Embodying Identity: A Qualitative Case Study of Dance/Movement Therapy for People Transitioning Genders

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the subjective experience and expression of body image for 6 transgender adults while they participated in a series of dance/movement therapy (DMT) sessions. Participants included 4 transgender women and 2 transgender men, ranging in age from 39 to 63 years old, all of whom identified as in the process of transitioning to living as their desired gender. Data were collected through the observations of the researcher during 4 DMT sessions that she led for participants, movement phrases created by participants during the sessions, and exit interviews with each participant. Data were reported in a written narrative, which integrates major themes and variant themes of body image as they emerged from the data. The study found 6 group themes: (a) the importance of expressing one‟s true and unique self, (b) supporting one another‟s efforts to express the true self, (c) the body‟s experience of violence and discrimination, (d) studying and practicing gendered movements, (e) actively working to shape the body as a vehicle of self expression, and (f) joy, relief and celebration in the gender transition. The study found 4 variant themes: (a) active engagement in the transgender community, (b) physical limitations caused by medical conditions, (c) struggling with the decision whether to transition, and (d) controlling the body‟s expression of sexuality. These findings may be applicable tohealth care providers serving transgender clients by increasing their awareness of the subjective experience of transitioning to living full-time as a man or a woman.%%%%M.A., Creative Arts in Therapy – Drexel University, 2010