Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course

Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) or Dance Therapy as it is also known, is the use of bodily movements as a means of expression. It can be used to treat developmental and social issues in individuals, allowing people to also tap into their creative potential. This form of treatment can either be used as a primary treatment, or in conjunction with any other on-going treatments, depending on the needs of the clients. In the UK, it is considered a psychotherapeutic treatment because of its proven ability to help support emotional, intellectual and motor functions by body movements. DMP is a form of expressive therapy where the individual is able to express their inner emotions and feelings through dancing. It not only helps the body refresh itself by expressing one’s emotions but also helps by physically de-stressing the body.

In this course, you will learn about DMP and understand how DMP was conceived, evolved and modified to suit its use. The Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course will help you build an in-depth understanding of the correlation between the dance steps and their impact on the body. You will learn about the various styles of DMP, so that you may find the style that is best-suited to you and those that you may work with.

Who Would Benefit from the Course?

Ideal for complete beginners to the field of Dance Movement Psychotherapy, this course has been designed to supply all the information needed to those who are considering taking up this practice as a career. Students are provided with an in-depth understanding about the purpose and applications of this therapy, as well as of the role of a Dance Movement Psychotherapist, before deciding to commit themselves, financially and time-wise, to a full qualification.

For existing therapists, psychologists, therapists, teachers, counsellors, coaches, carers, nurses, social workers and parents, the Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course will improve upon the knowledge that they already possess and provide some new skills in this area.

The course would also be very beneficial to those who may have friends or family undergoing this form of treatment and would like to get a comprehensive understanding of what it entails and what the benefits are.

Dance Movement Psychotherapy as a Career

To work as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist, the minimum educational qualification required for entry to the profession is a completed postgraduate Masters level diploma in Dance Movement Therapy, awarded by a UK university that has been formally recognised by ADMP.

What You'll Learn from the Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course

1. Dance Movement Psychotherapy
2. Diversity in DMP
3. Therapy Fundamentals
4. Becoming a Dance Therapist
5. What Would You Need?
6. Work Ethic
7. Performing DMP
8. Becoming a Dance Movement Psychotherapist?
9. Application of Dance Movement Physiotherapy
10. Course Overview

Introducing students to the course, module 1 outlines what Dance Movement Psychotherapy is and what its uses are. This includes explanations on how it is implemented and how it compares with other therapies, as well as a little of the practice’s history, some recent case studies on DMP’s effectiveness, and how, in brief terms, a session may be performed.

The 2nd module expands on the explanation of what DMP is, by focussing on how and what it can be used to treat, the different styles and techniques that make up the practice, how it differs from regular dancing, and how it can benefit vastly different types of clients in very different ways.

Module 3 describes particular sessions and methods that are used within Dance Movement Psychotherapy to help clients with particular problems and to aid them in overcoming them. As therapists in this area are asking their clients to use movement in their sessions, there are risks attached that they need to be mindful of, these are also outlined in this module.

With the theory out the way and with students having a good grasp of what the therapy can do and how it should be used, the course moves on to explain how to perform Dance Movement Psychotherapy. The 4th module teaches students about the things they need to consider when moving into this career and of the demands of the job that they must be willing to undertake to be successful, such as regular practice and gaining experience.

Module 5 of the course explains various movements and dance types and how they can help clients to express certain things. The module also discusses particular conditions and states of mind, and explains what and how various techniques can help with these.

As a therapist, it is important that you are professional in your practice and fully understand your role. The 6th module of the Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course talks students through several important areas that you need to know about if you are to see clients professionally. This includes understanding not only the applications of this form of therapy but also its limitations, the ethical guidelines, responsibilities and duties you need to be aware of, confidentiality issues, and managing your relationships with, and expectations of, your clients.

Outlining how you would begin to treat new clients by describing a step-by-step process, module 7 gives you an idea about how you would start your own Dance Movement Psychotherapy practice after undergoing further training. In addition to this, the module also explains just how flexible this therapy is when compared to others, its ability to adapt easily and quickly to suit client’s needs.

The 8th module of the course provides students with a road map to follow, should they wish to pursue a career as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist. This includes information on the qualifications needed, skills required, what would be expected of you, gaining expertise and receiving ongoing training/study. An important thing to continue to do once you are in the profession, and when learning about it initially, is to read case studies. These provide extremely valuable insight into how other professionals have successfully treated clients and will help your own practice. With this in mind, this module ends with an in-depth case study for students to follow.

As previously mentioned, DMP can have very broad, but also very targeted, applications. The 9th module focusses in on how this type of therapy can help children with developmental disabilities and learning difficulties, such as cerebral palsy and autism.

The 10th module gives students time to absorb all they have learnt from the Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course, as it summarises and concludes on what has come before. It then guides you in the next steps to take in gaining a career in this area.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course will take you up to 150 hours to complete working from home. There is no time limit for completing this course, it can be studied in your own time at your own pace. The course comes with a course assessment in the form of quizzes, written questions and short essays, once you have completed your course assessment please email or post it back to us for marking, you will then receive your feedback and certificates.

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Certificate of completion

Digital certificate - Included