Dance Therapy : Definition, Benefits, and Practice

This article was originally published on Sous le tapis and written by Margaux Damain, mental health writer and podcaster. 

What exactly is dance therapy? How does it differ from “traditional” dance classes? What are its effects on mental health? Can it heal trauma? Researchers have sought to answer these questions. This article provides a synthesis of recent studies on the subject.

What is dance therapy?

Definition

Dance therapy, or dance-movement therapy, is an approach that facilitates emotional expression through movement to promote physical and psychological well-being.

It is an umbrella term that encompasses both “therapeutic dances” (like Gaga or Biodanza led by dancers) and Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), where sessions are facilitated by therapist-dancers following a specific protocol.

In all cases, dance therapy strengthens the interconnection between body and mind to help participants overcome psychological and emotional difficulties. It operates on the principle that movement reflects personality and provides a direct window into our emotions. As the world-renowned German choreographer Pina Bausch said: “Dance, dance, otherwise we are lost.”

Jargon Focus : Dance Therapy vs. DMT

The terms “dance therapy” and “therapy through dance” are often used interchangeably for any therapeutic movement practice. These practices include sessions led by professional dancers as well as those supervised by therapist-dancers with specific clinical training. The more technical term, “Dance Movement Therapy” (DMT), specifically refers to sessions facilitated by these certified professionals.

History

Dance has been used for its healing properties since ancient times. Many ancestral communities integrated dance into healing rituals, often using trance states to help the sick release repressed emotions. Examples include the Native American “Jingle Dance” and the Senegalese “Ndeup” ritual, used to treat depression. In an article titled Treating Depression with Tribal Wisdom, one American traveler described the Ndeup ritual as a transformative experience that helped him heal from years of depression.

In the West, dance was recognized as a therapeutic tool much later. In 1916, psychiatrist Carl Jung acknowledged dance as a form of psychotherapy. However, it wasn’t until the 1940s that the theoretical foundations were established. Marian Chace, a pioneer in the field, began using movement to treat patients in U.S. hospitals, eventually founding the American Dance Therapy Association in 1965.

What are the psychological benefits of dance?

What does scientific research say? To answer this, I’ve relied on two systematic reviews that provide an overview of current studies.

Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and Emotional Regulation

The first review focuses specifically on DMT and its effects on emotional regulation. 

The participants in the 7 analyzed studies were diverse: adults with depression, inmates, children with anxiety disorders, and adults struggling with substance abuse. 

The research shows that, overall, DMT is an effective approach for improving emotional regulation.

Key positive effects include:

• Reduction of negative symptoms: It decreased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and tension, while also lowering levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).
• Improved general well-being: Participants reported more pleasant emotions, greater relaxation, and a better capacity for emotional expression.
• Lasting effects: These benefits aren’t just temporary. Improvements in children’s behavior and sleep patterns lasted up to six months post-therapy. In adults, reduced cortisol levels were noted long after the sessions ended.
• Personal and social growth: Beyond psychological relief, patients gained better self-awareness and self-confidence. The therapy also fostered positive social connections among participants.

It is worth noting that the studies analyzed in this review focused on small groups of participants. Out of the seven studies reviewed, only one involved a group of more than 50 people. However, despite the small sample sizes, the results of this review demonstrate the effectiveness of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) across a variety of profiles and contexts.

Dance Therapy and Trauma

The second review examines the effects of dance therapy on individuals who have experienced trauma, which can sometimes lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Unlike the first review, this study does not focus exclusively on DMT; researchers also analyzed the effects of various therapeutic dances.

Overall, the studies reviewed show significant improvements among participants:

• Reconnection with Body and Emotions: Participants regained a better awareness of their bodies and sensations. This is a crucial point, as self-awareness is often impaired by the dissociation associated with trauma. Dance facilitated the identification and expression of emotions, providing a sense of release and peace.
• Reconstruction of the Self: The activity allowed participants to feel alive again and enjoy the present moment. Through movement, they were able to rebuild themselves and feel a sense of pride, while also developing a greater capacity to look toward the future.
• Improvement of Social Relations: By helping participants establish physical and spatial boundaries, dance therapy helped create a sense of safety within the group. This encouraged the creation of social bonds, especially when the therapist or facilitator accounted for the group’s cultural specificities and potential difficulties with verbal expression.
• A Healing State of “Flow”: The study highlights the importance of the “flow” state experienced by participants—a state of total immersion in an activity where nothing else matters. Reaching this state during dance helped participants reduce excessive self-consciousness and manage their trauma. While “flow” is a major facilitator of mental healing, entering a deep state of immersion can be frightening for some patients early in the process. Therefore, a trauma-informed therapist is essential to guide this process safely.

