Voice Movement Therapy: Evaluation of a Group-Based Expressive Arts Therapy for Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Young Adults

Authors

  • Sophie Martin BThArts, MA
  • Graham Martin MD, FRANZCP
  • Belinda Lequertier BSc, BPsych, MClinPsych, MAPS
  • Sarah Swannell BSocSci, AssocMAPS
  • Anna Follent BA, MSPathSt
  • Florence Choe BPsych

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v5i1.198

Abstract

Effective and proven approaches for engaging and assisting young people who self-injure are yet to be established. The current study presents findings from 4 pilot trials of voice movement therapy (VMT) in addition to ‘‘treatment as usual.’’ Nineteen young women (mean age 20 years 3 months, range 16-25 years) completed 10 weekly group therapy sessions and a follow-up booster session. At posttreatment, there were statistically significant improvements in emotion regulation, alexithymia, self-esteem, anxiety, somatic symptoms and social dysfunction, and a nonsignificant trend for reduced depression and self-injury. All improvements were maintained at 8 to 10 weeks of follow-up. Results suggest VMT is an acceptable and promising adjunctive therapy for young adults who self-injure.

Author Biographies

Sophie Martin, BThArts, MA

Department of Creative Arts, Wollongong University, Wollongong, Australia.

Sophie Martin, BThArts, MA, is a registered voice movement ther- apy practitioner who runs group and individual sessions within Australia.

Graham Martin, MD, FRANZCP

Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Graham Martin, MD, FRANZCP, is a professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Queensland.

Belinda Lequertier, BSc, BPsych, MClinPsych, MAPS

Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Belinda Lequertier, BSc, BPsych, MClinPsych, MAPS, is a clinical psychologist, currently doing full-time PhD at the University of Queensland.

Sarah Swannell, BSocSci, AssocMAPS

Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Sarah Swannell, BSocSci, AssocMAPS, is a psychologist working clinically and completing PhD research, with a focus on self-destructive behaviors.

Anna Follent, BA, MSPathSt

Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Anna Follent, BA, MSPathSt, is a speech pathologist, currently working at The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland.

Florence Choe, BPsych

Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Florence Choe, BPsych, completed her honors in psychology on the basis of the initial study and is completing further studies.

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Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Full Length Articles