Foundations of Dance Movement Therapy

Presentation

Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is a body-mediated form of psychotherapy that uses dance and movement as the primary means of communication, expression and psychological transformation. It differs from artistic or recreational dance through its structured therapeutic framework, the presence of a trained therapist, and the goal of psychological change.

Recognized by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) since 1966, DMT rests on the fundamental premise that body and mind are inseparable: any change in movement patterns produces a corresponding shift in psychological dynamics, and vice versa. The therapist observes, accompanies and sometimes mirrors the patient's movements to facilitate the emergence of unconscious material, emotional regulation and restoration of the body-mind connection.

Core principle: movement reflects internal emotional patterns; by modifying movement, one can transform the psychic experience.

History and Pioneers

Modern dance therapy emerged in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s, championed by several pioneers who each developed distinct approaches:

• Marian Chace (1896-1970) — Considered the founding mother of dance therapy. A professional dancer at the Denishawn School, she noticed students were more interested in personal expression than technique. From 1942, she worked at St. Elizabeths psychiatric hospital in Washington D.C. with psychotic patients, developing group movement as a tool for non-verbal communication. Her four key concepts are: body action, symbolism, therapeutic movement relationship and rhythmic group activity.
• Mary Starks Whitehouse (1911-1979) — Trained under Mary Wigman and Martha Graham, she integrated Jungian psychology into her body work and developed what became Authentic Movement. Her approach focuses on inner listening and spontaneous movement arising from the unconscious.
• Trudi Schoop (1903-1999) — Swiss comedian and dancer who used humour, imitation and body structuring in her work with psychiatric patients at Camarillo State Hospital in California.

The ADTA was founded in 1966, professionalizing the discipline. In Europe, the European Association Dance Movement Therapy (EADMT) has structured training and recognition since the 1990s.

Laban Movement Analysis

Laban Movement Analysis (LMA), developed by Rudolf Laban (1879-1958), is a foundational observation framework in DMT structured around four categories:

• Body: which body parts move, bodily connections, developmental patterns.
• Effort (Dynamics): the dynamic qualities of movement across four factors — Weight (strong/light), Time (sudden/sustained), Space (direct/indirect) and Flow (free/bound). Combinations create eight basic effort actions.
• Space: how movement uses space — kinesphere, levels, directions, planes.
• Shape: how the body changes form — Shape Flow, Directional and Carving modes.

In therapeutic practice, the therapist uses LMA to assess a patient's movement repertoire, identify restricted or absent patterns, and guide work toward expanding expressive capacities.

Therapeutic Indications

• Anxiety disorders and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Schizophrenia (complementary to medication)
• Relational difficulties and social isolation
• Body image disturbances
• Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases
• Chronic pain and fibromyalgia
• Childhood developmental and behavioural disorders
• Cancer support (body image, emotional management)
• Burnout and professional exhaustion

Contraindications

• Acute unstabilized psychotic episodes
• Acute musculoskeletal injuries (modify movements)
• Severe unmanaged dissociative states
• Uncontrolled severe cardiac conditions
• Patient's explicit refusal of body-based work

Dance therapy does not replace medical or psychiatric treatment; it serves as a complementary approach.