Body Movement Manual for the Assessment and Treatment of Trauma Survivors

Author:Federman, Dita; Zana-Sterenfeld, Galit; Lev-Wiesel, Rachel

Article Title:Body Movement Manual for the Assessment and Treatment of Trauma Survivors

Abstract:
Trauma is manifested through the body in different ways, from arousal to freezing, or cessation of movement. Verbal expressions of traumatic experience have long been studied;however, studies of nonverbal responses are scarce. The current paper presents the Movement Assessment and Treatment Manual for Trauma (MAMT). The suggestedintervention is based on recent evidence indicating a relationship between the body's non-verbal expressions and the emotional verbal narratives in people who have experienced a traumatic event. The study, conducted by experienced dance/movement therapists, explored bodily movements while people recount traumatic memories. Results revealed three main bodily movement categories that accompany the verbal narration of a traumatic event: illustrative, rhythmic and regulative movements. The intervention presented is based on the practical implications of the bodily movement categories found to be manifested when a traumatic event is recalled. The MAMT intervention model is illustrated by a case study.

Keywords: Bodily movements; Trauma; Assessment; Therapy; Survivors

DOI: 10.1007/s10465-019-09298-3

Source:AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DANCE THERAPY

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