ABSTRACT
Dance therapies began in the United States when the American Dance Therapy Association was formed in 1966 under the leadership of Marian Chace. Dance or movement can benefit bereaved individuals of all ages, races and ethnicities. It would also be inappropriate for individuals with a physical injury or those who experience pain with movement. Sometimes, thoughts and feelings that may be too difficult to describe in words can be more adequately accessed and portrayed through a movement or series of movements. Movement that is created in the format of dance therapy is typically not presented to the public. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of dance and movement with individuals with developmental, medical, social, physical and psychological impairments. Since grief, loss and end-of-life topics are often addressed by clinicians, exploring one's own feelings about death through movement can be a wonderful self-care activity.
