During my PhD, I conducted two preliminary studies that enabled me to develop an evidence-informed 16-week treatment protocol (12 weeks of intervention plus a 4-week follow-up review) to investigate the effects of group dance/movement therapy sessions in adults living with treatment-resistant depression.
I inquired and measured partcipants’ stress levels, cortisol levels (though hair samples) interoceptive awareness, and conducted group and 1:1: interviews.
“Data revealed a convergent relationship between four forms of data collected. Results illustrated an expansion in participants’ capacity for regulation based on a body-based assessment of dysregulation, increased confidence in navigating bodily cues, and a positive association with one’s body in three participants (n=3) who completed the study. Incomplete data due to dropouts (n=2) was linked with comorbidities, hence reinforcing current literature on challenges in accessing treatment. The participants’ experiences captured in this case series primarily demonstrate adaptive coping strategies despite challenges from pre-existing regulation patterns” (Christopher , 2025)
Doctorate Research Seminar
As part of my PhD, each candidate was required to present a lay-summary of their doctorate research as part of completing their Phd. You can watch my completion seminar recording here.
The presentation is accompanied by an Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreter.
Research Publications
Open access publications written as part of my doctorate research have been linked under the resources section of this website.
