Dance and Movement Therapy - What is it?
Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance to support intellectual, emotional, and motor functions of the body. As a form of expressive and creative therapy, DMT looks at the correlation between movement and emotion. It offers individuals of all ages and abilities a space to explore what drives them, assisting people to develop self-awareness, sensitivity to others and also to find a pathway to feeling more comfortable in their own bodies.
A therapist will use movement as an outlet for mind and body expression and this sets it apart from traditional oral therapies. DMT helps a client achieve emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration. Some benefits include stress reduction and mood management. It could also help improve body image and self-esteem. Founded within the idea that motion and emotion are interconnected, this creative expression can also help improve communication skills for better relationships.
DMT can be adapted to a variety of settings and is a tool beneficial to anybody and everybody. Research has found that using dance and movement as a form of therapy activates several brain functions at once: kinaesthetic, rational, musical, and emotional making it one of the most beneficial therapeutic tools. Diagnoses we work with, can include but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, autism, eating disorders, amongst others. Any individuals who would like to improve an area in their life can benefit from such therapy.
At MOVE, sessions can be held on one-to-one basis or in a group setting, and they vary greatly depending on the dance/ movement therapist, the client, as well as their wishes and needs.
Should you want to book a session, are curious to know more, or have any questions regarding this kind of therapy, we’d love to hear from you.
Photo by Josef Degabriele
Ms Sarah Vella, Dance and Movement Therapist
Sarah Vella is a speech and language pathologist (Bsc. Hons), dance/ movement therapist (BTD), Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie (HeilPrG) and dance artist/choreographer from Malta, based in Berlin, Germany. She studied Communication Therapy at undergraduate level at the University of Malta (2006-2010) and she has been awarded a Diploma in Dance Studies from Laban Conservatoire of Dance, London.
Since 2013, Sarah has been working as a speech and language pathologist in private practices, Kindergartens and schools. In 2018, Sarah completed her studies in Dance/ Movement Therapy from Tanztherapie Zentrum Berlin.
