Saving Black Wonder Woman: Dance/Movement Therapy as Self-Care for the Black Female Social Worker

This doctoral capstone explores the use of Dance/Movement Therapy as a culturally responsive self-care intervention for Black female social workers. Grounded in Black feminist theory, radical self-care, and a DEIPAR (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Intersectionality, Power Analysis, and Anti-Racism) framework, the project addresses the impact of race- and gender-based trauma, burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma experienced by Black women in helping professions. The capstone presents the "Saving Black Wonder Woman" curriculum, a structured Dance/Movement Therapy-based group intervention designed to promote embodied healing, resilience, self-awareness, and sustainable self-care practices. This work contributes to the growing literature on culturally responsive mental health interventions and offers an innovative approach to supporting the well-being of Black female social workers.