Dance Therapy

Key Takeaways

• Dance therapy, officially known as dance/movement therapy (DMT), is a form of psychotherapy that uses dance to improve symptoms of psychiatric, physical, and cognitive conditions, while also supporting social skills. The modality has been found effective as a complementary treatment when facilitated by a qualified therapist.
• DMT shows promise in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depressive and anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders. It is also an effective adjunct approach for individuals with schizophrenia, eating disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Dance therapy has been shown to enhance motor skills, improve body image, and strengthen multiple cognitive abilities. Additionally, research on elderly adults and those with Parkinson’s disease shows that it can improve walking, balance, and coordination, while also reducing pain and boosting quality of life for conditions like fibromyalgia.

What is Dance Therapy?

According to the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), dance therapy (technically known as dance/movement therapy) involves using dance movements as a form of psychotherapy to improve an individual's mental, physical, social, and cognitive well-being, to enhance overall health. ^[1]

Movement is a form of nonverbal communication that begins in the womb and continues throughout life. Like other forms of creative arts therapies, dance/music therapy (DMT) recognizes that nonverbal language can express just as much, if not more, than verbal language, and incorporates both forms of self-expression into the therapeutic process. ^[1]

Dance/movement therapy centers around the concept that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, with each holistic facet influencing and reflecting one another. In other words, the way an individual feels and thinks can influence their movement, and conversely, the way a person moves their body has an impact on their emotions and mental state. ^[1]

In light of this, movement and dance can serve both as an indicator of overall well-being and a primary means of improving holistic health. Over and above this, movement can serve multiple purposes, including: ^[1]

• Functional: Supports day-to-day tasks and physical needs.
• Developmental: Supports growth, learning, and skill acquisition.
• Communicative: Expresses thoughts, emotions, or intentions to others.
• Expressive: Conveys emotions, creativity, or personal meaning.

DMT therapists observe and assess movement through the lens of these functions, guiding their sessions as movement unfolds within the therapeutic setting. Offering a wide range of holistic advantages for individuals, couples, and groups, dance/music therapy can be particularly beneficial for those who struggle to articulate challenging emotions or experiences. ^[1]

Dance versus Dance/Movement Therapy

While there is currently no universally accepted definition of dance therapy (DT), technically, the title broadly refers to any therapeutic practice that incorporates dance techniques. That being said, the terms dance therapy and dance/movement therapy are often used interchangeably (even among the scientific community) to refer to an evidence-based therapeutic dance practice. ^{[2] [3]}

Therefore, although informal dancing has played an integral role in cultural healing and traditional rituals since ancient times, and has been found to benefit emotional expression, social connection, and physical health, the experience of dancing in a non-psychotherapeutic context differs significantly from dance/movement therapy (DMT). ^[3]

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a specialized professional field where practitioners are trained dancers with a master’s degree in psychological theory, trauma-informed practices, and movement assessment. These qualifications enable DMT therapists to safely facilitate the processing of complex emotions or memories that arise through movement. ^[3]

Both informal dance and dance/movement therapy offer valuable benefits, yet the practices differ significantly in purpose and the role of the facilitator. Essentially, what sets these practices apart is whether the focus centers around enjoyment or skill, as opposed to the supervised exploration of thoughts, emotions, memories, and personal growth. ^[3]

Purpose and Goals of Practice

The purpose of informal dance is typically recreational, and offers benefits such as relaxation, increased confidence, and general well-being. On the other hand, dance/movement therapy is a form of psychotherapy focused on how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can be released, expressed, and processed to support holistic health. ^[3]

In terms of mental health conditions, while DMT clients may encounter uncomfortable feelings during sessions, the process of having one’s body language interpreted by a qualified therapist supports insight development and lasting personal growth, as opposed to dancing ability or an instant yet temporary sense of upliftment often experienced with therapeutic dance. ^[3]

Role of the Facilitator

Another key difference between recreational dance and DMT lies in the relationship between the participant and the facilitator. In non-therapeutic dance classes, an instructor leads the group, guiding participants (who assume the role of students) through movements that may or may not include elements of self-expression or improvisation. ^[3]

In contrast, a dance/music therapy session is facilitated by a licensed therapist, who supports clients in exploring the connections between movement and the emotions it evokes. The therapist may introduce specific movement interventions aimed at supporting psychological and emotional change, focusing on healing as opposed to simply teaching dance techniques. ^[3]

Is Dance Therapy the Same as Movement Therapy?

