Dance & Movement Therapy (DMT) is formally defined by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) as:
“the psychotherapeutic use of movement to integrate our emotional, social, cognitive and physical selves.”
In today’s modern world, particularly in the United States, the body is often ignored, not trusted, and presumed upon… forced to deal with what we - or our minds - put it through, no matter how it feels. It is a tool meant to serve us unconditionally and silently.
Part of the work in DMT is to re-write this narrative, and develop our partnership with ourselves, including our bodies. The other part of DMT is to process our experiences and feelings through expression with the body.
Our bodies are the first to experience and respond to every interaction we have in life, but it is often ignored and deprioritized in favor of our mind’s interpretation and meaning-making of these interactions. Instead of detangling our minds as talk-therapy often does, DMT heals at the source by prioritizing and listening to what our body is trying to tell us.
Oftentimes the reason change is so difficult is because our bodies are holding onto something that we have not allowed the time and space to process. Once we do that, it is incredible how much freer and empowered we feel to embrace change and go after the things we want in life.
What if your feelings of being stuck, misunderstood, abandoned, in pain, anxious, and more are actually a reflection of your body and what it is storing? This is where we can begin.
What happens in a DMT session?
DMT sessions can occur individually, in a small group, or in larger group workshops. Each session invites you into a gentle, intuitive journey back into your body before determining where we would like our movement to begin. Every session can look very different and is designed to support each client in their own unique ways, but here is an example of what it could look like:
- Brief check-in to set intentions or express needs
- Soft warm-up to awaken your body and tune in
- Guided or free-form movement (your dance, no choreography, just intuition)
- Time for reflection (silence/stillness, verbal processing, art making, journaling, etc)
Over time, a deeper understanding of how our movements, shapes, sequences, postures, speed and direction impact our lives and how we can use them to influence and empower us in our future. All movement is invitational - you are always in charge of how and when you participate.
Who Can Benefit From DMT?
- Individuals navigating stress, anxiety, grief, or overwhelm
- Individuals healing from trauma who feel "stuck" in talk therapy
- People who struggle to express emotions with words
- Artists and creatives needing inspiration or release
- Anyone who feels disconnected from their body or inner world
- Anyone who is craving reconnection with themselves or others
- Neurodivergent individuals who thrive with somatic and sensory experiences
- Anyone craving joyful, embodied, and intuitive movement
- Those interested in holistic or spiritual approaches to healing
- People longing for more play, softness, or freedom in their lives
- People looking for something to open a pathway toward healing, integration, and empowerment
