Dance Therapist

Born as a profession in the 1940s, the dance movement or therapy got its inspiration from the distinctively expressive nature of dance itself. Belonging to the arts therapy and considered one of most fundamental in the world of arts, dance involves the direct experience and expression of one’s self. Recognized as a form of genuine communication, dance is therefore an effective and especially efficient mode of therapy. The American Dance Therapy Association, with their fervent belief that there is an interconnection existing among the body, the spirit, and the mind, defines the profession of dance therapy as the psychotherapeutic utilization of the bodily movement as a process that enhances the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social well-being of the person.

A dance therapist will normally work with anybody—regardless of age—in groups or individually. The basic focus of the profession is to help clients develop high self-esteem and a confident impression of their selves. They aim to achieve this by building their communication skills, expand the vocabulary of their movements, and be well adept about patterns of their own behaviors. Hence, dance therapy serves to be an efficient tool in managing stress and avoiding mental as well as physical health problems. Obviously, movement is the primary basis that the therapists will utilize to assess, research, interact, and plan around with to help in dealing with the client’s problem.

Normally, dance therapists abound in rehabilitation centers, psychiatric establishments, schools, drug treatment centers, medical facilities, and other health care centers.

To be eligible for the training for this profession, one must have graduated with a master’s degree on dance therapy or any related course. Needless to say, those who have graduated from an ADTA-approved dance program are automatically eligible for the DTR or Dance Therapist Registered certification upon satisfactorily completing graduate studies.

Together with an extensive experience and some background in liberal arts and psychology, one is pre qualified for graduate studies on the said course. There is, however, a distinction given between those dance therapists that are prepared to work independently and those dance therapists that are ready to practice the profession in professional settings. Those that carry the title of Dance Therapist Registered have received a master’s degree and are therefore fully qualified to render professional treatment to their clients. Academy of Dance Therapists Registered therapists have fulfilled additional requirements and are likewise capable and qualified to educate, supervise, and engage in independent or private practice.