How do dance therapy sessions work?

When it comes to therapeutic dances, there are as many facilitation styles as there are types of dance (and teachers!). Consequently, a Gaga class, a Biodanza session, or an intuitive dance workshop will all differ in their approach.

In contrast, sessions conducted under Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) are structured according to a precise protocol taught to therapist-dancers during their clinical training. 

To provide a concise overview of a typical session, I have drawn from the work of two therapist-dancers: Virginie Beraldo (trained at the Autonomous University of Barcelona) and Haguit Ehrenfreund (who holds a Master’s in Dance Therapy from Lesley University in Israel). 

These sessions can be conducted either individually or in groups.

1. Initial Contact and Opening Dialogue

The session begins with a verbal exchange. Participants are invited to share their current state of mind, their concerns, or specific themes they wish to explore. This allows the therapist to tailor the session’s progression to the participants’ psychological and physical needs.

2. Movement and Exploration

Following the dialogue, a warm-up prepares the body for movement. This leads into the main phase, where participants are encouraged to explore their emotions and thoughts through free movement, often supported by music or specific props. In these sessions, authenticity is the only priority. Unlike “traditional” dance classes, there is no emphasis on performance or aesthetics. The therapist may either move alongside the participants or observe them attentively.

“There is a moment when words stop and everything becomes language.”

— Pina Bausch, Dancer and Choreographer

3. Integration and Creative Expression

Once the movement phase concludes, time is set aside to integrate the experience. This can be achieved through other creative mediums such as drawing, writing, or clay modeling, helping to translate and give concrete form to what was experienced during the dance.

4. Verbal Feedback and Conclusion

The session ends with a final verbal exchange. The participant is invited to put their sensations into words and describe their experience. This moment of verbalization is crucial for analyzing and integrating the discoveries made during the session, thereby solidifying the connection between mind and body.

DMT vs. Therapeutic Dance: Key Differences

The fundamental distinction between Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and therapeutic dances lies in the level of qualification and the clinical approach.

• DMT is a psychotherapeutic discipline that requires at least a postgraduate university degree. Therapists are trained to address psychological suffering and are capable of establishing a diagnosis based on movement observation. Sessions typically include a formal verbal assessment.
• Therapeutic Dances are non-clinical approaches that do not require formal medical or psychological qualifications. The focus is on the practice of a specific dance style. The goal is general well-being, without necessarily involving a psychological diagnosis or verbal evaluation. Facilitators are primarily dancers, expert in the specific movement form they teach.

Where to practice?

If you wish to pursue Dance Movement Therapy, you can consult the official directory of therapists published by the Société Française de Danse-Thérapie.

For therapeutic dances, here are several paths to explore:

• Gaga classes (available in-person or remotely)
• Biodanza
• Intuitive dance or Ecstatic dance
• 5 Rhythms

Regardless of the style you choose, the most important factor is the sense of trust you develop with the instructor and within the group. Don’t hesitate to try different classes to find the right fit for you!

About the Author and Project

This article was written by Margaux Damain, founder of Sous le tapis and a writer specialized in mental health. Margaux relies on scientific studies (systematic reviews and meta-analyses) as well as works by psychiatrists and psychologists to make knowledge about psychological well-being accessible. She transforms expert research into content tailored for the general public. Her goal? To democratize mental health and encourage everyone to practice self-care.

About this article:

This article was written in the context of the Erasmus+ KA210- YOU small-scale partnership project “comPASSION is sexy” (Project Code: 2024- 3- FR02- KA210-YOU-000295806), co-funded by the European Union. The project is a collaboration between Les Philentropes (France) and Olotites (Greece), focused on compassion-based approaches to youth empowerment, inclusion, well-being and mental health awareness.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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