History and application of Dance Movement Therapy

This article is an edited version of a literature review completed during a Research Strategies course, undertaken as a component of a Master of Social Work. The aim of the review was to begin to address a question being posed, by highlighting existing knowledge and identifying a gap which could only be filled by further research. The question pursued by the writer was ‘What impact does Dance Movement Therapy have on the emotional healing of people aged 65 and over, who have experienced trauma?’. The review therefore begins by introducing and explaining the concepts of Dance Movement Therapy and embodied trauma. It goes on to outline the role of Dance Movement Therapy in healing embodied trauma, by drawing on both experimental research and non – experimental literature. In doing so, the lack of such research or literature surrounding the impact of Dance Movement Therapy on older people who have experienced trauma is identified and discussed. Finally, the importance of addressing this gap in knowledge – via further research – is articulated.

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