Dance therapy, or Dance movement therapy (sometimes referred to as choreotherapy), is the psychotherapeutic use of movement (and dance) for emotional, cognitive, social, behavioural and physical conditions. It is a special form of creative therapy. Psychotherapy is a set of techniques intended to cure or improve psychological and behavioral problems in humans. ... A contemporary dancer rehearsing in a dance studio Dance (from Old French dance, further history unknown) generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression (see also body language) or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. ... The term cognition is used in several different loosely related ways. ... The adjective social implies that the verb or noun to which it is applied is somehow more communicative, cooperative, and moderated by contact with human beings, than if it were omitted. ... Antonym of psychical. ...

Dance therapy is based on the premise that the body and mind are interrelated. Mental and emotional problems can result in muscle tension and constrained movement patterns compounding the original condition. Conversely, the state of the body can affect mental and emotional wellbeing both positively and negatively. A contemporary dancer rehearsing in a dance studio Dance (from Old French dance, further history unknown) generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression (see also body language) or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. ... Therapy (in Greek: θεραπεία) or treatment is the attempted remediation of a health problem, usually following a diagnosis. ...

The name Dance movement therapy is more precise, because this form of therapy is not about achieving defined forms of dance. Even standing still is considered a dance. Among therapists there is still a debate whether music should be used.

Dance therapy can be applied to all form of psychic and psychosomatic disorders. Through the experience in movement and dance, patients are not only touched physically but also emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Marian Chace is one of the founders of modern dance therapy.

Further reading

• Payne, H.L. (2000). Creative Movement and Dance in Groupwork. Oxon:Speechmark
• Chodorow, J. (1991). Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology. London
• Lewis, P. (1984; 1986). Theoretical Approaches in Dance Movement Therapy. Vols I & II, USA: Kendall/Hunt.
• North, M. (1990). Personality Assessment Through Movement. Northcote House.
• Payne, H. (ed). (1992). Dance Movement Therapy: Theory and Practice. Tavistock / Routledge.
• Siegel, E. (1984). Dance Movement Therapy: Mirror of Ourselves: The Psychoanalytic Approach. New York: Human Science Press.
• Stanton-Jones, K. (1992). An Introduction to Dance Movement Therapy in Psychiatry. London: Tavistock/Routledge.

External links

• International Institute for Dance Therapy (http://www.dancetherapy.com/)
• The Association for Dance Movement Therapy in UK (http://www.admt.org.uk/)
• Japan Dance Therapy Association (http://www.jadta.net/)
• American Dance Therapy Association (http://www.adta.org/)