Digital Commons Network^™

Multimodal Dance/Movement Therapy For Children With Autism, Riley K. Cornacchini

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review examines the potential of creative arts therapies, particularly multimodal approaches, in improving social connection and communication for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The review explores how expressive arts therapy, including dance/movement, music, art, and drama therapy, engages children with ASD in non-verbal and emotionally expressive ways. Emphasizing early intervention, it highlights how these therapies promote emotional regulation, social and motor skills, and self-expression, enabling children to connect with others and navigate their social worlds. Drawing on both research and personal experience, the review illustrates how creative arts therapy can provide flexible, individualized interventions to meet the …

To Bear Witness: Analyzing Dmt As An Effective Trauma-Informed Approach For Treating Youth & Adolescents: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Jade Dennis

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review proposes dance/movement therapy (DMT) as a trauma-informed intervention for children and adolescents who have experienced psychological, emotional, or physical trauma. The project, inspired by internship experiences with young trauma survivors, explores the ways in which trauma manifests in the body, indicating that DMT may offer effective pathways toward healing. Many children exposed to potentially traumatic events exhibit emotional dysregulation, insecure attachment patterns, and behavioral or somatic symptoms that are not easily addressed through traditional talk therapy. As a body-based expressive arts modality, DMT engages the sensory, emotional, and relational aspects of trauma by supporting nonverbal expression, self-regulation, …

Dance/Movement Therapy: A Novel Approach For Latino Males With Incarceration Histories In Sud Treatment, Aletia Egipciaco

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper investigates how open clients would be to participating and engaging in Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) sessions at a residential SUD facility. The questions asked were (1) What level of engagement would clients have and (2) How would they engage in DMT group sessions at a residential substance use disorder facility? A program lasting 8 weeks, aimed at facilitating DMT group sessions, was conducted at a residential SUD facility twice a week. The objective was to assess participant engagement levels and observe their involvement in the DMT sessions. Residents of the facility were invited voluntarily to attend the DMT groups. …

A Comparison Of Body-Based Therapies Of Infant Development: A Literature Review, Nicole Rivera

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this thesis, I discuss two body-based therapies and explore their theory, body movement observation, assessments, application, and qualifications within an infant population. After my research, I have a more in-depth understanding of the differences and similarities between the methods and have more comprehension around what makes dance/movement therapy unique. I discovered that dance/movement therapists can collaboratively work alongside any medical facility due to the extensive training one must go through. A dance/movement therapist can use an assortment of assessments to give a client a treatment plan designed uniquely for them and their therapeutic goals. A dance/movement therapist can hold …

A Literature Review Exploring The Effectiveness Of Dance/Movement Therapy As A Treatment Modality For Adults With Dual-Diagnosis In Recovery, Helen Turnbull

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

The following literature review is an investigation of the current state of the literature regarding the use of dance/movement therapy as a treatment modality for adults with dual diagnosis in recovery. The theories explored in this paper present the primary and conventional modes that are currently being used to treat substance use and comorbid mental health disorders, such as the 12-Step program model of Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as introducing alternative methods of treatment, which include the use of dance/movement therapy, body-oriented psychotherapy, and the somatic work of the Alexander Technique, which offer a more holistic approach to healing …

Creating A Movement Group In The 2-Dimensional World: Using Dance/Movement Therapy Interventions To Build Connections For Children, Naomi E. Muhs

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The world experienced many changes after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, including counseling sessions transitioning to being delivered through the service of distance counseling. As a growing field, dance/movement therapy must explore distance counseling services to expand and have relevancy within the demands of current society. This project addressed the gap in the research on the integrating of distance counseling services and dance/movement therapy while presenting an interactive remote method for facilitating a group therapy session with a dance/movement therapy approach. Every piece of literature that was researched helped in creating the interventions that were implemented with the clients. The following …

Examining The Creative Therapies As A Strategy For Addressing The Trauma Of Intimate Partner Violence: A Literature Review, Gina Cestaro

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Thirty percent of all women worldwide will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime (WHO, 2019). IPV is damaging to the body and mind, and impacts every area of a woman’s life, and frequently results in trauma (Murray, et al., 2017). The seriousness and prevalence of intimate partner violence clearly warrants research into effective treatments. Consequently, this literature review examines existing arts-based interventions that address the symptomology of trauma and how those interventions could specifically benefit victim-survivors of IPV. Research in neuroscience has shown that memories of a traumatic experience are often stored as disconnected fragments and overwhelming bodily …

What Was Lost: How Dance/Movement Therapy Can Support The Retention And Repair Of Cognitive Abilities In Cancer Patients, A Literature Review, Sarah E. Menser

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review examines research surrounding the effects of chemotherapy on cognitive abilities alongside methods of increasing cognitive functioning throughout treatment. Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is seen in many patients undergoing chemotherapy yet has had little attention in cancer research. However, research that has been performed shows that by increasing physical activity during chemotherapy often results in improved cognitive abilities as well as increasing individual’s memory, focus, and multi-tasking abilities. With this connection between physical exercise and cognitive functioning, this author is interested in investigating the idea that dance/movement therapy can assist in the recovery and repair of residual cognitive …

Dance/Movement-Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Combining Modalities In The Treatment Of Substance Use: A Literature Review, Elizabeth Shillington

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

With the number of drug overdoses ever increasing, it has become more apparent that other forms of therapy need to explored in the treatment of substance use. By taking the unique needs of substance use recovery into consideration, the country will be better able to help those seeking treatment. The combined use of dance/movement therapy and dialectical behavior therapy were considered in this literature review, as both have been effective in substance use recovery but have not been used together. Through a discussion of the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and an analysis of dance/movement therapy literature, it has been …

An Annotated Bibliography Of Creative Interventions Within Dance/Movement Therapy, Kaitlynn Kavanaugh

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

This annotated bibliography explores how creativity is integrated in dance/movement therapy (DMT) interventions. The central question guiding this research was: How is creativity explicitly implemented in DMT interventions, approaches, and/or theoretical frameworks? Literature was gathered from journal articles, books, book chapters, and online peer reviews; a total of fifteen sources were annotated. During the research process, several challenges emerged when searching for explicit explanations of creativity used within DMT. This included annotations from sources which described creativity used within DMT interventions, approaches and theoretical frameworks that did not explicitly define creativity. This bibliography uncovers several themes related to the concept …

Moving Thru: Dance/Movement Therapy Based Program For Direct Caregivers Of Childhood Survivors Of Human Trafficking And Commercial Sexual Exploitation In Belize, Amy Vanbecelaere

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

The purpose of this project was to; identify the biopsychosocial needs of child survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in Belize and to develop a dance/movement therapy based program that Belizean caregivers can utilize to better serve the children they work with. The Moving THRU (Trauma Healing, Recovery + Understanding) program was developed based on current literature regarding post-trafficking mental health care and information provided in interviews by Belizean direct caregivers currently working with youth who have been trafficked and exploited in the Cayo District of central Belize. The curriculum is designed to help direct caregivers utilize techniques …