Dance/Movement Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities: Based on the empirically supported premise that the body, mind and spirit are interconnected, the American Dance Therapy Association defines dance/movement therapy as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual.

Dance/movement therapy is:

• Focused on movement behavior as it emerges in the therapeutic relationship.  Expressive, communicative, and adaptive behaviors are all considered for group and individual treatment.  Body movement, as the core component of dance, simultaneously provides the means of assessment and the mode of intervention for dance/movement therapy.
• Is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational and forensic settings, and in nursing homes, day care centers, disease prevention, health promotion programs and in private practice.
• Is effective for individuals with developmental, medical, social, physical and psychological impairments.
• Is used with people of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds in individual, couples, family and group therapy formats.

Salary: Average earnings for dance/movement therapists are generally higher because entry into the profession requires a higher level of education. In 2004, the average earnings of dance/movement therapists generally ranged closer to $40,000 - $50,000 a year, with some earning $60,000 - $80,000 a year or more.

EducationThe ADTA approves programs that meet the requirements stated in the ADTA Standards for Graduate Dance/Movement Therapy Programs. Graduates of approved programs meet all professional requirements for the Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT) credential.

Reflection: this would be a cool job to work as because you are expressing yourself in dancing and moving.