Body and mind are interconnected so that a change in one impacts the other.
Develop and adjust treatment to continuously meet the needs of the client.
Assess, evaluate, and develop treatment goals.
Prevent, diagnose, and treat issues that interfere with healthy functioning.
Although each dance/movement therapist will have his or her own style, certified dance/movement therapists adhere to the following mission and theoretical principles: Sessions can be highly structured or non-directive and may be conducted individually or in groups. Principles of Dance TherapyĭMT sessions often include observation, assessment, warm-ups, interventions, verbal processing, and warm-down phases focused on closure.
Due to its social and physical components, dance/movement therapy is also being considered as a treatment option for childhood obesity.Īlthough further research is needed to determine how effective DMT can be in other settings, it continues to show promise as a viable treatment modality for many physical and mental health issues.
A literature review from the American Journal of Dance Therapy indicated that DMT may be a treatment option for children on the autism spectrum.
A study from Alzheimer's Care Today (2009) suggests that DMT can directly improve memory recall in people with dementia.
A study from the American Journal of Dance Therapy (2004), in which 54 students participated in a dance therapy violence prevention program, found that aggression among participants decreased and pro-social behaviors increased.
A study from the journal The Arts in Psychotherapy (2007) found that dance therapy had a positive effect on participants experiencing symptoms of depression.
Research has demonstrated that dance therapy can be effective in the treatment of mental health issues like disordered eating, depression, and anxiety. It is commonly used to treat physical, psychological, cognitive, and social issues such as: The creative expression of dance therapy can bolster communication skills and inspire dynamic relationships. Dance/movement therapy is a versatile form of therapy founded on the idea that motion and emotion are interconnected. What Kind of Issues Can Dance Therapy Help With?ĭance therapists work with people in therapy to help them improve their body image and self-esteem.
Resources Related to Dance/Movement Therapy.
History and Philosophy of Dance Therapy.
How Is Dance Therapy Different from Regular Dancing?.
What Kind of Issues Can Dance Therapy Help With?.
In general, dance therapy promotes self-awareness, self-esteem, and a safe space for the expression of feelings. Dance/movement therapy can be used with all populations and with individuals, couples, families, or groups. In addition, DMT's physical component offers increased muscular strength, coordination, mobility, and decreased muscular tension. Beneficial for both physical and mental health, dance therapy can be used for stress reduction, disease prevention, and mood management.
THE FLOW EXPERIENCE IN DANCE HOW TO
How to Send Appointment Reminders that Workĭance/movement therapy, usually referred to simply as dance therapy or DMT, is a type of therapy that uses movement to help individuals achieve emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration.
Rules and Ethics of Online Therapy for Therapists.