Dance Movement Therapy
Dance Movement Therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which the therapist utilizes movement as the primary means for accomplishing the therapeutic goal. Movement is the process, which furthers the emotional and physical integration of the individual. The Dance Movement Therapist helps the client or group to examine, on a movement and verbal level, the emotional and physical responses thereby facilitation for healing can occur.
The Dance Movement Therapist encourages movement responses and interactions from patients and clients in individual or group setting using movement improvisation. The therapist uses observational skills for the purpose of evaluating and diagnosing patient responses to interactive and interpersonal processes. Dance Movement Therapy can help clients become more integrated, develop self-awareness and a stronger sense of self. Movement can instill feelings of stability, strength, and the realizations of choices available. Dance Movement Therapy, based on the assumption that body and mind are inter-related, effects changes in emotions and cognition, physical functioning, and behavior.
Benefits of Dance Movement Therapy
- Enhance sense of self-esteem
- Build trust
- Improve interaction and socialization
- Decrease muscle tension and increase coordination
- Increase attention, relatedness, and task performance
- Challenge old patterns
- Increase kinesthetic awareness
- Body image differentiation and development
- Increase in range of movement potential and coping mechanisms
- Increase a grounded sense of self
- Gain an awareness of emotional state and gain a tolerance for feelings that feel unsafe.