Dance movement psychotherapist : Job description

Dance movement psychotherapists use movement and dance to enable personal, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, physical and social integration and development.

Based on the principle that movement reflects an individual's patterns of thinking and feeling, dance movement psychotherapists acknowledge and support clients' movements, encouraging the development of new movement patterns and the emotional experiences that may accompany these changes.

Dance movement psychotherapists support a broad range of individuals of all ages, including those with:

• emotional or mental health needs;
• physical disabilities;
• addiction or substance abuse problems;
• personal development needs.

Dance movement psychotherapy is practised with both individuals and groups in health, education, community and social service settings and in private practice.

Typical work activities

Typical work activities depend on the particular client group but are likely to include:

• observing the physical movement of individuals to assess their behavioural, cognitive or emotional state;
• delivering therapy sessions with a variety of clients individually or in groups;
• planning a series of movement sessions around a particular client or client group's requirements;
• helping clients overcome physical, personal and emotional difficulties through the medium of movement;
• creating a safe environment in which feelings can be contained, acknowledged and communicated;
• working through areas of personal conflict through interaction with the client, individually or in groups;
• identifying appropriate music resources and creating props for sessions;
• encouraging individuals to interact positively with each other, using role play and other techniques;
• writing reports, updating client records and completing general administrative work;
• attending clinical supervision sessions and, for some therapists, providing clinical supervision to other therapists;
• providing training and teaching on dance movement therapy courses;
• liaising with colleagues and other professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• sharing information about clients with colleagues and relatives as appropriate, while adhering to ethical codes and rules of confidentiality;
• keeping up to date with new developments in the field by attending conferences, meeting with other therapists and/or conducting private research.