2410 research outputs found
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The Body, Mind, and Trauma: A Case for Trauma-Sensitive Somatic Mindfulness
Get PDFThis thesis comprises a rationale paper and a creative project advocating for an integrated approach to mindfulness for trauma survivors that prioritizes trauma sensitivity and body-oriented somatic practices. It is important because trauma is a pervasive social issue with profound psychophysiological impacts on survivors, and current mindfulness offerings often fail to adequately address their needs, causing confusion or possibly re-traumatization. The literature indicates somatic and mindfulness-based interventions show promise for trauma recovery; however, research is limited. The findings reveal gaps between trauma-informed care and mindfulness-based approaches due to inconsistent application of trauma-sensitive techniques, a disconnect between somatic and mindfulness-based approaches to trauma recovery, and accessibility and safety concerns for trauma survivors attempting mindfulness. Opportunities include standardizing trauma-sensitive mindfulness implementations, integrating somatic-focused approaches into mindfulness interventions, and developing an accessible resource to empower trauma survivors to engage safely with mindfulness. The creative project, “The Trauma Survivors’ Guide to Mindfulness,” addresses the last of these challenges by explaining the role of mindfulness in trauma recovery, identifying trauma-sensitive mindfulness practices, and providing tools to adapt the practices to the needs of trauma survivors, helping them make informed decisions about how to approach mindfulness
Nourishing Movement: The Role of Food in a Dance/Movement Therapist’s Practice: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis literature review is an inquiry into the role of food in dance/movement therapy (DMT). It aims to deepen the understanding of how essential nutritional requirements, nourishment, and an individual\u27s relationship with food can integrate into the practice of a dance/movement therapist. The review explores the impact of nutrition on physical energy and brain function, underscoring its significance. It also examines factors influencing food choices and delves into the historical relationship between dancers and food and DMT\u27s connection with eating disorders. Ultimately, the review proposes practical methods for DMT practitioners to integrate this knowledge into their work by introducing a new framework, emphasizing nutrition\u27s role, and using a person-centered approach in supporting the mind-body connection in therapeutic movement
Dance/Movement Therapy in the Treatment of Emotional Dysregulation in Children with Emotional, Social, and Behavioral Challenges: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis literature review examines the topic of emotional regulation as it relates to children with emotional, cognitive and behavioral impairments and the effectiveness of current treatment modalities. In this paper emotional regulation is conceptualized as the ability to modulate the intensity and/or duration of emotional responses. Emotional regulation is explored for both its intrinsic and extrinsic features and how they interact with treatment outcomes. Current psychotherapeutic and dance/ movement therapy interventions aimed at improving emotional awareness, expression, and regulation coping skills are discussed. Group interventions are investigated for their unique contributions to the development of emotional regulation skills. The importance and efficacy of school-based programs as a proactive action against the negative long term impacts on continuous emotional dysregulation is brought into consideration. Directions for future research and the need for the development of a framework for a dance/ movement therapy program that uses group interventions for emotional regulation with children with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems in schools are discussed
Ethnic Name-Changing Among Mandarin-Speaking Music Therapists in the United States and Its Influence on Their Identity: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis capstone thesis uses available literature to explore the ethnic name-changing and its impact on the identity of Mandarin-speaking music therapists in the United States. Eight themes are explored in this literature review: (1) the distinction of Mandarin Chinese; (2) the relationship between names and selves; (3) Chinese naming practices; (4) the practice of name-changing among Mandarin speakers in the United States; (5) the reasons behind Mandarin speakers adopting English names; (6) cross-cultural adaptation; (7) cultural adaptation of foreign music therapists in the United States; and (8) the significance of music therapist\u27s identity exploration. This literature review highlights the importance of self-awareness of identity and cultural adaptation for Mandarin-speaking music therapists in the United States. It also emphasizes the need for further research on this under-explored topic. By shedding light on the ethnic name-changing practice among Mandarin-speaking music therapists in the United States, this thesis aims to contribute to multiculturalism and advocate for diverse voices and perspectives in the field of music therapy
Embodied Parenting, Attentive Movement and the Kestenberg Movement Profile for Improving Physical, Emotional and Mental Health Domains for Postpartum Parents: A Literature Review
Get PDFResearch has shown that dance/movement therapy (DMT) can improve the physical, mental, and emotional health of parents and DMT continues to be researched for parents going through postpartum. Postpartum is a phase of pregnancy that can affect the well-being of both birthing and non-birthing parents. DMT studies such as Kestenberg Movement Profiles (KMP), Embodied Parenting, and Attentive Movement offer techniques that can be used in all phases of the pregnancy. Phases include perinatal, delivery, postpartum, and family work. The review of dance/movement therapy literature and the impact it has on parents going through postpartum is just the beginning of some of the healing parents and families will gain through the experience
Revitalizing Learning Environments: The Impact of Incorporating Movement Breaks in Classroom Curriculum
