There are many forms of therapy that fit different people. Either being art, dance, or even music therapy, its purpose remains the same: to help the individual heal through whatever that it is they suffer. The American Dance Therapy Association defines dance or movement therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual.” In addition to improving physical and mental health, dance therapy can help reduce stress, prevent disease, and manage moods. Further, dance therapy’s physical component contributes to improved muscle strength, coordination, mobility, and reduction of muscular tension. Individuals, couples, families, and groups can all benefit from dance/movement therapy. The goal of dance therapy is to make the client aware of himself or herself, to build self-esteem, and to provide a safe environment for expressing feelings.

In the body, feelings are felt. The body stores memories. DMT sessions can include the client tuning into areas of discomfort or tightness and, within a judgment-free environment, allowing those areas to surface and potentially surface and be released or expressed.

From a physical standpoint, dance therapy provides many of the advantages of exercise, including better health, improved well-being, coordination, and muscle tone. As for the emotional aspects, it allows people to express emotions like anger, frustration, and loss that are hard to express verbally as well as explore such stressful issues as loss and bereavement that might otherwise be avoided. Specifically, dance therapy is designed to boost memory, motivation, and cognitive skills.

What issues can dance therapy help me with? 

Dance therapists and psychologists have conducted research on the use of movement to treat a variety of mental and physical problems. These are just a couple of problems that art therapy can aid in:

• Childhood obesity
• Chronic Pain
• Arthritis
• Hypertension
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Poor self-stem
• Post-traumatic stress