While both dance therapy and movement therapy are complementary psychological approaches that center around the mind-body connection, essentially, dance therapy falls under the umbrella term of movement therapy.

Movement therapy is a broader term that can include any therapeutic use of movement, including physical rehabilitation, exercise-based interventions, or recreational movement, and does not necessarily involve the emotional focus central to dance/movement therapy.

Origin of Dance Therapy

Dance has been used as a practice that connects the body, mind, and soul since ancient times, yet the origins of dance therapy are fairly modern, and date back to the 1940s, when Western innovators began formalizing dance as a psychotherapeutic tool, intending to establish a professional and standardized approach to its therapeutic application. ^{[1] [2]}

Among the many accomplished dancers who recognized the psychological benefits of dance before founding dance therapy, one of the most well-recognized contributors was Marion Chace, who redirected her attention from dance technique and education to her students’ unique movement expressions.

In around 1945, Chace was invited to join St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, DC, where she worked with patients who were nonverbal, withdrawn, and emotionally shut down. Renowned for her ability to transform dance into an unspoken language of self-expression, Chace achieved notable success in improving the symptoms of these patients.

By guiding them to engage with movement, interact physically, and dance with her (often using music to mirror their motions, establish eye contact, encourage gentle physical contact, and waltz to rhythmic patterns), she was able to invoke positive psychiatric responses and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of movement and dance.

How Does Dance Therapy Help with Mental Health?

A 2019 large-scale review that analyzed 41 previous studies found that dance therapy can improve mental health by supporting the somatic expression of emotions, enhancing the mind-body connection, improving overall mood, supporting social connection, providing therapeutic guidance, strengthening thought processes, and enhancing physical health. ^[4]

• Connecting the mind and body: Dance/movement therapy has been found to help individuals reconnect with their bodies, increasing physical awareness, self-acceptance, self-compassion, and self-esteem, subsequently supporting not only the mind-body connection but also psychiatric well-being.
• Boosting mood through movement: Like all forms of physical activity, the dance movements utilized in DMT facilitate the release of feel-good brain chemicals (including endorphins and serotonin), which boost overall mood, reduce stress, and support relaxation and enjoyment.
• Social connection: Group dance therapy has been shown to promote social connection and bonding, better communication skills, and improved relationships. These benefits can lead to a sense of belonging and empowerment, while reducing feelings of isolation and improving mental health.
• Expressing emotions through the body: Dance therapy facilitates non-verbal emotional release and self-expression through the use of creative body movements. This has been found to assist in managing complex emotions, reducing psychiatric symptoms, enhancing emotional regulation, and strengthening resilience.

Dance as a Bridge Between the Subconscious and Conscious Mind

When individuals dance within a therapeutic context, the analytical mind and mental chatter often become subdued, allowing deeper layers of thought, emotion, and memory to emerge. This shift creates a state of embodiment and presence, commonly described as being “in the flow,” where creative insight, intuition, and emotional understanding naturally unfold.

As movement becomes more intentional, the body automatically expresses what the mind may not have the language to articulate. In other words, complex emotions and experiences (along with their corresponding thought patterns and perceptions) that are stored below conscious awareness can surface through rhythm, gesture, and sensation.

The role of a dance/music therapist is to interpret these movements to help clients reconnect with suppressed parts of themselves and process unresolved feelings. Beyond these benefits, DMT also serves to release tension through the catharsis of movement, which serves to support a deeper connection with the self and others.

