Discovering Dance Therapy And Movement Based Treatment

By Joshua Reed


When it comes to music, a number of people love to dance. Whether dancing at a club to a live band, at a disco, or community event, dancing can be fun. Whereas, when it comes to movement based treatment, the ultimate goal is a sense of healing emotional or physical issues or wounds.

Therapists working in dance therapy often use a four stage approach when providing treatment. These stages include, preparation, illumination, evaluation and incubation. First the therapist evaluates the mover, creates a treatment plan, illuminates the issues then institutes the plan for a specific incubation period.

These therapies are often provided in a clinical or medical setting. While community dances such as the many ongoing non-alcohol, smoke-free, barefoot dance jams that occur on an regular basis are often hosted in churches, community centers or schools. In either case, dance is one activity which has the ability to effect the overall health and well being of the dancer. In some cases related to physical injuries, individuals may be sent to a physical therapist who can also integrate movement based therapies into an overall treatment plan.

Dance oriented therapies began thousands of years ago having a positive effect on many different areas of life. These areas include, birth, sickness, health and death. It was not until 1930 that a new philosophy took hold that resulted in the establishment of this treatment in Europe and the United States. After which, many colleges and universities began offering a specialized focus of dance in the field of psychology.

Before being established as a valid form of psychotherapy, dance had always been seen primarily as an expressive form of art. Then, after more of these therapies were established in the 1950s, a number of professionals begin working in the field now known as dance therapy. While there are now programs focused on this type therapy, originally these therapies were provided by general psychologists and psychotherapists around the world.

Throughout history, dance can be divided into two waves. The first wave involved the use of dance in the medical community beginning in 1942. After which, a choreographer, dancer and therapist began to notice the effects dance had on her students. As a result, the field of dance and movement based therapy was created.

Students began to report feelings of overall well being which attracted the attention of others in the medical field. A few doctors began sending clients to classes. It was not long after that a therapist would begin a movement based therapy program at a well known hospital in Washington D. C. It was at this hospital that a number of trials took place. These trials often showed some aspect toward positive change in the life of the individuals participating in various forms of dance therapy.

A new ideology related to dance therapy was formed in the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, a number of therapists began exploring and experimenting with this new aspect of treatment. Several therapists started developing new and exciting applications in the process. After which, these application based therapies were matched with the healing needs of clients.




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