Health, Happiness And Movement Based Treatment

By Joshua Reed


When an individual thinks of therapy, or a therapist, one generally pictures a psychiatrist or psychologist and a couch. Movement based treatment or dance therapy is a different and unique form. It is a form in which different styles of dance are used to enhance bodily emotional, intellectual and motor skills. Whether dancing at a free form community dance, or acquiring therapy, doing so often has the ability to heal body, mind and soul.

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.

While non-alcohol, smoke free, dance jams can be fun and at times, enlightening, these are community events. Whereas, dance and movement oriented therapies are often provided at a clinic. At times, this form of treatment might also provided as part of an overall regimen which includes other aspects of physical therapy. Whether one attends sessions at a local hospital or the office of a local physical therapist, it is essential to follow all plans and guidelines to assure success in sessions and overall healing.

While this type therapy has only been recognized in the United States and Europe since the 1930s, with more development in the 1950s, it is nothing new. Dance and movement therapies have actually been used in the Near East, Greek and Roman civilizations for thousands of years. In fact, it was not until the 1950s when a choreographer, dance teacher and therapist noticed the positive effects movement had on a number of students that dance became an acceptable form of treatment.

Up until the time it was discovered that dance had an effect on the mover, movement was seen primarily as an expressive art. Dance and movement were then established as therapies in the 1950s. After which, a number of professional psychotherapists decided to begin work in the field.

Dance therapy can be divided into two waves with the first beginning in 1942. During this time, the focus remained primarily on the clinical and medical aspects of dance. As a result, a well known therapist began seeing clients on a regular basis at a local hospital. While most often successful, there were also times when a client needed different and unique therapies beyond the standard four stage approach.

After students began to report seeing positive changes to overall health and happiness, doctors began sending clients to receive treatment. After several success stories from these individuals and others, these alternative therapeutic forms became more accepted as valid forms of treatment for emotional and physical aspects of clients.

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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