Exploring Possibilities of Moving Beyond Fear in Agoraphobia: A Dance Movement Psychotherapy Autobiographical Research

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

'I ________________ declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.'

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

This research explores the concept of agoraphobics among women. Furthermore, it describes various researches that are being carried in the field of women experiencing anxiety and fear. The phobia is most commonly observed more in women than in men. By studying attachment theory and ambivalent attachment in detail, this research creates a connection between attachment theory and Agoraphobics. Furthermore, the research includes elements from an interview that I conducted with a Dance Movement Psychotherapist practitioner who has worked with people suffering from anxiety and panic. DMP is a form of psychotherapy that differs from traditional psychotherapy, when psychomotor expression is used as a basic mode of intervention (Levy 1988). 'Dance Movement Psychotherapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance through which a person can engage creatively in a process to further their emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration' (Association for Dance Movement Therapy UK, 2003).As this research is based on my personal experience i.e. an autobiography, this research discusses how I felt during this phobia.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY1

3.1 Qualitative Research1

3.2 Autobiography2

3.3 Epistemology5

3.4 Primary Personal Documentation6

3.4.2 Embodiment8

3.4.3 Visual Media9

3.4.4 Interview Research Method10

3.5 Ethics11

3.6 Dual Role12

3.7 The DMP Therapy Setting13

3.8 Data Collection14

3.9 Data Analysis15

3.9.1 Comparative Analysis15

3.9.2 Narrative Analysis15

3.9.3 Thematic Analysis16

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS18

4.1 Introduction to Data Discussion18

4.2 Themes Identified20

4.2.1 Stillness20

4.2.2 Space and Time22

4.2.3 Epistemology- Feminism25

4.2.4 Moving Beyond the Fear28

4.3 Future Work31

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION33

5.1 Conclusion33

REFERENCES37

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Qualitative Research

Researching the area of my human experience, the qualitative research method was the specific tool required, including dance movement psychotherapy as a form of therapy applied in psychology and as part of a wider spectrum of arts therapies.

'Qualitative approaches in psychology are generally engaged with exploring and describing the personal and social experience of the participants and understanding how participants make sense of their personal and social world' (Smith 2008).

Using a qualitative approach method I aim to analyse a process where the acknowledgement results from the personal DMP therapy, using words, instead of numbers using in quantitative research (Grainger 1999; MacNiff 1998). Presenting what I already know about the social world, theory and methodology in qualitative research appeared to be challenging particularly when this process involves my experience and personal narrative and data, bringing the private life into public knowledge (Ribbers & Edwards 1998). Thinking epistemologically, I attempt to consider what I already know and find a theoretical basis for what I have found (Letherby 2003); furthermore, to reflect the autobiographical methods and methodology I present a feminist epistemology framework integrating the research-researched relationship and unfolding conceptualizations of ...