Get PDFThis thesis examines the benefits of integrating movement breaks within high school classrooms to enhance student engagement, focus, and overall well-being. The aim is to highlight the negative effects that a traditional classroom structure can have when looking at the evolving needs of the high school population. Drawing on personal experiences, observations, and existing research, this study highlights the disconnect between traditional teaching methods and the developmental needs of today\u27s students. Using comparisons from previous teaching methods to the standards of an academic class today, the study identifies movement breaks as a useful tool to address issues such as student disengagement, attendance, and academic performance. By providing short bursts of physical activity throughout the day, movement breaks offer opportunities for students to reset their brains, improve their attention span, and enhance cognitive function. In addition, the use of social and emotional learning principles create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment that can lead to reduced test anxiety and promote academic success. Drawing on successful models from existing literature, this study proposes a framework for implementing movement breaks within high school classrooms. Ultimately, this thesis advocates for the integration of movement breaks into the high school curriculum to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environments. By recognizing the importance of holistic student development and addressing diverse learner needs, educators can better support student success and well-being in the modern educational space
Breaking the Stigma of Dance/Movement Therapy and Eating Disorders: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis thesis explores the idea of how dance/movement therapy can be a beneficial treatment modality to help individuals with an eating disorder. Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a body-based approach that involves movement and dance. It is also a psychotherapy that is focused on the mind-body connection. The main question for this thesis is how does DMT benefit individuals with eating disorders and body-image challenges? This question is important to me because after graduating from Lesley I want to start to work with this population and bring DMT into the work that I do specifically with this population. Throughout this thesis the eating disorders that will have a main focus on anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED)
Connecting to Self and Others Through Authentic Movement and Music: A Community Engagement Project
Get PDFAuthentic Movement is a therapeutic practice often utilized in the field of dance/movement therapy. Inspired by Carl Jung’s Active Imagination, Authentic Movement consists of a person dancing, the “mover,” and a person watching the dancer, the “witness.” Research has shown that practicing Authentic Movement is beneficial for individuals as it helps with emotional regulation and a sense of well-being, among other things. This thesis explores the effects of Authentic Movement in a community workshop with the incorporation of a device, called PlantWave, that translates body biorhythms into music. Traditionally, Authentic Movement is practiced in complete silence aside from sounds that may arise from the mover. For this workshop, the practice of Authentic Movement was adapted to include music created by the witnesses\u27 own bodies. This was added to explore the effect of the witness being witnessed by the movers in an auditory way and allowed them to witness their own bodies. In essence, the witness was simultaneously witnessing the movers and being witnessed by the movers, though in a different capacity. Participants gathered at a community space in a small Colorado town over two days to engage in a group experience of Authentic Movement. At the end of the workshops, participants described synchronicities in their movements and thought patterns, a sense of emotional regulation, and a strong sense of community. The results of this experience suggest that practicing Authentic Movement that includes music made from the body can enhance the sense of self and relation to others, offering healing to individuals and their greater communities
Monologue Writing and Psychodramatic Techniques with Adolescents Experiencing Suicidality
Get PDFThe United States continues to face an ongoing youth mental health epidemic among children and adolescents, coinciding with an increase of suicidal behaviors among this developmental age group. Accessibility to culturally competent mental health support, addressing social barriers, and an increase in research to identify and respond to youth mental health needs are among recommendations provided by the Surgeon General. Currently, there is limited clarity on standards and best practices for treating suicidality across mental health sectors. As such, it’s necessary to explore additional means of support for adolescents experiencing suicidality within the individual therapy model. Thwarted belonging and sense of burdensomeness are considered two vital facets of suicidality. Additionally, many existing methods for supporting adolescents experiencing suicidality focus on individualistic concepts of suicide. Within this thesis, an ecological systems informed method for the use of monologues and psychodramatic techniques as a means of cultivating a sense of belonging in individual clinical drama therapy settings is detailed and explored. Additionally, my experiences as the facilitating clinical and drama therapy intern over three sessions with an adolescent client experiencing suicidality are discussed. Overall, the method served as a therapeutic framework for identifying and exploring content of suicidal ideation and sense of belongingness. During the process, institutional education demands on adolescents experiencing suicidality surfaced as an important topic for future research
Theatrical Intimacy Direction and Drama Therapy: A Community Workshop
Get PDFWithin the last several years, the field of intimacy direction and coordination has grown exponentially, both in usage within theatre and film and within public consciousness. Contributing to this rise is an increased awareness of and consideration for the potential psychological and emotional harm of production processes on performers. Both intimacy directors and drama therapists are uniquely equipped to handle such concerns: intimacy directors, due to their their frequent engagement with sensitive and potentially activating material, and drama therapists, due to their background in and understanding of both artistic and clinical processes.This thesis presents the process and results of a workshop for drama therapists in training and intimacy professionals. The workshop explored the similarities of the professions and the ways in which practitioners in both fields can borrow and learn from each other. Findings from both the literature and the workshop revealed common philosophies within the profession, including a focus on social justice and trauma considerations, as well as shared practices such as the use of dramatic rituals and de-roling