This is due to the fact that moving to a rhythm or in synchrony can cultivate self-discovery, empathy, authenticity, and a sense of belonging. By attending regular dance/movement therapy sessions, individuals often learn to trust their inner impulses, expand their consciousness, and experience deeper harmony between the body, mind, and soul.

What Conditions Can Dance Therapy Be Used for?

While dance therapy is a complementary approach (meaning that it should only be used alongside talk-based therapies and medication), when used in this manner, the modality shows promising results for a wide range of mental health conditions. That said, most scientific literature on the psychiatric efficacy of dance/movement therapy calls for further research.

Depressive Disorders

According to a 2024 review, dance/movement therapy generally has a positive impact and serves to reduce the symptoms of depression in many individuals with depressive disorders. The most noticeable improvements were found in individuals with mild depression, while the results for those experiencing more severe depression were less consistent. ^[5]

Anxiety Disorders

Recent research has revealed that through movement, individuals with anxiety can release built-up tension and calm the nervous system, thereby leading to reduced stress levels and racing thoughts, along with improved sleep quality and enhanced relaxation. Dance therapy also boosts chemicals that support mood and brain development, leading to a calmer mental state. ^[6]

Trauma-Related Disorders

A 2023 study reports that dance therapy offers a holistic means of supporting healing from psychological trauma by engaging the body and mind. More specifically, the paper found that dance therapy shows promise in helping to manage both the physical and emotional effects of trauma, including avoidance and dissociation. ^[2]

Substance Use Disorders

Recent research shows that dance/movement therapy can rebuild the connection between an individual and their body, a connection often damaged by addiction. Studies indicate that restoring body awareness and physical sensation plays a vital role in recovery, supporting both emotional healing and long-term treatment success. ^[7]

Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders

A 2025 study comparing aerobic exercise to dance/movement therapy as a complementary treatment for individuals with schizophrenia showed that while both types of movement were beneficial, dance therapy offered unique advantages in terms of improving attention, thinking skills, and verbal memory. ^[8]

Eating Disorders

Body-focused approaches like dance/movement therapy are supported by strong scientific evidence and have been found to offer an effective complementary approach for individuals with eating disorders (ED). By engaging in movement, those in recovery can physically express themselves and safely explore the meaning behind their movements in a therapeutic setting. ^[9]

Autism Spectrum Disorders

A recent study conducted on the benefits of online dance/movement therapy found that the modality offers unique benefits, including promoting a sense of enjoyment, active participation, and brain development in autistic children. Additionally, the paper suggested that DMT may help autistic children manage their emotions and behaviors more effectively. ^[10]

Additional Benefits of Dance Therapy

Beyond mental health, dance therapy offers a wide range of benefits that support general well-being across multiple areas. Research shows that the modality can enhance motor skills and cognitive abilities, while improving body image and interpersonal skills, helping individuals to move more confidently, think more clearly, feel better about their bodies, and connect more effectively with others.

Motor Skills

A 2019 study on dance therapy that was conducted primarily on older adults with Parkinson’s disease shows that dance can improve motor skills, including walking, balance, turning, flexibility, and coordination, along with daily functioning. Dance helps by strengthening muscles and training the mind to coordinate movement with music and body awareness. ^[4]

Cognitive Abilities

A recent meta-analysis showed that dance/movement therapy consistently had a small but significant positive effect on cognitive performance across 41 previous studies. The majority of this research was focused on assessing memory, attention, problem-solving, calculation, language, visualization, and body awareness in older adults. ^[4]

Body Image

Dance therapy has been found to improve self-image by helping individuals reconnect with their bodies and form lasting positive associations with movement. This has the effect of enhancing appreciation of the body and subsequently boosting self-image, while additionally providing coping mechanisms that can reduce body-related anxiety in day-to-day life. ^[6]

Interpersonal Skills

An analysis investigating six studies conducted on how dance therapy affects interpersonal skills (including social interaction and communication) suggests a moderate positive effect, meaning that participants generally showed noticeable improvement in social skills after the intervention. ^[4]

Can Dance Therapy Help with Physical Conditions?

