Creative Arts Therapies Theses

Date of Award

12-14-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Art in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling (MA)

Department

Creative Arts Therapies

First Advisor

Susan Imus

Second Advisor

Laura Downey

Third Advisor

Jessica Young

Keywords

therapy dogs, dance movement therapy, psychotic, Dephi Method

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to develop dance/movement therapy (DMT) interventions incorporating therapy dogs with the goal of increasing present moment awareness in adults diagnosed with psychotic disorders. Individual interviews were held with two therapy dog handlers who served as consultants for the purpose of obtaining information regarding therapy dogs and how they are used in sessions. These individual interviews were audio recorded and transcribed to inform the development of three DMT interventions in collaboration with the dog handlers. A version of the Delphi Method was utilized in order to systematically organize the data obtained from the interviews (Hsu & Sandford, 2007). After development and review of the interventions, an implementation trial was held. This implementation trial consisted of five dance/movement therapy students, the two consultants, one volunteer therapy dog handler, myself as the facilitator, and three therapy dogs. This implementation trial served the purpose of obtaining feedback to incorporate into the final development of the dance/movement therapy interventions utilizing therapy dogs. 84 pages.

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