Dance/movement therapists are frequently challenged to produce “evidence” that dance/movement therapy (DMT) is useful in treatment, a request that can seem at odds with the creative and subjective ways of knowing that they and creative arts therapists in general, employ in practice. In 2014, Koch et al. published a study summarizing and synthesizing research on…

Editor’s Note: Amber Elizabeth Lynn Gray, MA, MPH, LPC/C, BC-DMT, NCC, PhD, is a pioneer in the use of dance/movement therapy with survivors of trauma, particularly torture, war, and human rights abuses. A recent nominee for The Barbara Chester Human Rights award and a featured expert on torture treatment through Tulane University’s Institute of Traumatology,…

Supporting Individuals of All Identities through a Body-Centered Approach The development of a person’s sexual identity within an oppressive system can be complex, variable, and absolutely unique to each individual. In my experience, both personally and in my clinical work with individuals who identify as part of LGBTQIA+ communities, I have developed two main areas…

In the spirit of learning, connecting, and sharing I offer some of the insight I have gained from my work with Veterans and the dance/movement therapy approaches I use to support them in finding balance and feeling at home again. Here are five ways dance/movement therapy can support and empower Veterans. (1)  Provide psycho-education on…

Dance/movement therapists serve individuals connected to the US military in a variety of facets. They have worked with Veterans since the American inception of dance/movement therapy (DMT) in the mid 20th century. Dance/movement therapists also serve individuals in active duty as well as their families. In this interview with Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) Angie Yemma…

Forging New Relationships through Dance/Movement Therapy for Individuals in Recovery Treatment Board-certified dance/movement therapist and registered yoga therapist Emma Barton has over a decade of experience providing movement-based and mindfulness recovery services to individuals experiencing substance abuse. In this ADTA Talk Barton discusses the use of mindfulness in her work. She emphasizes mindfulness not only…

A Window into Dance/Movement Therapy Sessions with Individuals Diagnosed with Mental Illness There’s power in looking silly and not caring that you do. –Amy Pohler I currently work as a dance/movement therapist with adult psychiatric patients who have an array of diagnoses, such as mood disorders, personality disorders, psychosis and a myriad of others. Dance/movement…

Editor’s Note: Heidi Ehrenreich is a second generation dance/movement therapist who has spent her career pioneering ways to integrate the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Dance/Movement Therapy. She believes communication exists on a continuum and spans a wide range of verbal and nonverbal expression. Before 1973, children with special needs were educated in private…

Engaging Individuals with Mental Illness through Dance/Movement Therapy Drawing on more than 25 years working in psychiatric hospitals, dance/movement therapist Ted Ehrhardt, MS, BC-DMT, LCAT, CMA, explains in this ADTA Talk how dance/movement therapy can be a catalyst for those facing mental illness.  With one in five American citizens using a psychotropic medication and 25 percent…

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, Christina Devereaux, PhD, LCAT, LMHC, BC-DMT, NCC, discusses how the essential nature of human to human contact – movement – is fundamental to successfully working with children with an autism spectrum disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 59 children have been diagnosed….