Keywords: Dance movement therapy, Alexithymia, trauma, Laban movement analysis, symbolic expression, empathy, verbalization, affect differentiation
Page #: 35
The author presents a model for a dance movement therapeutic program proposed to assist clients suffering from Alexithymia resulting from trauma, literally translated as being ‘without words for feelings’. These clients also experience ‘paucity of fantasy and symbolic functioning’ and have difficulty being empathetic with others. Helmich proposes a program that draws on Laban movement analysis to develop a client’s capacity for symbolic movement and subsequently ability to differentiate, and ‘organise this experience into a verbal form’. She offers four charts, which specifically outline four clear program goals including specific interventions and associated hypotheses. The four key areas for development are as follows: tolerance of feeling, affect differentiation, verbalisation and development of empathy.
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