Dance therapy offers a wide range of benefits that contribute to alleviating symptoms in physical and biological issues linked to various health conditions. In other words, it can improve how the body moves and functions while also supporting internal processes such as brain chemistry, hormones, and overall physiological health. ^[11]

Research shows that different types of dance can improve body composition and blood health, along with muscle and joint function, which can have a positive effect on a wide range of physical health conditions. Additionally, dance therapy has been found to reduce pain, boost quality of life, and improve daily functioning for people with fibromyalgia. ^[11]

Other physical benefits include better heart health, balance, and walking speed. Compared with other forms of exercise, dance has been found to be equally as effective, and sometimes even more beneficial, for general physical health. Moreover, studies on combined approaches for managing pain in complex chronic conditions have shown that employing dance therapy as a complementary treatment is more effective than physical therapy alone. ^[11]

How Effective is Dance Therapy?

While further research is required, the current scientific literature suggests that dance therapy, and particularly dance/movement therapy, is an effective complementary treatment across a wide range of mental and physical conditions, offering measurable benefits for depressive and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and autism.

Additionally, numerous studies support improvements in general well-being, including motor skills, cognitive abilities, body image, and interpersonal skills, along with physical and biological health. These findings reflect that dance and DMT generally produced medium to large positive effects on participants, with the most consistent improvements seen in motor skills. ^[4]

More specifically, dance therapy conducted twice weekly for a total duration of 120 minutes over a ten-week period showed substantial benefits, highlighting that even modest engagement can lead to meaningful improvements in holistic health, with benefits generally lasting up to 22 weeks after the intervention. ^{[4] [12]}

Types of Dance Therapy

Dance therapy features a variety of approaches, each with its own focus and method for promoting emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. From introspective practices to structured exercises that enhance body awareness and coordination, dance therapy offers multiple pathways for self-expression, emotional processing, and mind-body integration.

Authentic Movement

This approach emphasizes reflective introspection through movement instead of focusing excessively on technique, aesthetics, or fear of judgment. In authentic movement sessions, participants are encouraged to move freely according to internal impulses, allowing the body to act as a vehicle for emotions and thoughts that may not have consciously surfaced.

Creative Dance/Expressive Movement

This form of dance therapy emphasizes self-expression through spontaneous and imaginative movement. The practice is more outwardly expressive than authentic movement, and centers around playful exploration and creativity, often involving more energy, variety, and interaction with music or props.

Laban/Bartenieff-Based Movement

Laban/Bartenieff-based movement uses structured dance exercises to increase body awareness and coordination, often exploring the dynamics of movement (such as weight, flow, and spatial orientation). The practice is particularly beneficial for individuals who prefer structured guidance while exploring the connection between movement and emotional expression.

Movement Improvisation

Movement improvisation focuses on making use of spontaneous, unplanned dance movements as a means of accessing underlying thoughts, memories, and emotions. This form of dance therapy also encourages the release of pent-up tension while offering a safe space for experimentation and self-discovery.

Somatic Movement

Somatic movement centers around the mind-body connection and involves the integration of thoughts, emotions, sensations, and movement. Through mindfully paying attention to bodily sensations, participants can process emotional experiences, reduce stress, and cultivate greater presence in day-to-day life.

Common Dance Therapy Techniques

Dance therapy techniques make use of both structured and spontaneous movement to promote self-expression, emotional release, awareness, personal growth, and connection with others. These methods can range from reflective practices like introspection to more interactive forms such as mirroring, circle dancing, and tuned walking.

