Therapists in 98104
Julie Marinucci
Counselor, MHP, LMHCA, R-DMT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Seattle, WA 98104
Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT), uses creative expression and exploration as a way to support your connection to yourself and others as you navigate environments and relationships.
What is your body telling you? Do you or your child/teen ever have that heart-beating fast, sweaty palms, knees shaking, upset stomach, foggy brain feeling? Ever notice these feelings during social events, big life decisions or transitions, in relationships or in particularly overwhelming environments? Do these sensations ever result in feelings of being discouraged, exhausted and preferring to be alone? These are just a few examples of how our bodies can communicate overwhelm or overstimulation of a lived experience. Our mind-body connection can make a huge impact in our ability to regulate and manage these sensations.
Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT), uses creative expression and exploration as a way to support your connection to yourself and others as you navigate environments and relationships.
What is your body telling you? Do you or your child/teen ever have that heart-beating fast, sweaty palms, knees shaking, upset stomach, foggy brain feeling? Ever notice these feelings during social events, big life decisions or transitions, in relationships or in particularly overwhelming environments? Do these sensations ever result in feelings of being discouraged, exhausted and preferring to be alone? These are just a few examples of how our bodies can communicate overwhelm or overstimulation of a lived experience. Our mind-body connection can make a huge impact in our ability to regulate and manage these sensations.
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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.