Creative Arts Therapies Theses

Date of Award

12-2010

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

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

Department

Creative Arts Therapies

First Advisor

Allen, Laura

Keywords

addiction, recovery, shame, interpersonal relations

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis project was to identify the emotional experiences of women who are in recovery for addiction on a verbal and non-verbal level and determine if shame is a predominant emotion. Through the combination of phenomenological and clinical case study methodologies, this thesis examines the verbal disclosures and movement responses of women within dance/movement therapy groups, through video recording and journal entries. Content analysis resulted in the identification of primary themes, which included circumstances related to relationship and responsibility, shame related to responsibility, goals for their relationships and for self. The resulting implications for dance/movement therapy methods to address the needs of this population are presented as well as questions for further research.

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