Dance movement therapy: transforming psychological trauma into growth

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Title Dance movement therapy: transforming psychological trauma into growth
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Fine Arts
Department Dance
Author Butcher, Brenda
Date 2019
Description Psychological trauma can potentially cause dysfunction in the brain, nervous system, and therefore, the rest of the body. Exposure to traumatic events, especially within childhood developmental years, can result in negative effects in brain development as well as symptoms of dissociation often seen in personality disorders and posttraumatic stress disorders. The effects of trauma on the psyche, and the context of traumatic experiences, also can have complex implications regarding an individual's ability to create and maintain healthy relationships in adulthood. This document argues Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) as an effective therapeutic methodology in treating the impacts of individual psychological trauma. DMT recognizes the body as an instrument that provides form to unconscious mental processes, contributing to psychological healing. It has also been suggested that DMT potentially improves right brain function in adults who display trauma-related dissociative symptoms. Trauma psychology, neuroscience, and DMT literature will be reviewed to create a theoretical foundation for DMT and its effectiveness in treating psychological trauma. Several DMT interventions will be examined as applications that may support bottom-up integration and resolution of individual psychological trauma. Limitations and suggestions for future research within DMT modalities will also be discussed.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Dissertation Name Master of Fine Arts
Language eng
Rights Management (c) Brenda Butcher
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
ARK ark:/87278/s6e7hvw8
Setname ir_etd
ID 1757545
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6e7hvw8
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