ABSTRACT
Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a creative arts therapy specialty discipline and a mind/body integrated approach to counseling and psychotherapy. Expressive and qualitative aspects of movement and dance are emphasized over functional aspects, with overall goals typically focused on psychological, emotional, social and relational health and well-being. Dance/movement therapists combine verbal and non-verbal communication and they build therapeutic relationships which provide a safe, supportive environment for exploration of life’s challenges. This chapter offers a brief discussion of purported therapeutic mechanisms of DMT and includes examples from neuroscientific and biological perspectives. The author offers ideas for research inquiry suitable for undergraduate projects.
