Dance Therapy Information & FAQ

The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual.” (ADTA, 1966). Dance/movement therapists are dancers who are trained in both dance/movement therapy and counseling or psychotherapy. They work in a wide variety of settings, such as psychiatric and medical hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes, community mental health agencies, schools and special education settings, wellness centers, and in private practice.

Drama therapy is the intentional use of drama and/or theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals. Drama therapy is active and experiential. This approach can provide the context for participants to tell their stories, set goals and solve problems, express feelings, or achieve catharsis. Through drama, the depth and breadth of inner experience can be actively explored, and interpersonal relationship skills can be enhanced. Participants can expand their repertoire of dramatic roles to find that their own life roles have been strengthened

Instead of sitting down and talking about your problems, these therapies allow you to take on various roles, emotions, or feelings you are experiencing and “act” them out. This forms new neuro pathways in the brain and allowing for new actions and behaviors to take place. Instead of talking about it, you do it. I like to think of these therapies as additional tools to the traditional verbal therapies. Instead of only sitting and talking about your problems, feelings, and experiences, you can add the opportunity to get up and express them through dance, movement, and drama.

With drama therapy a person needs to enter the imagine realm and “play.” Anyone that can or is willing to try this can do it. In my experience, it is most powerful with children, adults that need to SEE something to understand its meaning, and with men in recovery from addictions. With dance therapy all you need to do is move (if you are breathing you are moving). Movements can be simple like a breath or involve free expression using the entire body.