In a current world where mental health issues are increasingly prevalent, a variety of alternative therapeutic methods have been gaining popularity. Specifically, dance therapy, which is the use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, is practiced for the purpose of improving health and well-being (American Dance Therapy Association).
Dance therapy works in a way to emphasize how the body and the mind are connected, and it is through this movement that can release certain emotions. Unlike psychotherapy, where a client and therapist rely on communication, this form of therapy focuses on the actual embodied experience. Studies have shown that physical movement can significantly affect the human brain, releasing different endorphins which can positively affect one’s mood.
According to the American Dance Therapy Association, Dance therapy can help in the treatment of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even eating disorders. Dance therapy allows the body to process emotions that would normally stay trapped in the subconscious, making it an effective tool for individuals who have experienced trauma.
By engaging in not just the mind, but also one’s body and emotions, this method of therapy can be an alternative tool to manage emotions, trauma, or certain coping skills that could be getting in the way of one’s everyday life.
