What does a Dance Therapist do?
The power of structured movement like dance to aid physical rehabilitation and improve coordination, strength, and health is well known. However, few are aware that dance and movement activities can also improve psychological, emotional, and behavioral health. Dance therapists work on the understanding that the body and mind are deeply connected, and utilize this connection both to assess and treat their patients.
At a Glance
Dance/movement therapists generally complete graduate education approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) or an alternate route that meets ADTA requirements, followed by supervised clinical experience and professional credentialing. State licensure requirements vary according to the practitioner’s underlying mental-health profession and location.
Dance therapists work in a wide variety of settings, from medical, rehabilitation, and drug treatment facilities to schools, community centers, and prisons. They can also create their own opportunities by founding private practices, or work within a local community as freelancers.
Dance performance and choreography in a wide variety of genres; assessing clients' needs and developing treatments; teaching; anatomy; research; establishing therapeutic relationships; empathy
Dance therapists should strive to be patient, perceptive, and persistent. Analytical skills are helpful in assessing clients' needs and interpreting their communication through movement, but perhaps more critical are empathy and emotional openness, which can go a long way towards making clients feel safe and comfortable.
Dance therapists might work a fairly predictable daily schedule in a school, hospital, or mental health institution, combine a number of small gigs in different settings, or create their own schedule working out of a private practice. While dance therapists might spend some time at a desk organizing clientele, seeking out new jobs, or taking care of billing and other paperwork, the majority of their workday is spent on their feet with clients.
