Dance Movement Therapy in 60093
Biana Mavasheva
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC, QMHP
Verified Verified
Northfield, IL 60093 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
I’m grateful to have this opportunity to connect with you. The therapeutic process is a sacred journey. Here we can share in a safe, non-judgmental place. If we have suffered addiction, anxiety, depression or trauma we can uncover the aspects of ourselves that need healing. The quality of our lives is directly connected to the quality of our relationships - with ourselves and with others. When our relationships are suffering, everything is impacted. For that reason, in our therapy sessions we explore whatever is unfolding in your relationships and we discover how to bring awareness and skill to these crucial connections.
I’m grateful to have this opportunity to connect with you. The therapeutic process is a sacred journey. Here we can share in a safe, non-judgmental place. If we have suffered addiction, anxiety, depression or trauma we can uncover the aspects of ourselves that need healing. The quality of our lives is directly connected to the quality of our relationships - with ourselves and with others. When our relationships are suffering, everything is impacted. For that reason, in our therapy sessions we explore whatever is unfolding in your relationships and we discover how to bring awareness and skill to these crucial connections.
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Dance Movement Therapy
What can I expect from dance/movement therapy?
During dance therapy, the therapist will guide the client through dance movements that metaphorically represent a particular challenge, reflect their internal emotional state, or otherwise express physically what is happening for the client mentally. The therapist may “mirror” the client’s movements or simply observe. The client may be encouraged, as they dance, to pay attention to their breath or other physical sensations. Afterward, the therapist and client will often debrief to help the client process the experience.
Is dance/movement therapy evidence-based?
A small body of research has found that dance therapy can help treat conditions like depression, PTSD, anxiety, and eating disorders, as well as nonclinical issues like low self-esteem or family conflict. However, some experts caution that the evidence in favor of dance therapy is not as robust as that of other, more established therapies, and some of the published research is of low quality. Many recommend that dance therapy be used as a complementary rather than stand-alone treatment.
Can dance therapy help with depression?
Some research suggests that dance/movement therapy can aid in the treatment of depression, especially when combined with other therapies; some studies, for example, report that dance therapy combined with antidepressants or talk therapy is more effective than those treatments alone. The positive effects of dance therapy may come from the movement itself, as it’s well-known that physical activity can improve mood and bolster motivation in those struggling with depression.
What are the limitations of dance therapy?
People with disabilities or other conditions that hinder movement may find it more challenging to participate in dance therapy, though a well-trained therapist will take a client’s physical limitations into account when designing a treatment plan. Experts also warn that certain conditions, particularly eating disorders, should never be treated with dance therapy alone; it may, however, be used as an adjunct therapy.