ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces and discusses an original integrative psychophysical approach for the healing of trauma grounded in the art form of theatre, more specifically in the teaching of the Russian actor and director Michael Chekhov, and the notion of physical gesture. The author provides an overview of psychophysicality as described in neuro- and cognitive science, in a range of acting traditions and techniques in theatre, and in trauma-focused somatic therapies. The author describes bi-directional processes between body, mind, emotion, and cognition that appear particularly relevant to trauma. The author concludes by critically considering the originality, applications, and limitations of the model, and how it provides additional resources to enable and support the embodied healing of trauma.
