ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief theoretical review of the interplay between body and mind in the experience of trauma. The chapter describes some of the methods currently or traditionally used to treat trauma, and presents a dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) approach to working with trauma. The intense emotional response to a traumatic event is expressed through strong physical sensations. A traumatic event is any event in which the person is exposed to, experiences or confronts one or a few events that involve actual death or death threat or serious harm, or a threat to the physical or emotional wellbeing of them or a person or others nearby. When traumatic memories are recalled they trigger a cycle of interaction among cognitive, psychological, emotional and sensorimotor. Initial introduction to one’s own body sensations and body awareness must begin with the creation of a supportive, trustworthy, warm environment.
