Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Health Anxiety: Development of a Method

Despite the development of effective interventions such as Exposure and Response Prevention, the literature on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) demonstrates a large proportion of individuals whose symptoms do not improve with behavioral therapies alone. Supplemental therapies such as Mindfulness have been studied in order to address this issue, demonstrating partial success. The current thesis focuses on individuals diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder who present with health anxiety symptomology. Dance/Movement Therapy is a modality which addresses the mind/body connection, especially important those who have body-based triggers. In order to address the need for supplemental treatment modalities for individuals suffering from OCD, a mindfulness-based dance/movement therapy intervention was developed. This intervention was tested in a group format over the course of two weeks at a residential treatment center for adults with treatment resistant OCD. Results illustrate an expansion of the movement qualities of the participants between the first and second sessions. Several themes emerged, including awareness, psychological flexibility, and a feeling of discomfort. Future research on how this intervention may be used over time in an individual or group setting is recommended.