Find Dance Movement Therapy

Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is a form of body-centered psychotherapy that uses movement as a way to express, explore, and regulate emotions. Grounded in the belief that the mind and body are deeply interconnected, DMT supports healing by engaging physical movement to unlock emotional processing — especially when verbal expression feels difficult or inaccessible.

Unlike dance classes focused on technique, Dance Movement Therapy is rooted in clinical psychology and somatic awareness. Sessions might include guided movement, breathwork, posture exploration, or improvised gestures — all led by a licensed dance therapist trained to observe, support, and mirror emotional experience through body-based techniques.

By tapping into movement, DMT helps bypass cognitive defenses, access deep emotional layers, and promote balance in the nervous system — offering a unique path toward resilience and healing.

Movement therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for a wide range of emotional, developmental, and physical health concerns. Some of the conditions supported by Dance Movement Therapy include:

• Trauma and complex PTSD
• Anxiety and panic disorders
• Depression and mood disturbances
• Grief and unresolved loss
• Eating disorders and body image issues
• Attachment and relational difficulties
• Autism spectrum and neurodevelopmental differences
• Sensory processing disorders
• Chronic pain and medical trauma
• Emotional dysregulation and dissociation
• Psychosomatic symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or muscle tension DMT offers a particularly powerful approach for clients whose emotional pain is held physically — in tension, posture, breath, or movement habits — even when they can't yet find the words.

Dance therapy can help a wide range of individuals, especially those who feel emotionally stuck or disconnected from their bodies. Ideal candidates include:

• Adults who feel “numb,” over-intellectualized, or dissociated in traditional therapy
• Trauma survivors who carry unspoken or nonverbal emotional pain
• Children and teens who express themselves more easily through movement than words
• Medical patients living with chronic illness, fatigue, or pain who seek integrative healing
• Caregivers and healthcare workers facing burnout, stress, or secondary trauma
• Neurodivergent individuals, including those on the autism spectrum, who benefit from sensory and movement-based emotional support
• Highly sensitive people or those with strong somatic-emotional responses
• Clients with developmental or learning differences that affect emotional regulation Movement therapy for trauma is especially impactful for people who feel “frozen,” disconnected, or shut down in the face of overwhelming experiences. By engaging the body directly, DMT can restore vitality, presence, and a sense of agency.

Each Dance Movement Therapy session is guided by the client’s needs, comfort, and readiness. A typical session may include:

• Grounding and emotional check-in through verbal sharing or mindful breathing
• Movement observation, where the therapist attunes to posture, breath, tension, and nonverbal patterns
• Guided movement exercises, such as:
  • Structured sequences that promote focus and rhythm
  • Improvised movement to express feelings and shift stuck energy
  • Mirroring techniques where the therapist reflects the client’s movement for deeper connection
  • Breathwork, body scans, or stillness to support calm and presence Movement may be subtle or expressive — there’s no right or wrong way to move in DMT. The therapist helps the client explore sensations and emotional shifts, often followed by verbal reflection to integrate insight. Sessions always prioritize safety, consent, and emotional pacing.

Dance Movement Therapy works by accessing emotional memory and regulation systems that reside in the body. Here’s how:

• Activates the sensorimotor system, which is often disrupted by trauma or chronic stress
• Stimulates the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system, supporting relaxation and regulation
• Engages nonverbal pathways, allowing expression of emotions that words can't fully access
• Releases held tension and trauma stored in muscle patterns or body posture
• Builds emotional resilience through embodied awareness and flexibility
• Reinforces self-connection and self-regulation, helping clients respond to stress more effectively Clients often report feeling more present, more emotionally connected, and more in control of their bodies after sessions — even if they entered feeling tense, scattered, or shut down.

Not at all. Dance Movement Therapy is a licensed form of psychotherapy, not a recreational or performance-based dance experience. Key differences:

• No choreography, no judgment — the goal is emotional healing, not dance skill
• No experience necessary — anyone can benefit, regardless of movement background
• Safe, supportive space — created by a trained movement therapist to explore and release emotion
• Personal pace and process — movement may be large or subtle, depending on the client’s comfort
• The therapist guides clients in self-expression, not perfection While it may involve movement, DMT is not about “dancing well” — it’s about using movement to connect, communicate, and heal.

Dance Movement Therapy and talk therapy complement each other, but they work in different ways. Here’s how DMT stands apart:

• Engages the body first, bypassing cognitive defenses or verbal resistance
• Allows for emotional processing without speaking
• Helps trauma survivors “unfreeze” when words aren’t available
• Uses nonverbal techniques to explore shame, fear, grief, and relational wounds
• Facilitates healing for people who have plateaued or felt stuck in traditional verbal approaches

DMT is particularly helpful for people who say “I don’t know what I feel” — because their body may already be telling the story.

Dance Movement Therapy is provided by trained, credentialed mental health professionals with specialization in movement-based psychotherapy. Qualified providers may include:

• Registered Dance/Movement Therapists (R-DMT) or Board Certified DMTs (BC-DMT)
• Therapists certified through the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) or equivalent bodies
• Licensed psychotherapists with additional DMT credentials
• Trauma therapists who integrate somatic and expressive arts therapy approaches

Look for a provider who combines clinical training with expertise in somatic movement, and who aligns with your therapeutic needs and identity.

Yes — while research is still growing, numerous studies and clinical reports support the effectiveness of Dance Movement Therapy. Evidence highlights:

• Reductions in symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Improvements in emotional regulation and nervous system stability
• Enhanced body awareness and self-esteem
• Greater interpersonal connection, especially in group DMT settings
• Positive outcomes in eating disorder recovery, grief processing, and trauma work

DMT is increasingly recognized within trauma-informed care models as a valuable body-based healing modality, and it's used in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, and rehabilitation programs around the world.

Duration of Dance Therapy depends on the individual’s needs, goals, and life circumstances. Treatment plans may include:

• Short-term therapy (8–12 sessions) for focused goals like stress or grief
• Long-term therapy for deep trauma healing or complex emotional recovery
• Integration with other therapy modalities — such as CBT, somatic experiencing, or talk therapy — as part of a broader care plan

Therapists regularly assess progress and collaborate with clients to determine the ideal course of treatment.