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What do Dance/movement Therapists do?
Dance/movement therapists work with individuals of all ages, groups and families in a wide variety of settings. They focus on helping their clients improve self-esteem and body image, develop effective communication skills and relationships, expand their movement vocabulary, gain insight into patterns of behavior, as well as create new options for coping with problems. Movement is the primary medium dance/movement therapists use for observation, assessment, research, therapeutic interaction, and interventions. Dance/movement therapists respect each client’s unique movement patterns as the beginning place for self-discovery, and change. The therapist provides guidance focusing on the therapeutic, healing and relational aspects of the movement instead of the aesthetic ones.
Dance/movement therapists work in settings that include psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, schools, nursing homes, drug treatment centers, counseling centers, medical facilities, crisis centers, and wellness and alternative health care centers. Dance/movement therapy can be a powerful tool for stress management and the prevention of physical and mental health problems.
What is Dance/movement Therapy?
- Dance/movement therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual.
- Dance/movement therapists work with individuals who have social, emotional, cognitive and/or physical problems.
- They are employed in psychiatric hospitals, clinics, day care, community mental health centers, developmental centers, correctional facilities, special schools and rehabilitation facilities.
- They work with people of all ages in both groups and individually. They act as consultants and engage in research.
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They live and work throughout the United States, in Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.
What are the benefits of this work?
- Increases awareness of own movement and personality patterns
- Nurturing means of getting in touch with feelings
- Releases tension holding in body and emotions
- Builds healthier coping skills
- Creates supportive environment for self exploration and revelation
- Provides a group forum for addressing relational issues
- Provides the experience of universality (decreases isolation)
- Honors the individual while strengthening social skills
- Increases spontaneity
- Develops relaxation skills both in the moment of stress and long term by developing new patterns
What does BC-DMT (Board Certified Dance/movement Therapist) mean?
BC-DMT signifies that an individual has the education and experience to teach dance/movement therapy and to supervise interns, and that he or she has gone through a rigorous examination process.
This is the highest level of certifcation offered in the field.
What is the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)?
The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) was founded in 1966. It maintains a high level of educational (including master’s degree programs), professional competence and ethical practice standards.
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