A movement therapist uses dance as a creative outlet to help people grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Movement therapists can work in either a private practice or a community setting. People who require the services of a movement therapist may be dealing with behavioral or emotional issues, as well as developmental delays. Individual movement therapy programs are planned, executed, and evaluated movement therapists.
Although group movement therapy programs are common, the movement therapist must keep track of each individual’s progress to ensure that his or her therapeutic needs are met within the group setting. In prisons, hospitals, schools, senior homes, or their own businesses, movement therapists may conduct group or individual movement therapy sessions. Physical therapists are usually employed community organizations if they work in community settings, but they are more likely to be self-employed if they work in their own business. A movement therapist may work as part of a team with other types of therapists who are involved in a client’s care.
When a movement therapist starts working with a new client, the first task is to create a therapy program that will address the client’s condition, such as a physical injury, mental impairment, or substance abuse issue. Clients are then taught and trained how to express their feelings and thoughts through movements to music movement therapists. When creating movement therapy programs, they consider the music and dance styles that their clients prefer.
Throughout the movement therapy program, movement therapists must assess their clients’ progress. They’ve been taught to analyze a client’s mental and emotional state based on his or her physical movements. A movement therapist works with clients to help them learn new movements. They usually devote time to learning about new developments in movement therapy.
A movement therapist is also known as a dance movement psychotherapist. Dance movement psychotherapists or movement therapists are part of the creative arts therapists profession. They are educated and trained therapists, not producers or coaches who help people improve their skills to work in the professional music or dance industry. Before working professionally as a movement therapist, you may need to complete up to six years of college and training.