Holistic movement activities with refugee families: the importance of attachment processes

Abstract This article focuses on how holistic movement activities can support essential attachment processes and touching, loving and joyful moments between children and parents in refugee families. The research project presented, Moving Families, takes place in a therapeutic setting in a departure centre. The project was created in cooperation between Danish Red Cross and University of Copenhagen. The methodology is inspired by practitioner research and a phenomenological-inspired research approach and scenic descriptions are used to catch meaningful moments. The article illustrates how a holistic movement approach can create a ‘safe space’ that can support the families’ resilience processes, as well as encouraging empowerment. The findings show that movement processes must be approached with great sensitivity and awareness, as the emotional relationships in the families can be challenging. Lastly, the project indicates that play and holistic movement activities have great national and international potential for supporting empowerment and attachment processes in other families who find themselves in precarious and vulnerable situations.