Her Body Speaks: The Experience of Dance Therapy for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

This qualitative, phenomenological study explores the experiences of dance therapy for 5 women who had been sexually abused as children. Using in-depth, largely unstructured interviews, the women reflect on their dance therapy experiences and on their perceptions of the role of these experiences in their psychological healing. Analysis of these data revealed 6 common themes related to the women's sense of spontaneity, permission to play, struggle, freedom, intimate connection, and bodily reconnection. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of the therapeutic nature of dance therapy and how this therapeutic modality facilitates change and healing in clients' lives.

Becoming visible as a profession in a climate of competitiveness: The role of research

“…Another key concept is ontology: "the nature and reality of being" (Ponterotto, 2005, p. 127 (Payne, 1992). Another example of constructivist research is to be found in the phenomenological research of Mills and Daniluk (2002), who conducted in depth interviews with five women who had been sexually abused in childhood and had engaged in DMT. The authors conducted a thematic analysis of the interviews, and identified six common themes: spontaneity; permission to play; struggle; freedom; intimate connection; and bodily reconnection.…”

Learning through the body

“…As Colman (2003) notes, "Our experience is always embodied, always worldly, and always situated" (p. 4). With this in mind, most who discuss and research embodiment emphasize that embodiment is contextually based and involves social processes (Cheville, 1997(Cheville, , 2005Colman, 2003;Freiler, 2007;Mills and Daniluk, 2002;Somerville, 2004). Accordingly, situated cognition is theoretically discussed as a way to understand how embodied learning emerges through the body' s engagement in the process of activity and doing in situated experiences to construct knowledge (Fenwick, 2003;Michelson, 1998).…”

“…Other examples of experiences of embodied learning are visible in learning contexts related to improved quality of life and wellness (Beaudoin, 1999;Lord, 2002;Mills and Daniluk, 2002). Mills and Daniluk (2002), for example, investigate experiences of embodiment in exploring the lived experiences and meanings drawn from engagement in dance therapy for women dealing with issues of childhood sexual abuse, noting, "Indeed, the women in this study underscored the importance of being able to move 'out of their heads' and past their cognitive defenses, so that they could begin to attend to their bodily sensations, feelings, and impulses" (p. 85).…”

Women in midlife: Experiences of the mind and body movement of Nia.

“…As well, women suffering from chronic illness such as fibromyalgia have significantly improved their depressive symptoms and bodily pain after engaging in physical activity (Bircan, Karasel, Akgun, El, & Alper, 2008). Dance/movement therapy has been an effective therapeutic modality in reducing depression and increasing vitality (Koch, Morlinghaus, & Fuchs, 2007), increasing psychological and physical function for women managing with fibromyalgia (Bojner-Horwitz, 2004), and facilitating psychological healing for women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (Mills & Daniluk, 2002). Therefore, it is conceivable that midlife women managing with depression, anxiety, chronic illness, or those who have experienced abusive situations may benefit from the holistic movement approach that the practice of Nia provides.…”

“…Nia, as a practice, honours women for who they are and provides the opportunity during midlife for women to explore and realize their possibilities. Mills and Daniluk (2002) profess that counsellors need to be aware of the ways in which women embody experience.…”