Dance & movement therapy for mental health

Dance and movement therapy (DMT) uses movement to explore emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration.

Sessions create a space for individuals to explore their feelings through their bodies which can lead to emotional releases or insights that may be hard to access through verbal communication alone.

Depending on individual needs and preferences, DMT can be short or long term, it can be the key therapy or as a supporting modality to talking therapies.

Dance movement therapy creates an enactive space to embody different ways of being, reframe the issues that are beyond control and increase the window of tolerance.

The therapist supports participants by moving with them in reciprocal improvisation using mirroring and rhythmic movement.

Participants strengthen their mind-body connection and achieve mastery, leading to a stronger sense of identity, increased self-efficacy and self-esteem.

Verbal processing is optional.

Current Programs

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Benefits of dance on mental health

Reconnect with your body

When you are struggling with mental health you are often struggling with your nervous system. When you are in a fight, flight or freeze response (or a combination of these) you may not feel safe in your body. Do you feel disconnected? Heavy? Trapped? Stuck?

Dance and movement therapy can help process these sensations and find safety in the body before you try to put your feelings into words.

Practice moving freely, play with movement and find comfort in yourself.

Try out and practice self- regulation techniques to bring you down when you are escalating or bring you up when you are sinking.

Repair communication skills

Up to 80% of communication is nonverbal. As relational beings, we use and interpret gestures, actions and facial expressions to underpin spoken language.

When you are struggling with mental health issues there can be a block in this reciprocity leading to misunderstanding and/or compounding of negative self-talk.

Dance and movement therapy can help you to unlock the nuances of communication.

Explore different ways of moving, how they feel and what they can mean.

Practice appropriate physical expression of your needs and preferences.

Identify and understand emotions in other people.

Rediscover yourself

Exploring the self through movement empowers you to rediscover your preferences and values.

Find safety in the body by connecting with its natural rhythms (breath, heartbeat).

Understand the possibilities of being through exploration of movement.

Achieve mastery over emotions by with connecting through movement.

Activation of body parts and exploration of range of movement increases the awareness of the body in space. This can be expanded to consider awareness of self in the world.

Empower yourself

Mental health diagnoses, manic episodes, periods of intense stress, depression and/or anxiety can really knock your confidence.

The enactive space created in dance and movement therapy sessions allows you to safely test and practice different ways of being at your own pace.

Realise your capacity and increase self confidence by making and repeating movement sequences.

Test and improve cognitive function by playing games, working with others and using props.

Practice choice and decision making by making sequences and telling stories through movement

Connect with others

Dancing with others builds reciprocal relationships and fosters the feeling of belonging within the group.

Mirroring movements and leading others in movement, creates nonverbal connection and increases social confidence.

You will find shared experiences and values and find new ways of moving that you didn't think you could do.

Understanding other people's ways of moving and being will strengthen your ability to interact confidently in the wider community.

Common outcomes include

Improved emotional regulation

Readiness to verbally process

Organisational and decision making skills

Increased expressive capacity or control

Ability to self-motivate

Reduced anxiety

A clearer sense of purpose and improved quality of life

How to get moving