A typical dance/movement therapy session, as led by Sarah, begins with a few minutes of talking to check-in. The dance/movement begins with a warm-up that is appropriate for the group or individual. The warm-up is followed by "process," or the period of exploration of ideas, images, issues present in the session. The session ends with closure, a time to finish for today with the ideas brought forth in the process time. Closure brings the client back to an emotional space of preparation to return to daily life. Sessions generally run about an hour in length and individuals or groups generally sign-on for eight to ten sessions. Dance/movement therapy may incorporate the use of many different types of music and many different props to help facilitate the creative process.

Today, in addition to those with severe emotional disorders, people of all ages and varying conditions receive dance/movement therapy. Examples of these are individuals with eating disorders, adult survivors of violence, sexually and physically abused children, dysfunctional families, the homeless, autistic children, the frail elderly, and substance abusers. Beyond the tremendous therapeutic benefits of Dance Therapy, dancing can also be a fun way to improve personal growth and self-esteem.

An evolving area of specialization is using dance/movement therapy in disease prevention and health promotion programs and with those who have chronic medical  conditions. Many innovative programs provide dance/movement therapy for people with cardiovascular disease hypertension, chronic pain, or breast cancer.

Dance as therapy came into existence in the 1940s, especially through the pioneering efforts of Marian Chace. Psychiatrists in Washington, D.C., found that their patients were deriving benefits from attending Chace's unique dance classes. As a result, Chace was asked to work on the back wards of St. Elizabeths Hospital with patients who had been considered too disturbed to participate in regular group activities. A non-verbal group approach was needed and dance/movement therapy met that need.                                                         

Dance/movement therapy is a mental health profession that uses both creative and everyday movement in the process of helping individuals learn more about themselves and their interactions with others. In this unique form of psychotherapy, individuals experience and express themselves with an integration of words and movement. One of the core beliefs in this therapy is that the mind and the body are interrelated and that by creating change  in the body, change can happen in the mind and emotions. Therefore, the dance/movement therapy process provides an integrated experience  of body, mind and spirit. Dance/movement therapy helps develop healthy self image, communication skills and emotional stability.

Dance/movement therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association as: the psychotherapeutic use of dance as a process to further the psychological, physical, social, and emotional health of the individual

Dance/Movement Therapy