Creative Arts Therapies Theses

Date of Award

8-13-2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

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

Department

Creative Arts Therapies

First Advisor

Imus, Susan

Second Advisor

Downey, Laura

Third Advisor

Young, Jessica

Keywords

dance/movement therapy, heuristic, therapeutic, disabled, developmental delays, cognitive delays, nonverbal communication, countertransference.

Abstract

This heuristic inquiry explored the creation of therapeutic relationships. The intention of this research was to learn how to build therapeutic relationships with clients that I felt uncomfortable around, with whom I did not have much experience and whom I did not want to relate to due my personal prejudices around severe illnesses and extreme developmental and cognitive delays. This study was important not only to expand my knowledge and experiences working with these populations but to also inform my future clinical experiences with new clients as I embark on my professional career. I collected data through reflective journaling and movement responses about the therapeutic relationship after conducting dance/movement therapy sessions. I was able to concretize why I was drawn to certain relationships more than others, the positives and negatives about each relationship, and how to improve my ability to forge therapeutic relationships. 61 pages.

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