Dance & Movement Therapy

Survivors of the Rwandan genocides gained less than nothing from Western trauma therapists. A tiny windowless tiny room reviving traumatic memories to a stranger isn’t the Rwandan’s way. It doesn’t heal their wounds. It pours salt on them. 

The Rwandans heal mental and emotional trauma by singing, dancing and drumming. Out in the sunlight with their friends and families. Dance, song and movement are proven methods of healing mental and emotional trauma. Since long before recorded history. 

Native American and other tribal healers have used dance as a healing art for thousands of years. Such as the Lakota Indian Sun Dance and the Arabic Sufi whirling dervishes. The Chinese use Tai Chi, a combo of dance and martial arts, in formal medical practice. 

 

Doctors in England saw the benefits of movement for physical and mental trauma in the 19th century. From there, many dance therapy theories developed in the UK. Influenced by USA modern dancers, such as Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey.

Movement and nonverbal and verbal communication to manage psychological and behavior glitches. Where words alone don’t do the job. Certified dance therapist, Erica Hornthal, MA, LCPC, BC-DMT, explains “It’s about finding the places inside that you might not know or have chosen to deny, and giving a voice to the experiences and emotions.” 

Movement therapy in America started in World War II. In California, time dancer and mime artist, Trudi Schoop, was working with patients. In Washington DC, psychiatrists found patients in dance class made more progress than other patients. Dance teacher, Marian Chace, then requested working at that hospital. And the field of dance therapy was born. 

The American Dance Therapy Association, ADTA, was then founded in 1956. Now the primary certifying body for dance therapists in the 21st century. Recognized by USA federal agencies and health care programs. The ADTA serves dance therapists in over thirty countries around the world. 

Certification as a dance movement therapist is extensive. Requiring a masters degree from an ADTA approved training program. Clinical practitioners in dance therapy are masters in movement, physiology and psychology. Over 3,000 hours of training. Plus 700 hours in supervised clinical situations. To receive the Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT) credential.

Dance movement therapy, DMT, releases tensions that hold in negative feelings. Providing self-expression for those feelings. Dance movement therapy, DMT, has solid scientific training and research. It’s also embraced by holistic healers for DMT’s integration of body and mind. 

A DMT session is different for each person. Sense of safety, access to the body, and personal familiarity with authentic expression. DMT therapists provide a space to experience an invitation. A sense of choice, validation, and to tolerate internal sensations. Compassionate and supportive to feel in control and autonomy within your body. 

DMT sessions customize the music and movements for each patient. This can be a one on one session. Where therapist and patient work through very private feelings. Dance therapists sometimes use mirroring, copying another person's movements. Others are group sessions to address socialization issues. Or group dance to encourage people supporting of others. The therapist designs and facilitates the sessions. Creating a safe environment, physically and psychologically.

DMT benefits promote calm, self-awareness and Coping skills. DMT looks different for everyone. Depending on sense of safety, access to the body, and personal familiarity. Along with an authentic expression of the body.“Dance/movement therapy’s basic premise is that ‘body movement reflects inner emotional states and that changes in movement behavior can lead to changes in the psyche, thus promoting health and growth’" Fran Levy in Dance/Movement Therapy: A Healing Art.1988

I studied and worked in art and dance for 10 years. Then 10 years in festival and events and dancing at the events. Then 10 years sitting at a computer and losing my mind. Researching and writing this piece reminded me that dance, art and music are my best therapy. Where I can transform myself under my own volition. And more fun than a jogging machine for keeping fit.

“Dance first. Think later.” Samuel Beckett 

Article written by Deborah Paulino “Would you like to save the world from the degradation and destruction it seems destined for? Then step away from shallow mass movements and quietly go to work on your own self-awareness. If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.” Lao Tzu