• Mirroring: Paired exercises where one individual’s movement is echoed or reflected by the other to invoke connection, trust, compassion, and emotional validation.
• Movement metaphors: Participants make use of props or symbolic movements to non-verbally express personal challenges or underlying emotions.
• Tuned walking: Clients walk in pairs to themed music or sounds, synchronizing their steps and focusing on bodily sensations to build awareness and connection.
• Group circle dance: Participants dance in a circle to music, gradually synchronizing their movements to promote a sense of unity and collective bonding.
• Meditative techniques: Slow, rhythmic movements designed to relax the mind and enhance the mind-body connection.
• Introspection: Clients observe thoughts and emotions during movement to enhance self-awareness and personal growth.
• Focusing: Participants focus on bodily sensations to become aware of subconscious emotions or experiences and gain insight.
• Jumping rhythms: This technique makes use of rhythmic jumping movements to energize the body and regulate mood.
• Free-form dancing: Clients practice using unstructured movements to release emotions and reduce stress.
• Body tracing: Individuals or pairs outline the body’s shape through touch or vision to invoke grounding and body awareness.
• Guided imagery with movement: Participants combine visualization with movement to promote emotional healing and integration.

What Does a Typical Dance Therapy Session Look Like

Dance therapy sessions typically begin with a verbal check-in or warm-up (eg, gentle stretching, shoulder rolls, shaking out the limbs, etc), or a combination of both. In some cases, a dance therapist and client may collaboratively select a “theme” to explore during the session, either based on the client’s immediate needs or according to a structured program designed by the therapist.

Throughout the session, the therapist gently guides the client or group through various dance techniques, sometimes moving alongside the client or at other times observing from a distance. Dance therapy clients are often encouraged to move freely and create associations (such as visual metaphors to represent internal conflicts or challenges) on the spot.

Clients may also be invited to focus on specific body movements or their breathing to cultivate mindful awareness and maintain present-moment awareness. At the conclusion of the session, the therapist and client engage in a discussion to process the experiences, insights, and emotions that emerged during the movement.

It is important to note that physical fitness is not necessary to participate in dance therapy and experience the practice’s holistic benefits. In fact, the focus of dance therapy is on self-expression and self-discovery, not on performance or dancing skills, and sessions are adapted to each individual’s abilities, allowing everyone to engage safely and comfortably.

Potential Risks

Dance therapy, while generally safe and beneficial for a wide range of mental and physical health conditions, carries a handful of potential risks that require careful consideration. One of the primary concerns is the danger of physical injury, as dance can strain muscles or joints, particularly in individuals with physical limitations or neurological impairments.

Similarly, another possible risk is that of physical or mental fatigue, particularly during rehabilitation or longer dance therapy sessions. These risks are enhanced in cases where a facilitator is not trained in medical or therapeutic techniques, which can lead to improper movement guidance.

Additionally, dance therapy carries the risk of emotional overwhelm, as the modality can bring deep-seated emotions or suppressed traumatic memories to conscious awareness. This potential risk reinforces the importance of only participating in dance therapy under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional.

Furthermore, therapeutic or group relationship challenges and variability in outcomes can influence the effectiveness of dance therapy. In order for dance therapy to successfully support holistic health, it is essential to participate consistently, establish an understanding therapeutic alliance, and benefit from a harmonious group setting.

Things to Consider Before Starting Dance Therapy

In light of the risks that come with dance therapy, the most important consideration before committing to sessions is a potential therapist’s qualifications, experience, and training. Without a trained professional, it is likely that dance therapy may not only be ineffective, but could even worsen mental or physical health conditions.

Other things to consider before starting dance therapy include:

• Do I have a personal goal that might be better supported through an individualized therapeutic approach?
• Am I currently living with a mental health concern that I want to ensure can be safely and effectively addressed during sessions?
• Am I comfortable with the therapeutic approach of the therapist, and does it align with my personal needs and preferences?
• Do I feel safe exploring emotions and bodily sensations in a guided movement setting, and what are my expectations of support should these arise?
• Am I prepared for the possibility that distressing emotions or memories may surface during dance therapy sessions?
• How much time and commitment am I able to dedicate to regular dance therapy sessions?
• Do I have any medical or physical conditions that the therapist should be aware of to ensure safe participation?

What to Look For in a Dance Therapist

Although it is possible to experience a sense of enjoyment or even personal insight when dancing outside of a structured setting, working with a trained DMT therapist is essential for those with mental or physical health concerns. This is due to the fact that licensed dance/movement therapists are trained in evidence-based methods that safely support holistic well-being.

