Dance and Therapy!

Article by Virginia Lauterbach, MA

Do you ever feel like you don’t have the words to express how you feel? Perhaps you find yourself constantly stressed, with tense shoulders and a locked jaw. Or maybe you find yourself struggling to connect with others.

What Is Dance/Movement Therapy and How Can It Help Me?

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a form of psychotherapy that began in the 1940s. Marian Chace is considered the first dance/movement therapist, but before this, she was an esteemed professional dancer and teacher. Her lens focused more on the individual’s unique movement than their technique. As her career as a dance teacher progressed, she began working in a psychiatric hospital in Washington D.C., running a group called “Dance for Communication.” DMT was born! Since this inception, dance/movement therapy has been adapted to work with individuals, couples, and families. The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual.”

Essentially, dance/movement therapy uses elements of movement to achieve therapeutic goals. Some of these goals could be:

Enhanced understanding of emotions: Dance/movement therapy helps individuals identify sensations in their bodies that are linked to emotions. Movement allows feelings to surface in a nonverbal, more authentic way.
Ability to regulate the body in stressful situations: DMT helps with emotional regulation, giving individuals the capability to calm themselves down in stressful situations.
Improved social connection with others: Dance/movement therapy enhances nonverbal communication, trust, and attunement with others.

Dance/movement therapy is extremely versatile and can be integrated into your therapy practice in various ways, such as through breathwork, guided body scans, or free movement. If you are wanting to try therapy in a new way that goes beyond traditional talk therapy, dance/movement therapy can be the next step for you.

by Virginia Lauterbach, MA

Virginia Lauterbach, MA is a therapist in our Fishtown offices. Virginia offers services in person and online through our HIPAA compliant platform. She supports individuals, couples, and families as they navigate their relationships, family dynamics, infidelity, trauma, and life transitions. To schedule an appointment, click here.

A BETTER LIFE THERAPY

A Better Life Therapy was founded in 2013 with a passion for providing warm, compassionate services to individuals and families in Pennsylvania. Our team specializes in relationship health as well as individual mental health. Our team has expertise in areas like anxiety, grief, depression, pregnancy related issues, sexual issues, substance use and trauma.