What is Dance Movement Psychotherapy?

If you’ve ever felt lighter after dancing around the living room, or more relaxed after moving your body to music, you’ve already experienced a taste of what dance can do for your mental wellbeing. For many people, movement is more than just exercise, it's a way to express emotions, process experiences, and reconnect with the self. This is where Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) comes in.

Whether you're considering a new career path or simply looking for alternative healing methods, this blog helps you understand what dance movement psychotherapy involves, how it works, and why it might be a powerful tool for healing.

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Dance Movement Psychotherapy, also known as dance psychotherapy or dance therapy, is a form of psychological therapy that utilises movement and dance to explore emotions, promote self-awareness, and support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It is grounded in the belief that mind and body are deeply connected, and that movement can communicate things that words sometimes can’t.

The definition of dance movement psychotherapy is a creative form of therapy that helps people to express themselves through movement. It’s not about being a good dancer; in fact, no dance experience is necessary at all. It’s about using the body to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe and supported way.

Trauma is often stored in the body, not just the mind. By allowing people to access these body-based memories gently, release held tension, and rewrite movement patterns, DMP can support trauma recovery. Movement helps regulate the nervous system, rebuild trust in the body, and restore a sense of safety.

A dance movement psychotherapist is trained to observe and interpret body movement and help clients explore these movements as part of a wider therapeutic process. They work with individuals or groups, often in schools, hospitals, mental health services, care homes, or private practice.

During a session, the therapist may use free movement, structured exercises, guided improvisation, or themed dances, tailoring the approach to meet someone’s needs. These professionals are skilled in creating a safe, non-judgemental space where people can move freely, reflect, and sometimes uncover insights that are difficult to express verbally.

No two dance movement therapy sessions are alike, but they often begin with a check-in, either through talking or gentle movement. The therapist may introduce music or props, or suggest specific types of movement. Some sessions may feel playful, while others may bring deeper emotional release.

You don’t need to know how to dance. The focus is on expression, not performance. Therapeutic dance movement allows you to connect with your feelings in a physical way, often leading to a sense of release, clarity, or calm.

Sessions could involve mirroring movements between therapist and client, exploring how certain movements feel, or simply allowing the body to guide the experience.

Imagine a child struggling with anxiety who finds it difficult to talk about their feelings. In a dancing therapy session, the child might be encouraged to move to the rhythm of a soft drumbeat, with the therapist gradually joining in and matching the child’s pace. This interaction helps build trust and encourages emotional expression through movement, creating a sense of safety and connection.

The core principles include:

These principles guide the work of every dance and movement therapist, supporting people through physical and emotional healing.

Dance and therapy work well together across many different groups. People of all ages and backgrounds benefit from DMP, including:

Dance movement therapy helps anyone who might benefit from expressing themselves in a non-verbal way, or who feels more connected through movement than words.

Dance therapy movement has been used to support a wide range of issues:

Research continues to grow in this area, but many studies and personal accounts support the effectiveness of dance movement psychotherapy. It’s been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood, increase self-esteem, and even enhance cognitive and motor functions.

The theoretical foundations of DMP come from psychodynamic, humanistic, and body-oriented approaches. Movement is seen as a reflection of unconscious processes, and the therapist uses this understanding to support the client in their emotional and psychological growth.

The DMT approach also draws on neuroscience, developmental psychology, and creative arts therapies. The idea is that movement is a way to process, transform, and heal.

While there is no strict formula, many therapists follow a general flow:

These stages allow space for safety, exploration, and emotional processing.

Studies show that dance movement psychotherapy can improve mood, increase serotonin, and help with emotional expression. Dance therapy helps with anxiety by calming the nervous system, building body awareness, and offering a creative outlet for worries or fears.

Regular dance therapy classes can also promote routine, social connection, and mindfulness — all helpful for emotional wellbeing.

For those on the autism spectrum, DMP can support communication, emotional expression, motor skills, and social interaction. It’s non-verbal, structured yet flexible, and often more comfortable than traditional talk therapies.

Dance therapy helps autism through mirroring, rhythm, and play, it provides a way for people to connect and express themselves at their own pace.

You don’t have to be a professional to start exploring therapeutic dance. Many community groups and private practitioners offer dance therapy classes. To go deeper or work with others, professional training is essential.

Interested in how to practise dance therapy? Look for accredited training programmes or diploma courses, like our Dance Movement Psychotherapy Diploma Course.

While DMP is gentle and adaptable, there are a few things to be mindful of:

Therapists are trained to adapt sessions and work alongside other professionals when needed.

In the UK, becoming a dance movement psychotherapist typically involves completing a master’s degree in dance movement psychotherapy, often following a background in psychology, social care, performing arts, or health sciences.

You’ll also need experience in dance and some form of psychological training. Supervised practice is a core part of the training, preparing you to work safely and ethically.

If you're looking to get started, our Dance Movement Psychotherapy Diploma Course offers the perfect introduction to the subject.

Salaries for dance movement psychotherapists vary depending on experience and setting. In the NHS, newly qualified therapists often start on Band 6 (around £35,000), with more experienced professionals earning more.

If we’ve sparked your curiosity, why not explore dance movement psychotherapy further? Whether you’re considering a career change, adding to your skills, or deepening your understanding of dance and therapy, Centre of Excellence offers a comprehensive Dance Movement Psychotherapy Diploma Course.

It’s perfect for beginners or professionals, with flexible online learning you can do at your own pace. And right now, you can enrol for just £29!