The American Dance Therapy Association 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.”
A dance/movement therapist is a psychotherapist that uses movement and dance as their language to work with patients utilizing and observing non-verbal and verbal communication. Dance therapy is about connecting a person to their body, what they are thinking, and how they are feeling for further understanding of their sense of self for expression, integration, and healing. A person’s body and movements tell a story about where they’ve been, who they are, where they are going, and how they might get there. Dance/movement therapists focus on movement behavior as it emerges in the therapeutic relationship. Expressive, communicative, and adaptive behaviors are all considered for both group and individual treatment. The body and movement provide the means of assessment and the mode of intervention for dance/movement therapy.
Dance therapists 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 private practice.
Dréa’s Dream is a dance/movement therapy program for children with cancer and special needs funded by The Andréa Rizzo Foundation.
The Andréa Rizzo Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization in the United States that provides grants that exclusively fund dance therapy programming for children with cancer and special needs. Services are provided by trained Dance/Movement Therapists (BC-DMTs or R-DMTs) credentialed through the American Dance Therapy Association.
Dr. Lori Baudino, DMT, explains Dance Therapy
The human body can heal itself through dance and movement therapy.” – Dr. Lori Baudino DMT
It’s really how a child becomes aware of their body and uses their body to express their feelings that is at the core and the heart of what we are doing for these children.
– Suzi Tortora, Ed.D., BC-DMT, CMA, LCAT, LMHC