A Dance/Movement Therapy Method for Improving Mood States of Adolescent Girls in a Residential Treatment Center

The purpose of this study is to examine dance/ movement therapy (DMT) sessions as a method of intervention, through observing with Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and Kestenberg Movement Profile (KMP) and recording shifting mood states in participants living in a residential treatment center. The participants are adolescent female clients age 13-17 years old. They have co-morbid diagnoses including depression, eating disorders, ADHD, histories of abuse and neglect, and oppositional defiant disorder. Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and verbal check-ins are used to determine mood states before, during, and after a DMT session. Data is collected via observations made using a designated correlation between LMA efforts with mood dimensions. Observation takes place over two sessions. The DMT session has a set structure and theme. A movement check-in and observation will occur at the beginning of the session and the end as an opportunity for the participants to express themselves verbally and physically. The results show participants reporting changes in their mood states from beginning to the end of the DMT session. While not all mood state shifts observed were positive or a desired mood state shift, the purpose of this study was to see if mood state shifts were occurring despite being positive or negative. DMT can serve this population to help them identify their internal mood states and provide coping strategies for modulating their mood