Moving regularly is an investment in your mind, body, and soul. One of the more expressive ways to integrate movement into your eating disorder recovery is through dance therapy.

What Is Dance/Movement Therapy?

Defined, dance/movement therapy (DMT) in the United States is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance to support the intellectual, emotional, and motor functions of the body.

As a form of expressive therapy, DMT looks at the correlation between movement and emotion.

Also called “movement psychotherapy” there is no single fixed type of movement style used within this therapeutic exposure.

Programs range from traditional dances like ballroom to more subtle forms of movement like yoga and stretching to calm the body.

It’s important to note that a DMT licensed practitioner would lead a session within a therapeutic setting.

Therapy sessions are focused on movement behavior as it comes forward through the guided session.

Through this exposure, a therapist will use movement to help a client achieve emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration.

The benefits include stress reduction and mood management.

Within eating disorder recovery, it can also help improve body image and self-esteem.

Founded within the idea that motion and emotion are interconnected, this creative expression can also help improve communication skills for better relationships.

Movement can express aspects of a personality that a licensed therapist can be in tune with for a deeper connection in recovery therapy.