Dance Movement Therapy: How It Works, Cost, & What to Expect

What Is Dance Movement Therapy?

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, for the purpose of improving health and well-being.² DMT is an embodied, somatic therapy movement-based approach; it is necessary to actively engage in the process to get a true sense of what it is.

DMT emerged in the 1940’s by early innovators – many being accomplished dancers – who began to realize the benefit of using dance and movement as psychotherapy.²

Do You Have to Be Good at Dance to Benefit From Dance Therapy?

The effectiveness of dance therapy is not impacted by whether or not you are a “good dancer”. To dance is to express yourself with your body’s movements, typically moving rhythmically to music. Combining dance and psychotherapy simply means having the willingness to engage with a trained psychotherapist through embodiment and movement-based expression. We can all do it, even if it may feel like we have two left feet. Movement is a basic form of communication. In fact, movement is our first form of communication.

How Is Dance Therapy Different From Regular Dancing?

In dance therapy, the dance therapist looks at the shape and the rhythm of the body and they understand that when connecting with clients, clients reveal their inner experience through the interpretation of their movements. A dance therapist understands that the body language and movement of a person can reflect their emotional state and even their personalities. With this knowledge, the therapist can help the client gain insight into their own inner experiences, process emotion, decrease levels of stress, treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.³

Dance has been scientifically proven to reduce levels of cortisol caused by chronic stress. It also causes the brain to release dopamine – a natural mood booster, and endorphins – a natural painkiller.⁴ Both dance therapy and regular dancing share this positive physiological impact on the body!

Examples of Dance Movement Therapy

Dance therapists may utilize a number of different dance and movement activities and techniques in addressing client needs. Someone who is seeking DMT for depression may have a treatment plan that is completely different from a client who is seeking DMT for PTSD, for example.

Here are a few examples of what dance therapy could look like:

Gesture

A dance therapist may ask their client to think about a gesture that reveals how they feel in the present moment. Then, perform this gesture with the body part of choice. For example, this can look like two hands on the heart moving in a slow, circular motion. Or, arms up in the air waving back and forth. The dance therapist may then ask the client to take that gesture a little bit deeper or to think about the feeling that evoked that gesture. This is an example of insight building and emotional processing through movement.

Mirroring

Mirroring in dance movement therapy, otherwise known as the Mirror Game, is a practice used to gain a greater sense of empathy and understanding between a clinician and a client or members of a group through imitating or “mirroring” each other’s movements.⁵ Other types of mirroring in DMT involve imitating a client’s movements, emotions, or intentions while in session.⁶

Jumping Rhythms

Therapists may incorporate jumping into a dance for clients experiencing depression because research has shown decreased levels of vertical movement in people with depression.⁷

Afro-Caribbean Dance Healing

A dance movement therapist combines Afro-Caribbean Dance with DMT to work not only with clients of color, but with any client who is suffering the psychosocial consequences of discrimination, oppression, violence, and trauma. Within Afro-Caribbean dance traditions, movement in the form of symbolic imagery is evoked by the embodiment of forces of nature, or themes of struggle, revolution, liberation, pride, and celebration. When a therapist makes the commitment to understand how social and political systems influence their clients’ lives, they then begin advocating for a culture of visibility, inclusion, and equality.⁸

Dance Therapy for an Adult With PTSD

Dance movement therapy is one type of trauma therapy that can address symptoms of post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dance therapy is thought to improve mental and physical health by activating psychological and physiological processes such as motor coordination, and expression of emotions. Trauma leaves its imprint on both mind and body and research demonstrates effective treatment requires involvement of both.⁹

Because DMT uses movement as the primary means of assessment and communication, the body is not merely addressed in therapy but actually given a voice. Memories that may be too difficult to express verbally can be shared through movement and dissociated feelings, previously unknown, can be identified as they arise in the body. Survivors can eventually regain a sense of control over confusing thoughts and feelings as they navigate their own bodily felt experience.¹⁰

What Can Dance Movement Therapy Help With?

Research acknowledges that the mind and body are interconnected. When a person is supported to move their body, bring awareness to their body, and express emotions through the body, this may improve their quality of life.

Dance therapy can help with the following conditions:

• Cancer care
• Blood pressure
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• PTSD
• Higher capacity for empathy
• Stress
• Body Image struggles/self esteem
• Communication skills
• Relationships
• Mood management
• Reduced pain
• Emotion regulation

Is Dance Movement Therapy Effective?

Research suggests that dance movement therapy decreases depression and anxiety and increases quality of life and interpersonal and cognitive skills. Early studies indicate that it might have value for some areas of wellness. These include psychological health, such as reducing symptoms of depression, and physical health, such as improving exercise capacity in people with heart failure.¹¹

Dance Movement Therapy Techniques

Dance movement therapy techniques may differ depending on the client and reason for seeking therapy. Each technique has one goal in common; to encourage the client to express themselves and bring light to their inner world with the use of embodiment, movement, symbolism, and connection.

