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The use of Dance Therapy in treating anxiety, depression, and severe stress

As mentioned above, dance therapy can be used to treat numerous illnesses, disorders, and ailments. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, clinical depression, and severe stress. Though these disorders can be comorbid, and are often referred to as being associated with each other, they are each an individual issue. Anxiety disorders can be defined as a group of mental disorders, in which a severe, and sometimes permanent state of worry, is the dominant symptom . Clinical depression focuses more on thoughts and feelings of sadness, chronic gloom, inadequacy, and lack of activity . Severe stress is simply worry that may arise from a difficult situation . Though they each have their own identity, dance therapy seems to have the same effects on all three. With each issue, there is a form of stress associated with it, so dance therapy is used to calm that stress. Dance therapy also gives results that medications do not. While medications may have side affects, such as tremor or nervousness, dance therapy strengthens the body . Anxiety, depression, and severe stress have the potential to affect all aspects of a person's well-being: physical, social, mental/emotional. Dance therapy has been shown to improve each of those areas. In previous studies, it was confirmed that dance therapy aids in the improvement of physical health, Psychological domain, social relations, global value, and general life .

Education

Because becoming a dance therapist requires a graduate degree of at least a Master's level, the undergraduate track that a student chooses to take is very important, as well. There is no specific undergraduate degree that a student is required to obtain. However, it is highly recommended that they choose a degree in a behavioral science, like Psychology, or in something related to dance, such as Performing Arts .

There are only 6 ADTA approved master's programs from which to earn Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT) credentials: Antioch University New England in New Hampshire, Columbia College Chicago in Illinois, Drexel University in Pennsylvania, Lesley University in Massachusetts, Naropa University in Colorado, and Pratt Institute in New York [1]. Each of these programs require two to three years of study. Students are expected to complete sixty to sixty-two credit hours, along with an internship/practicum of two to four semesters .

Those with a master's or doctoral degree in a human services-related field may have the option to become an R-DMT via Alternate Route [2].

In addition to the R-DMT, which stands for Registered Dance Movement Therapist, there is the BC-DMT, which stands for Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist. The R-DMT requires a master’s degree with 700 hours of supervised clinical work, while the BC-DMT is the “advanced” qualification requiring a master’s degree of 3,640 hours of supervised clinical work and passing a grueling exam.[39]

There are five universities in the United Kingdom that offer graduate programs in Dance Movement Therapy and have been approved by the ADMP-UK: Dance Voice Therapy and Education Centre, Bristol, Derby University, Goldsmiths University of London, University of Roehampton, and Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Goldsmiths University even offers a doctoral degree in dance therapy. Each of these programs require two to three years of study, depending on whether the student chooses to take a full-time or part-time track. The curriculum is quite rigorous. The students are expected to complete a total of 240 credit hours, or more, in the short time they are enrolled. Along with regular coursework, students are obligated to undergo psychotherapy while in the program. Most programs also require that each student create their own method of dance therapy prior to graduation .

Principles

The theory of DMT is based upon the idea that "the body and mind are inseparable".[8] DMT rests on certain theoretical principles, which are that Body and mind interact, so that a change in movement affects total functioning; that movement reflects personality; that the therapeutic relationship is mediated partly non-verbally, for example through the therapist's mirroring the client’s movement; that movement has a symbolic function and as such can reveal unconscious processes; that movement improvisation allows the client to experiment with new ways of being; and that DMT can permit the recapitulation of early object relationships through non-verbal mediation.[3]

Through the unity of the body, mind, and spirit, DMT provides a sense of wholeness to all individuals.[8]

Dance therapy works to improve the social skills, as well as relational dynamics among the clients that choose to participate in it. Through this form of therapy clients will gain a deeper sense of self-awareness through a meditative a process that involves movement, motion, and realization of one's body . Dance therapy is focuses on that it is different from other forms of rehabilitative treatments because it allows creative expression and is more holistic, meaning it treats the full person: mind, body, and spirit.

Effectiveness

Dance therapy has been deemed effective in the treatment of those with developmental, medical, social, physical, and psychological impairments. It has been used as treat people with mental and psychological problems and reduction of stress and anxiety for those with chronic diseases and/or cancer. Dance therapy effectiveness also is seen in enhancement of range of movement (ROM), freedom of total body movement,and improvement of mood, body image, and self-esteem.. Dance therapy is often coupled with the use of Applied Behavioral Analysis. The therapist not only focuses on and follows the client's need, but they also mirror the client's style . Simply put, the therapist uses this method to gain experience and incite into the client's world, so that they may offer the most effective methods of dance therapy possible.