Therefore, when looking for a dance therapist, it is imperative to confirm each candidate’s qualifications and experience. In the United States, credentials such as registered dance/movement therapist (R-DMT) or board-certified dance/movement therapist (BC-DMT) are regulated and serve as verification of the practitioner’s qualifications.

While an R-DMT is qualified to practice dance/movement therapy under supervision and may collaborate with other professionals in clinical settings, a BC-DMT has achieved an advanced level of certification, demonstrating the ability to independently conduct dance therapy assessments, interventions, and evaluations.

To find a qualified dance/movement therapist, the first step is to search online for “dance/movement therapy” along with your location. Once you have a list of potential therapists, it is possible to verify their credentials through the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) directory or your local professional or mental health regulatory body.

Finding a Dance Therapist

Once you have compiled a list of prospective therapists, the next step is to find a professional whose approach and personality align with your personal values and mental or physical health goals. To begin this process, it is a good idea to explore each therapist’s website, starting with the “About” section.

As you review the information about their qualifications, experience, and favored techniques, try to read beyond the surface to gain insight into the therapist’s personal qualities and virtues. To do this, look for indications that they are compassionate, understanding, and genuinely committed to helping others.

This is important as research consistently shows that a strong, trusting connection between a client and therapist is a critical factor in supporting mental health recovery and overall symptom improvement. Another way to approach this evaluation is by reading testimonials or reviews from individuals who have previously engaged in sessions with them.

Additionally, before scheduling an initial consultation, clarify whether the therapist offers individual sessions, group sessions, or both. Following this, determine whether the therapist can customize their techniques to match your personal goals, preferred dance techniques, and unique needs within either individual or group settings.

That being said, it is essential to prioritize the therapist’s training and professional competence to maintain a safe, supportive environment above specific dance therapy approaches. This is due to the fact that while certain techniques may seem more appealing, the primary determinant of successful therapy is the therapist’s skill in supporting emotional release and processing.

Summary

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that uses dance to nurture emotional, cognitive, physical, and social well-being. Rooted in the understanding that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, DMT allows individuals to express emotions nonverbally and sparks self-awareness, catharsis, and emotional processing through movement.

Research demonstrates DMT’s benefits for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and autism, as well as improvements in physical conditions, motor skills, cognitive function, body image, and interpersonal abilities.

Final Thoughts

Dance/movement therapy is a holistic form of psychotherapy that bridges the gap between physical expression and emotional insight. By engaging the body in structured and improvisational dance movements, individuals can access deep-rooted emotions, memories, and cognitive processes that may be difficult to articulate verbally.

The practice not only enhances mental health outcomes (including reductions in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms) but also supports physical well-being, cognitive functioning, and social connection. Its versatility allows it to be applied across diverse populations, from children with autism to adults recovering from substance use disorders.

Additionally, the modality has been found to improve self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. A qualified therapist plays an essential role in the efficacy of DMT by safely guiding participants with both psychiatric and medical health conditions through therapeutic ance movements tailored according to individual needs.

While further research is needed to expand the understanding of its mechanisms and long-term effects, current evidence highlights DMT as a valuable complementary therapy that integrates body, mind, and spirit. Ultimately, dance/movement therapy utilizes the transformative potential of movement as both a tool for self-expression and a pathway to holistic healing.

Author

Star Gorven

Star Gorven is a wellness and mental health writer with a talent for crafting evocative and evidence-based content across a wide range of topics. Her work blends analytical research with imagination and personality, offering thoughtful insights drawn from her exploration of subjects such as psychology, philosophy, spirituality, and holistic wellbeing.

Activity History - Last updated: March 19, 2026, Published date: March 19, 2026

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Reviewer

Geralyn DexterPhD, LMHC

Geralyn Dexter, PhD, LMHC (she/her), is a psychology faculty member, researcher, writer, and licensed therapist with 15 years of experience providing evidence-based care.

Activity History - Medically reviewed on April 4, 2026 and last checked on March 19, 2026