Here are a few common dance therapy techniques used in sessions:

• Mirroring: is a popular tool used by dance therapists to establish nonverbal relationships. The therapist joins the client as they move, mirroring them to initiate trusting and meaningful contact.

• Attunement: Closely linked to mirroring, attunement involves movement empathy. “Muscular tensions felt in one person are felt in the other.”¹² Therapists don’t need to duplicate the shapes and gestures of the client, but can instead move toward a less intense, soothing pattern to calm an upset adult or child.
• Integrated development: Therapists observe and work through the client’s developmental phases using the power of movement. The process can help the client progress through mental roadblocks, regressions, and delays in their development and personal relationships. “A developmental dance/movement orientation addresses an individual’s intrapsychic, interpersonal, and spiritual evolution.”¹²
• Authentic movement: Authentic movement is used to reach back to a client’s earlier experiences. The individual lies on or near the ground, attending to bodily sensations and recreating a situation similar to that of an infant immersed in a sensory world. The relationship is between the mover (the client) and the witness (the therapist). “The heart of the practice is about the longing, as well as the fear, to see ourselves clearly.”¹²

Is Dance Movement Therapy a Good Fit for You?

Dance movement therapy may be an excellent choice for a variety of people and issues. Though, it is important to bring awareness to conditions in which this therapy may not be the most effective choice to begin with. Depending on the symptoms and issues a person is experiencing, other forms of treatment may be recommended to start with. But, it’s also important to note that DMT can be a great choice to supplement or combine with other forms of therapy if needed.

Here are a few things to consider when determining if dance therapy is right for you:

• If you are experiencing highly distressing psychological or physiological symptoms that are severely impacting your overall functioning, it may be recommended to first consult with your mental health clinician, primary care physician, and/or psychiatrist before engaging in dance movement therapy.

• If you are struggling with or in treatment for an active substance use addiction, it may be recommended to first consult with your treatment team as mentioned before engaging in dance movement therapy.

Do Dance Therapists Work With Children & Adolescents?

DMT is an excellent modality for children and adolescents. DMT helps babies to make connections, support sensory integration, regulation, and attachment needs. Older children learn ways to cope, comply with medical needs, express emotions, have control over their bodies, and increased communication.¹³

Who Can Provide Dance Therapy Sessions?

Dance movement therapy is recommended to be performed and guided by a trained and certified dance movement therapist, especially if your symptoms are severe enough to impact your overall functioning negatively. DMT is most successful when experienced either 1:1 or in a group setting with a certified therapist.

What Is the Cost of Dance Therapy?

Finding a trained therapist is your first step if you or a loved one can benefit from dance movement therapy. Cost is determined on whether or not you are using insurance. If you are using insurance, you may be subject to the fees for mental health counseling on your personal insurance plan. If you are paying out of pocket, you’ll want to find a licensed mental health counselor, social worker, or psychologist that is also trained and/or certified in DMT. Rates vary from around $60 – $180 USD per 50 minute session, depending on the therapist and their background/training.

If low-cost counseling is needed, you can ask your therapist if they offer “sliding scale rates”. This simply means the therapist is willing to lower their rate for you depending on your financial situation.

Does Insurance Typically Cover Dance Therapy?

Many insurance plans cover mental health and substance abuse treatment. Inquire with your insurance carrier about your plans’ mental health benefits. If you do have this coverage on your plan, look for a therapist that is trained or certified in dance movement therapy. Insurance plans that do have mental health coverage typically solely cover treatment from licensed clinicians, such as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or a Licensed Psychologist.

What to Look For in a Dance Therapist

When choosing a dance movement therapist, it’s important to know what to look for. Choosing a therapist that embodies the following “green flags” will aid in a higher probability of effective treatment.

Here are a few very important qualities to look for in a dance therapist:

• Licensed Clinician within the state you reside with a degree from an accredited school/institution
• The therapist has completed the appropriate and necessary training and/or certification to ethically and accurately provide dance movement therapy
• The therapist is on time, ethical, and culturally sensitive to your identity
• They work as a guide to help you through self-discovery and healing, working collaboratively with you to set and achieve goals
• They ask for feedback from you, to make sure you’re getting what you need
• They respect your time, starting and ending sessions as scheduled

Where Do Dance Therapy Sessions Take Place?

Dance therapy sessions take place in the office or building of the dance movement therapist in either a 1:1 or group therapy setting. Both in-person and virtual therapy are proven effective when utilizing dance movement therapy modality of treatment.

How to Find a Dance Movement Therapist

Finding a trained therapist is your first step if you or a loved one can benefit from dance movement therapy. You can find a therapist by asking people you know and trust for recommendations, checking with your health insurance for a referral list, or using an online therapist directory.