assessment instrument be designed and validated for use in post-secondary sustainability education? Through a survey of the literature, thematic analysis of validated human-nature connection instruments, and multi-method qualitative research, a pilot instrument was developed and administered to sustainability professionals and post-secondary college students in the US and Canada. Statistical analysis and Cronbach’s alpha confirmed construct validity and internal reliability, and the pilot instrument was further refined based on analysis of cognitive interviews and focus group data. The revised Human-Nature Relational Values (HNRV) assessment instrument, ready for additional validation, is appropriate for any adult English-speaking population to determine how and to what degree respondents experience relationality with nature
A Critical Inquiry Exploring the Relationship Between Critical Consciousness and Community Engagement Educators
Get PDFCommunity engagement programs are shaped by the educators who facilitate them. Due to a curtailed critical consciousness, such programs are not always sensitive to the negative implications for the communities they are attempting to support. Guided by critical ethnographic and interpretive phenomenological analysis, this study examines how educators perceive their relationship with critical consciousness, its impact on their community engagement initiatives, and what we can learn from educators using community engagement to work towards social justice issues. As expected, results from the participants revealed varying awareness and understanding of how structural power and institutional oppression impact community engagement initiatives. Some participants\u27 experiences acknowledged the tensions between civic-mindedness and a sophisticated awareness of their role in a dominant power position. Nevertheless, educators with an awareness of systemic power did not always align their actions with these perspectives.Embedded within the socio-cultural and political hegemony, educators described how they navigate the competing interests of the school\u27s administration, the community partners, and the students. These findings suggest that improving dialogue among educators, students, administrators, and community partners about the implications of structural power within community engagement work can decrease harm to the community. In doing so, educators can work towards developing their critical consciousness and the practices needed to continue moving toward community engagement education that prioritizes redistribution of power and amplifying the voices of community partners
Finding Our Way Back into the Body Through Somatic Movement: A Journey Through the Meanings and Challenges of Mindfulness
Get PDFMindful-movement practices such as walking meditation, yoga, tai chi, and qi gong can support the cultivation and deepening of a sustained and embodied mindfulness practice. Because of their intrinsic gentleness, these practices are inherently trauma-sensitive, and can facilitate a gradual healing and re-integration of the body-mind through developing body-awareness. Mindfulness of the body is the first foundation of mindfulness practice. However, because of widespread misunderstandings around the meaning and definition of mindfulness, the bodyfullness in mindfulness practice is not always recognized and/or practiced. Furthermore, since bodily experience is seldom within one’s control, and because the body often times carries unresolved trauma, sustaining a focused and open attention within the body can evoke distress, which, even though it is a normal part and process of the practice, can be challenging to allow mindfully. This creative project, through the sharing of the science and benefits of body-awareness and embodied mindfulness, via my lived-transformational-experience of mindful-movement practices, invites the viewer to consider the value of embodied living through cultivation of body-awareness and embodied mindfulness; it encourages them to recognize the simplicity and profundity of mindful movement practices as a pathway to support healing, deep well-being, and transformation.
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