Dance Movement Therapy is the relational and therapeutic use of dance and movement to further the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and cultural* functioning of a person.
Movement is a Universal Language communicated through the body. It is the first language.
As the body moves Micro or Macro movements hold the answers. Body Movement speaks to us and tells us about our life experiences.
Dance Movement Therapy combines the elements of dance, movement systems, creative processes, and psychological and scientific theories to address the specific needs of groups and individuals.
It is an intervention too. It helps bring clarity and consolidates a persons function. Dance and Movement are the agency or healing modality just as words are in verbal Psychotherapy.
Defined by the American Dance Movement Therapy Association, “Dance Movement Therapy is psycho-therapeutic use of movement and dance to support the intellectual, emotional, cognitive, social, behavioural and motor functions of the body”.
As a form of expressive therapy, it looks at the correlation between movement and emotion. It is also called Movement Psychotherapy.