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 suggested intervention 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.