Dance/Movement
Therapy
Dance/Movement Therapy is rooted in the expressive nature of dance itself. Dance is
the most fundamental of the arts, involving a direct expression and experience
of oneself through the body. It is a basic form of authentic communication and
as such it is an especially effective medium for therapy. Based on the belief
that the body, the mind and the spirit are interconnected, dance/movement therapy
is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association as the psychotherapeutic
use of movement as a process that furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and
physical integration of the individual.
Impact
Dance/movement
therapy can effect changes in feelings, cognition, physical functioning and behavior
of abused children. Dance Therapists focus on helping the child improve self-esteem
and body image, achieve communication skills and relationships, expand movement
vocabulary, gain insight into patterns of behavior and create new options for
coping with problems.
Education:
The American Dance
Therapy Association (ADTA) currently has over 1200 members throughout the United
States. A Registered Dance Therapist (DTR) is awarded to entry-level Dance Therapists
who have a Master’s degree in dance therapy and 700 hours of supervised
clinical internship. The Advanced Registry (ADTR) is awarded only after the DTR
has completed 3,640 hours of supervised clinical work in an agency, institution
or special school with additional supervision from an ADTR required.
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